Head of Human Resources

The Australian National Maritime Museum is seeking an enthusiastic and highly experienced leader to join the Human Resources team as Head of Human Resources in this full-time Executive Level 2 position with a possibility of ongoing or temporary transfer with possibility of permanency.

This is a non-ongoing, Sydney based role. Part time or flexible working arrangement may be considered for the right candidate.

About the Australian National Maritime Museum

As one of Sydney's most visited museums, the Australian National Maritime Museum shares our national maritime story across Australia and the world, online, onsite and through research, presentations and travelling exhibitions, and provides must-visit museum experiences that delight and inspire.

We connect our visitors with the oceans and waterways that are the heartbeat of who we are. From deep time to modern Australian and beyond, we explore our past, our present and future as an island nation shaped by sea, offering a sustainable and cohesive vision for the future. 

The Museum welcomes over 2.5 million local, interstate and international visitors annually, and is supported by a thriving and passionate staff, membership, volunteer and education base. Find out more at

About the Role

The Head of Human Resources is a strategic leadership role responsible for leading and managing a broad range of human resources activities and functions. The Head of Human Resources is a trusted advisor to the Executive Leadership Team providing strategic and professional support and advice. This position leads a broad range of human resources functions, ensuring effective workforce planning, employee engagement, performance management, learning and development and employee relations. This role is responsible for ensuring appropriate frameworks, policies and procedures are in place to support APS compliant practices across the Museum. The role involves both strategic leadership (such as developing HR strategies aligned with organisational goals and providing expert advice on complex HR cases) and operational responsibilities (such as managing staff, overseeing recruitment, and implementing retention strategies). 

Please note: This recruitment process is intended to fill both current and future vacancies. While the position on offer is non-ongoing, a merit pool of suitable applicants may be established to fill similar ongoing and non-ongoing positions within the next 18 months.

Key Accountabilities

In accordance with Executive Level 2 work level standards, key accountabilities of the role are:

• Provide leadership and support, with a focus on continuous improvement and development of the function, to the HR Team and broader staff base at the Museum.

• Manage, deliver and provide expert, compliant and contemporary HR advice on a range of HR functions including:

• Cultural Change

• Performance Management
• Learning and Development
• Staff Wellbeing
• Recruitment and Retention Strategies
• Employee Relations

• Workforce Analytics

• Support, develop and lead the implementation of best practice HR policies, systems and processes.

• Provide evidence based and legislatively compliant advice to support decision making for members of the Museum's Executive and Leadership Teams, Council and Audit and Risk Committee.
• Ensure a continuous improvement focus for the HR function in order to develop and advance best practice approaches in a changing environment.

Selection Criteria

The successful candidate will demonstrate their capacity against the following:

1. Results-driven, agile, hands-on change agent with the maturity, commitment and confidence to assume a leadership role and drive cultural change in an evolving complex environment.
2. Demonstrated expertise and extensive experience in strategic HR operations covering all aspects of human resource management i.e. planning and policy, talent management, selection, compensation, benefits, training and staff development, employee relations, and performance management.
3. Excellent communication skills - written, verbal and interpersonal – with the ability to drive change and influence senior leadership.
4. Proven ability to work effectively and with integrity within a politically sensitive environment and to foster trust and cooperation and build strong and collegiate relationships with staff at all levels.
5. Current knowledge and understanding of regulations, industry trends, current practices, new developments, and applicable laws, as they apply to APS agencies and an ability to identify and manage organisational risks in the HR space.

Qualifications and/or relevant experience required

Mandatory:

• Bachelor's degree in business, corporate governance and risk, human resources or equivalent experience.

Desirable:

• Post Graduate Human Resources qualification and/or AHRI membership highly regarded.

When applying via our online e-recruitment system, please provide a written application addressing each Selection Criteria. Your current resume is also to be included in your application.

In addition to an application and your resume, the assessment process for this position may also include an interview and referee reports.

Applications Close: 11:30pm AEST, Wednesday 3 September 2025. No Applications will be accepted by mail or email. 

Please note interviews are expected to be conducted week commencing 8 September

Selection for this position will be made on the basis of relative merit which will be assessed against each item of the selection criteria. Applications that do not address the selection criteria will not be considered for shortlisting by the Selection Panel. As part of the selection process the Selection Panel may invite candidates to undertake online testing, skills-based assessment and provide samples of written work at interview. 

This position is open to all eligible members of the community, and we welcome and encourage applications from people with disability, the LGBTIQ+ communities, from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. To be an eligible member of the community, you must be an Australian citizen. Applications may be accepted from Australian permanent residents who are in the process of acquiring Australian citizenship. All employees will be required to satisfactorily complete an Australian Federal Police National Police Check and obtain and maintain a Working with Children Check registration.

RecuitAbility

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information see: RecruitAbility | Australian Public Service Commission )