Principal Advisor HR Policy

Together we shape thriving communities, public spaces, places and economies.

• Lead the design and related advice of integrated HR frameworks that directly influence organisational performance through capability, leadership and culture
• Ongoing Full-time opportunity (35 hours/5 days per week)
• NSW office location negotiable with flexible working supported
• Salary relative to experience, and ranges from $149,740.00 to $173,173.00 plus super

What's in it for me?

Join our team for a fantastic culture with dynamic collaboration and genuine long-term career support. We offer flexibility in work arrangements, diverse and fulfilling assignments, and prioritise work/life balance and wellbeing with initiatives like flex leave and access to support programs. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome, respected, and empowered to succeed.

The role

The Principal Advisor HR Policy sits at the heart of our People & Culture Division, providing strategic and operational advice to the Executive Director, People & Culture. It's a critical conduit between senior leadership and the broader Department by shaping integrated workforce policy, ensuring the Executive Director is equipped with timely, well-informed insights to drive effective decision-making and provide advice to senior stakeholders to guide division level planning and performance.

This role demands democratic leadership, sound judgement, and the ability to navigate politically sensitive and high-impact matters with confidentiality and agility. With a whole-of-division lens, it leads the generation of integrated workforce policy strategies, development of integrated People & Culture advice on complex workforce matters, authoring of complex briefs, and management of division wide risk – all while adapting quickly to shifting priorities and tight deadlines and building strong relationships across the Department.

For more information read the full Role Description: Principal Advisor HR Policy

What you will bring to the role

• Strong problem-solving abilities to navigate complex challenges and adapt to evolving situations.
• Capable of driving outcomes while effectively involving stakeholders throughout the process, fostering collaboration and buy-in.
• Outstanding stakeholder engagement skills, fostering strong relationships and ensuring alignment with diverse stakeholders to achieve outcomes.
• Enjoys autonomy and demonstrates proficiency in working independently, taking initiative, and making decisions.
• Provides strategic, whole-of-division insight to inform executive decision-making and shape workforce policy across the department.
• Demonstrates sound judgement and political acumen when managing sensitive issues under tight timeframes.
• Ability to coordinate high-quality briefs and reporting, ensuring senior leaders are equipped with timely, actionable information.
• Insight to translate complex data into clear recommendations to support planning, risk management, and performance improvement.

Key knowledge and experience

• Proven ability to exercise sound judgement, particularly in matters of great political sensitivity, strict confidentiality and/or potential controversy.
• Practical knowledge of the working of government and its processes.
• Demonstrated experience in senior human resources position responsible for policy development and expert guidance.
• Demonstrated ability to respond effectively to evolving situations, showing adaptability and readiness to adjust strategies as needed.

Essential requirements

• Degree in a relevant discipline or relevant senior experience.

About us

The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) improves the liveability and prosperity of NSW. To achieve this, we: create vibrant, productive spaces and precincts; manage lands, assets and property effectively and deliver affordable and diverse housing. We strive to be a high-performing, world-class public service organisation that celebrates and reflects the full diversity of the community we serve and builds the cultural capability of our department to improve outcomes with and for Aboriginal people, communities and entities.

We are an inclusive and accessible workplace, where your individual contributions are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to feel a sense of connection and belonging. DPHI supports various employee affinity groups, practices flexible working, offers job share and workplace adjustments.

Join us

If excited by the information above, we look forward to receiving your application, including a copy of your resume and cover letter expressing your suitability for the role and outlining in 200 words or less your experience in developing and analysing policy and strategy within a large organisation.

Applications close Thursday, 23 October 2025 at 11:55PM. Should you require further information about the role, please contact Lorin Carmody, Director, Talent Acquisition & Strategy on

To enhance your account security, PageUp is introducing two-factor authentication (2FA). You can follow the step by step guide here. If you experience any issues please reach out on HR Support, option 2, DPHI People Advisory, option 1.

A talent pool may be created for ongoing and temporary opportunities of the same role or role type that may become available over the next 18 months.

Please note to be eligible to apply for this position you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, or hold a valid Australian working Visa for the duration of the appointment.

We encourage and support applications from people with disability. Please reach out to us to discuss any accommodations or adjustments that may be needed during the recruitment process, ensuring that you have every opportunity to showcase your talent, skills, and potential. Contact the Talent Team via or HR Support, option 2, DPHI People Advisory, option 1 and reference 'Request an Adjustment - Job Title and Reference Number'.

Check out our Aboriginal applicants guide to assist with applying for the role or contact our Aboriginal Career pathways team for a yarn.