Chief People Officer

The Organisation
SSI Australia is one of Australia's most impactful for-purpose organisations, proudly ranking in the top 4% of charities nationwide. With over 1,100 employees, SSI supports newcomers and other Australians to achieve their full potential. SSI works with all people who have experienced vulnerability, including refugees, people seeking asylum, people with disability and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, to build capacity and ensure everyone has access to equal opportunities.

SSI is in a period of major growth and evolution with significant new opportunities, expanded client groups and national initiatives. Looking forward with a strengthened strategic agenda, SSI is well-positioned to amplify its reach and impact across Australia.

The opportunity
Following an organisation-wide design review and ongoing digital and workforce transformation, SSI is now seeking a future-focused Chief People Officer to help shape its next era of growth, capability and innovation. As a key member of SSI's Executive Leadership Team, the Chief People Officer (CPO) will lead the strategic direction and operational excellence of all people-related functions. The CPO will ensure SSI attracts, develops and retains a diverse, capable and engaged workforce aligned with its mission, values and community impact goals.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and leading a multifaceted People & Culture directorate, the CPO will:

• Drive SSI's workforce of the future strategy, including AI-driven workforce planning and digital transformation initiatives.
• Lead talent acquisition, retention, succession planning and leadership capability building across a large, diverse workforce.
• Champion culture, inclusion and wellbeing, embedding DEI principles into all people practices.
• Oversee WHS and psychosocial safety, ensuring proactive risk management and compliance.
• Enhance the employee experience, strengthen SSI's signature induction program and lead organisational change and transformation.
• Oversee people operations, policy development, compliance, remuneration and performance frameworks.
• Lead the design and delivery of SSI's executive and emerging leadership development programs.

This role offers the opportunity to shape an organisation-wide transformation and position SSI as a future-ready, digitally fluent and purpose-driven employer of choice.

About you
You are a seasoned People & Culture executive with experience leading complex workforces across large organisations across a diverse background (not-for-profit, corporate and government). You bring a strategic, forward-thinking approach to people leadership and a passion for building inclusive and high-performing workplace cultures. The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Extensive executive HR leadership experience with a track record of driving workforce, culture and capability transformation.
• Strong expertise in workforce planning, talent management, leadership development and succession planning.
• Deep knowledge of DEI, WHS and employee wellbeing best practice, with experience building culturally safe and inclusive environments.
• Proven capability leading major organisational change initiatives and influencing at CEO, Board and Executive levels.
• Strong understanding of industrial relations, compliance and contemporary people operations.
• Experience applying technology and AI to enhance workforce strategy, capability and employee experience.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.

SSI's Commitment to Diversity
SSI strives to be an inclusive workplace for all people. SSI recognises that they operate in a diverse community and welcome and encourage applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, the LGBTIQ+ community, veterans, refugees and people with disability.

SSI has a zero tolerance for child abuse and is committed to creating and maintaining a child safe organisation where protecting children and preventing and responding to child abuse is embedded in the everyday thinking and practice of all employees, contractors and volunteers. All employees will undergo a National Police Clearance and a Working with Children Check as a condition of employment.

SSI is a Disability Confident Recruiter, and Orchard Talent can provide alternative formats to apply, make adjustments to the recruitment process and offer information about workplace adjustments and support networks. Please contact Orchard Talent if you require adjustments.

How to Apply
For a confidential discussion or role-related enquiries, please contact Simon Wybenga or Christine O'Donnell of The Orchard Talent Group at

. To apply, please submit your current CV via the link. Applicants must have the legal right to work in Australia.

Applications close 7th December.
The Orchard Talent Group acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work. We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging, for they hold the memories, traditions, culture and hopes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.