Strategic Workforce Planning Consultant

At Scyne, we are public purpose sector specialists who support governments and their agencies, and not-for-profit organisations, to deliver services to Australians, helping to build more resilient, equitable, secure and prosperous communities. We are guided by our values of Stronger Together, Amplify Impact, Build Trusted Relationships, Value Every Person, Think Beyond Limits, and Defined by Ethics.

Our purpose-driven professionals provide clients with access to the skills, capabilities and expertise to support the delivery of government agendas and public purpose projects, with specialist teams across three national practices:

• Transformation
• Risk, Programs and Cyber
• Commercial, Financial and Infrastructure

Our Transformation Practice brings together the skills and capabilities to support our clients to address their big agendas and deliver transformation programs. We are looking for passionate individuals with diverse backgrounds who can bring new perspectives to support our clients to address critical challenges.

We are seeking a Strategic Workforce Planning Consultant to join our Change & Capability Team in Canberra. This leadership role is an opportunity to shape the Defence workforce of the future, working directly with senior Defence stakeholders to address capability gaps, design workforce strategies, and implement initiatives that drive long-term organisational success.

This role will suit an accomplished leader who thrives at the intersection of workforce strategy, organisational change, and Defence capability planning.

Mandatory Requirements: These positions require you to have Australian Citizenship along with NV1 clearance (or the ability to obtain) to support work with Defence. For more information, please go to

As a leader of our Team your key responsibilities will include:

• Provide Strategic Leadership: Lead the design and implementation of enterprise-wide workforce planning frameworks aligned with Defence capability priorities and long-term strategic objectives.
• Shape National Workforce Strategies: Influence government policy and senior Defence decision-making through workforce insights, scenario planning, and evidence-based recommendations.
• Drive Capability Development: Champion initiatives that build critical workforce skills, enhance agility, and prepare organisations for future operational demands.
• Leverage Advanced Analytics: Oversee sophisticated modelling, forecasting, and workforce analytics to provide insights that inform investment and capability planning.
• Governance and Performance Oversight: Establish and maintain governance frameworks, KPIs, and reporting mechanisms to ensure accountability and measure workforce effectiveness.
• Executive Stakeholder Engagement: Build trusted relationships with Defence and Federal Government executives, providing strategic advice that shapes workforce policy, investment, and capability outcomes.
• Integrate Workforce Planning Across Functions: Ensure alignment of workforce planning with HR, finance, operations, and capability programs for holistic delivery.
• Lead Communication and Change: Shape communication strategies that engage stakeholders and embed workforce transformation across Defence organisations.
• Mentor and Build Capability: Provide thought leadership, coaching, and knowledge transfer to uplift the capability of clients and internal teams.
• Champion Innovation and Best Practice: Introduce new methodologies, digital workforce solutions, and global best practice to continuously enhance outcomes.

Experience and Qualifications

• 15 years' senior leadership experience in workforce strategy, workforce planning, or organisational design within Defence, Federal Government, or complex consulting environments.
• Demonstrated success leading workforce planning initiatives at an enterprise or government level.
• Strong executive engagement skills with the ability to influence senior Defence leaders and policy makers.
• Advanced analytical skills with deep experience in forecasting, modelling, and evidence-based decision support.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Human Resources, Organisational Psychology, Business, or a related discipline.
• NV1 or higher Security Clearance (or ability to obtain).

Desirable

• Professional certifications in Strategic Workforce Planning (SWP), Change Management (e.g., Prosci, CCMP), or Project/Program Management (e.g., PRINCE2, Agile) are highly regarded.

• Market leading Parental Leave: Allows either carer to take 26 weeks of leave, flexibly, until a child is two years of age. A six-month minimum service requirement for new starters applies. We also make full superannuation contributions for up to 12 months (including unpaid parental leave).
• Flex working: Our people have the autonomy to choose where and when they work so they can integrate their professional and personal lives, finding the right balance that fuels their growth, wellbeing, engagement and productivity. If it works for them, their teams, and their clients, it works for us.
• Additional leave: a 5th week of paid leave to support rest, wellbeing, and inclusion during our annual summer shutdown also Birthday leave, First Nations Cultural Leave, Floating Public Holidays, Leave (purchased leave up to 12 weeks), Study Leave, Volunteering Leave, and more
• Employee share options for every team member, reflecting our commitment to shared success and ownership.
• Smart Device reimbursement: Working flexibly means accessing the information you need on the go. That's why we help pay for your smartphone or tablet, claiming up to $60 a month towards your bill.
• Wellness and Lifestyle benefits: We'll give you $295 a year to spend on items or activities that support your wellness, and up to $205 a year to support your balanced lifestyle.
• Sonder: A digital care platform that empowers people to actively take control of their wellbeing to live well and perform at their best, free to Scyne Employees and their immediate family members.

Interested in working together or want to find out more?
If you too share our purpose of helping governments and their agencies build more resilient, secure, equitable and prosperous communities, then you should apply today.