Chief People Officer

Work with us

The department is responsible for the design and delivery of the Australian Government's infrastructure, transport, regional development, sport, communications and arts policies and programs. The department's work touches every Australian community and underpins our economy and society.

Our focus is on connecting Australians, enriching communities, and empowering our regions. We do this by providing policy advice to government, and delivering programs, services, and research for the benefit of all Australians.

The opportunity we have available

The Chief People Officer role is directly accountable to the Secretary for leading the people, culture and capability agenda across the Department and is a key member of the Department's Leadership Team. The role is responsible for all human resource functions including HR strategy and policy; recruitment and talent management; organisational design; organisational effectiveness; leadership development; employee relations; HR operations and payroll; and learning and development. It is also responsible for work health and safety.

The Chief People Office also leads the People, Culture and Change Division and in this capacity reports to the Chief Operating Officer. The wide range of responsibilities of the role include:

• Delivering communication and change through media management, campaigns and a wide variety of external and internal communications engagements.

• Providing reliable and responsive ministerial, parliamentary and cabinet services to support our various Ministers.

• Leading the department's strategic and operational property portfolio, including delivering the department's move to its new Canberra property preceding through 2026 – 27, as well as developing a long term property strategy that complement our flexible ways of working.

What will you do?

• Actively lead – discussing and articulating a positive vision and sense of purpose for the future and empowering people to succeed and have a positive impact.
• Achieve results – with the ability to deliver timely and accurate legal services in relation to complex projects, programs, and services with resilience and a positive approach to issues resolution.
• Communicate with influence – to take forward the Government's policy agenda with intelligence, persuasiveness, professionalism, authenticity, and credibility. Listen, understand and adapt to different audiences.
• Act with integrity and be respectful – making informed decisions, integrating moral and ethical considerations and establishing realistic goals. Value different perspectives, contributions and background.
• Drive innovation – turning innovative thinking into action and make time to engage others in ideas and problem solving. Consider mistakes first as an opportunity to learn.
• Manage for high performance – self and others.
• Be collaborative – across the department, portfolio, APS and other sectors. Seek input from others.
• Contribute – make a positive contribution, across the department, Portfolio and Government. Overcome barriers.
• Culturally Competent – demonstrate an understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and an ability to communicate sensitively effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Who are we looking for?

To be successful in the role of Chief People Officer you will have the following capabilities and characteristics:

• a strong orientation towards people over process. You will put your internal customers at the centre of the outcomes you deliver, and value collaboration and consultation with a diverse range of staff, management and other stakeholders.
• a role model of positive Senior Executive Service behaviours and a champion of the organisation's vision and goals and promote a shared commitment to the strategic direction and inclusive culture.
• an ability to consider and assess emerging trends and risks provide well considered guidance to the department to enable informed decision-making about long-term opportunities and achievement of strategic, operational and tactical priorities
• an ability to provide impartial and forthright advice, challenge difficult and sensitive issues, and addresses breaches of protocol, probity and integrity.
• the ability to lead and inspire staff within your business area, including building and developing a high performing team, managing competing business priorities and psychosocial risk factors to effectively deliver the core priorities of your business and across the department.
• An ability to build and maintain effective, collaborative and productive networks across portfolio agencies, government, academia, and the private sector.

RecruitAbility minimum requirements

All of our roles are advertised under the RecruitAbility scheme unless Affirmative Measures – disability.

RecruitAbility is a scheme which aims to attract and develop applicants with disability and also facilitate cultural changes in selection panels and agency recruitment.

Job applicants with disability who met the requirements are advanced to the next stage of the selection process:

• Opt into the scheme
• Declare they have a disability, and
• Meet the minimum requirements of a vacancy advertised in the scheme

More information can be found at RecruitAbility scheme: A guide for applicants | Australian Public Service Commission.

Eligibility requirements

Employment with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is subject to conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999 including:

• Citizenship:
  candidates must be an Australian citizen at the time of submitting your application.
• Health Assessment:
  The preferred candidate may be required to undergo a medical examination conducted by the department's preferred medical provider.
• Security Clearance:
  The successful candidate must be able to obtain and/or maintain a security clearance at Negative Vetting Level 2. You must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information. You must have lived in Australia, or have a checkable background, for at least the preceding five years for Baseline Vetting clearances. More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) website.
• Police check:
  The successful candidate must satisfactory complete an Australian Federal Police criminal history check.
• Integrity and Performance check:
  The successful candidate must satisfy the requirements in an Integrity and Performance check which is completed by your most recent employer.