Director, Workforce

Australian Energy Regulator; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) is appointing a Director - Workforce to lead the evolution of operational HR functions from foundational services to a high-performing HR operation. You will design and deliver contemporary workforce strategies to attract, develop and retain the skills needed for strategic priorities.

The role requires collaborative leadership across the AER, providing strategic workforce advice to senior leaders on trends, requirements, risks and strategies to ensure the

Responsibilities

• lead teams to define and embed better practice services, systems, process and practices across the Capability, Recruitment, Payroll and Workforce Reporting functions.
• establish governance, policies, processes and reporting frameworks across the portfolio, while leading and developing a high-performing multidisciplinary team.
• oversee the Capability, Recruitment, Payroll and Workforce Reporting functions to ensure these functions are effective, efficient and adhere to all applicable legislative, industrial instrument and policy requirements.

Job description

On 1 July 2026, the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) and Australian Competition and Consumer Commission legally separated. The AER has established and is operating foundational human resources services, systems, processes and practices. Initially, the Director - Workforce's priority will be to lead the evolution of operational human resources functions from foundational services, systems, practices and procedures to a high performing human resources operation.

As better practice services, systems, process and practices are embedded, the Director - Workforce will lead the design and delivery of contemporary workforce strategies that ensure the AER can attract, develop and retain the skills and capability required to deliver its strategic priorities. This will require the Director - Workforce to work collaboratively across the AER and provide strategic advice to senior leaders on workforce trends, requirements, risks and strategies.

On 1 July 2026, the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) and Australian Competition and Consumer Commission legally separated. The AER has established and is operating foundational human resources services, systems, processes and practices. Initially, the Director - Workforce's priority will be to lead the evolution of operational human resources functions from foundational services, systems, practices and procedures to a high performing human resources operation.

As better practice services, systems, process and practices are embedded, the Director - Workforce will lead the design and delivery of contemporary workforce strategies that ensure the AER can attract, develop and retain the skills and capability required to deliver its strategic priorities. This will require the Director - Workforce to work collaboratively across the AER and provide strategic advice to senior leaders on workforce trends, requirements, risks and strategies.

The key duties of the position include:

• lead teams to define and embed better practice services, systems, process and practices across the Capability, Recruitment, Payroll and Workforce Reporting functions.
• establish governance, policies, processes and reporting frameworks across the portfolio, while leading and developing a high-performing multidisciplinary team.
• oversee the Capability, Recruitment, Payroll and Workforce Reporting functions to ensure these functions are effective, efficient and adhere to all applicable legislative, industrial instrument and policy requirements.
• lead agency-wide workforce planning and capability initiatives, including the design and delivery of the AER Workforce Plan, to support strategic priorities and future workforce needs
• oversee the development and delivery of the AER's capability framework, leadership development and professional development initiatives.
• lead APS Census, workforce reporting and analytics, translating data and insights into actionable advice for senior leaders.
• provide high-level strategic advice to the Executive General Manager, General Manager Corporate and Senior Leadership Team and senior stakeholders on workforce strategy, capability, resourcing and emerging people risks.

Eligibility

• Australian Citizenship - our successful candidate must be an Australian Citizen
• Security clearance - our successful candidate is required to hold, or have the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance at the required level
• Employment check - your suitability for employment will be assessed through a screening process.

Getting to know the Australian Energy Regulator

The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) works to make energy consumers better off, now and in the future. We focus on ensuring a secure, reliable and affordable energy future for Australia as it transitions to net zero emissions.We regulate electricity networks and covered gas pipelines, in all jurisdictions except Western Australia. We set the amount of revenue that network businesses can recover from customers for using these networks.From 1 July 2026, the AER structurally separated from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and transitioned into a standalone non-corporate Commonwealth entity with its own accountable authority, staff and budgetary control.The separation of the AER from the ACCC is a significant regulatory reform aimed at improving the governance and operational autonomy of the AER.