Manager Workforce Strategy & Organisational Development

at; South Australia; On-site; AUD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A government organization in South Australia is seeking a Manager for Workforce Strategy and Organisational Development. This role focuses on leading strategic initiatives to enhance workforce diversity, particularly in child protection. The successful candidate will develop tailored strategies, engage stakeholders, and drive compliance with government requirements. The position emphasizes cultural responsiveness and aims to create a resilient workforce capable of delivering high-quality outcomes for children at risk. Applications close on January 8, 2026.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading teams within large organisations.
• Expertise in developing Aboriginal workforce strategies.
• Strong interpersonal skills to engage diverse stakeholders.
• Experience managing complex projects in high-risk environments.
• Advanced analytical skills for data-driven decisions.
• Comprehensive understanding of government legislation and HR practices.
• Commitment to creating inclusive workplaces.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement tailored workforce strategies.
• Lead Aboriginal workforce priorities and representation.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders.
• Oversee workforce reporting and compliance.
• Drive data-informed decision-making.
• Design culturally safe practices for staff wellbeing.
• Implement organisational development strategies.
• Provide oversight of key projects.
• Partner with Aboriginal leaders for the Workforce Strategy.
• Identify workforce risks and implement solutions.

Skills

Team leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Data-informed decision-making

Cultural responsiveness

Project management

Analytical skills

Education

Tertiary qualifications relevant to Human Resources/Organisational Development

Job description

Manager Workforce Strategy & Organisational Development

The Manager, Workforce Strategy and Organisational Development is responsible for leading strategic workforce initiatives that support the Department for Child Protection's mission to protect and care for children and young people. This role focuses on designing tailored strategies to attract, develop, and retain a skilled, diverse, and resilient workforce-particularly in frontline child protection roles and regional and remote areas.

With a strong emphasis on Aboriginal workforce priorities, data-driven decision-making, and trauma-informed practices, this role provides expert leadership in delivering key projects such as the Thriving Workforce Strategy, Sector Workforce Strategy, and Closing the Gap commitments. The Manager plays a pivotal role in fostering an inclusive culture while driving organisational change to meet current and future service delivery needs in a complex environment.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a multidisciplinary team delivering innovative workforce solutions that address critical challenges such as regional staffing pressures, psychosocial safety, and cultural reform. Collaborating with senior leaders, operational managers, external stakeholders, and cross-government forums, you will influence meaningful change while ensuring compliance with government requirements. Your work will directly contribute to building a thriving workforce capable of delivering high-quality outcomes for children and young people at risk.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement tailored workforce strategies that build diversity, capability, resilience, and engagement across the department.
• Lead Aboriginal workforce priorities by increasing representation in leadership roles and embedding culturally responsive practices aligned with Closing the Gap commitments.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders to advance workforce priorities and influence reform across the sector.
• Oversee workforce reporting frameworks to ensure compliance with government requirements while monitoring performance through KPIs and evaluation mechanisms.
• Drive data-informed decision-making processes to address challenges such as regional staffing pressures and service continuity risks.
• Design trauma-informed, inclusive, and culturally safe practices that support staff wellbeing in high-pressure environments.
• Implement organisational development strategies that recognise the demands of child protection work while fostering continuous improvement.
• Provide strategic oversight of key projects within scope, timeframes, budget constraints, and benefit realisation frameworks.
• Partner with Aboriginal leaders to deliver the Aboriginal Workforce Strategy while advancing cultural reform initiatives across the department.
• Identify workforce risks such as psychosocial safety concerns or reform impacts and implement mitigation strategies to ensure sustainable change.

Key Requirements:

• Proven experience leading teams within large organisations while delivering successful outcomes aligned with strategic priorities.
• Expertise in developing Aboriginal workforce strategies that drive cultural responsiveness and increase representation in leadership roles.
• Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to engage diverse stakeholders on sensitive workforce matters effectively.
• Experience managing complex projects/programs within high-risk environments using sound judgment and initiative under competing priorities.
• Advanced analytical skills to utilise data insights for informed decision-making processes that address workforce challenges effectively.
• Comprehensive understanding of government legislation/policies alongside contemporary HR practices within public sector contexts.
• Demonstrated commitment to creating safe, inclusive workplaces free from discrimination while promoting diversity across all levels of the organisation.
• Tertiary qualifications relevant to Human Resources/Organisational Development or equivalent experience required.

The Department for Child Protection values diversity, inclusion, and cultural safety. Applications are encouraged from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including women, people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTQI+ communities, and culturally diverse candidates.

Become part of the Department for Child Protection as Manager Workforce Strategy and Organisational Development to lead transformative initiatives that shape a resilient child protection system while empowering staff to deliver exceptional outcomes for children and young people at risk.

Applications close COB Thursday, 8th January 2026

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are encouraged to apply.

To apply please click apply or call Denise Antoniou on 08 8216 3502 for a confidential discussion.