Service Leader People And Culture

Coleambally; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 189,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

AlburyCity invites applications for a Director, People and Culture. You will provide strategic leadership across HR, wellbeing, governance and employee support, guiding workforce strategy and capability uplift as a member of the Executive Team.

You will balance service delivery with leadership development, embedding contemporary people practices and data driven decision making to improve capability, culture and outcomes across the organisation.

Qualifications

• Significant experience delivering strategic and operational people and culture services.
• Experience in workforce strategy and capability uplift.
• Proven senior leadership experience influencing enterprise outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic oversight of People & Culture service delivery.
• Lead workforce planning, development and culture initiatives.
• Ensure governance, compliance and high performance across the service cluster.
• Manage stakeholder engagement and partnerships to meet community needs.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Workforce strategy

Organisational development

People leadership

Education

Tertiary qualifications in HR/Business/Management

Job description

Description

DIRECTORATE: Business, Growth & Community

CLASSIFICATION: Grade L

SALARY: $189,317 to $219,608 pa + 12% employer contribution to superannuation

REPORTING TO: Deputy CEO Business, Growth & Community

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Permanent Full Time

THE POSITION: This position provides strategic leadership and operational oversight across the People and Culture service cluster, ensuring the delivery of contemporary Human Resources, Health and Wellbeing, Governance and employee support services. The role is responsible for delivering high-quality, responsive services to the organisation while progressively evolving the function to better enable organisational performance.

The Service Leader People and Culture plays a critical enterprise leadership role as part of the Executive Team, driving organisational performance through people. This includes identifying systemic workforce and cultural challenges, shaping workforce strategy, and delivering practical, scalable solutions that improve capability, culture and outcomes across AlburyCity.

A key focus of the role is to balance service delivery with capability building ensuring leaders are supported while also being equipped to lead effectively and independently. This includes strengthening leadership capability at all levels, embedding contemporary people management practices, and reducing reliance on transactional support through uplift in skills, tools and accountability.

The role positions People and Culture as a trusted strategic partner and corporate enabler providing expert advice, building organisational capability, and fostering a high-performing, values-driven culture that supports the long-term success of AlburyCity and its people.

FUNCTIONS TO BE MANAGED

• Human Resources
• Payroll
• Talent and Organisational Development
• Wellbeing, Health and Safety
• Workforce Development

Responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership & Organisational Performance

• Directly responsible and accountable for the People & Culture Service Cluster's overall performance and service delivery.
• Lead strategic workforce planning, organisational development and change initiatives to ensure AlburyCity has the capability, leadership, culture and workforce resilience required to achieve its long-term objectives.
• Continually improve and develop the People & Culture function to meet the service requirements of AlburyCity, with a focus on a service delivery model that builds capability and empowers leaders to take ownership of people management.
• Develop and deliver a contemporary workforce strategy that supports organisational growth, strengthens attraction and retention, and positions AlburyCity as an employer of choice within the regional market. This includes providing strategic workforce advice to support the successful delivery of the Two Cities One Community Strategy in partnership with Wodonga City Council, recognising Albury-Wodonga's role as a key regional growth enabler.
• Provide evidence‑based strategic advice by identifying emerging workforce risks and opportunities, and presenting practical, scalable solutions aligned to organisational priorities and long‑term objectives.
• Leverage workforce data, insights and analytics to inform decision‑making, measure organisational performance, and drive continuous improvement across People & Culture practices.
• Facilitate strategic future planning to ensure AlburyCity maintains contemporary Human Resources, Workplace Health and Wellbeing, and WHS practices and culture.
• Make a strong and effective contribution to the Leaders Group regarding the strategy, leadership and management of Council.

Workforce Strategy, Culture & Capability

• Provide strategic oversight of employee and industrial relations, ensuring constructive workplace relationships and effective risk management.
• Champion a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace that reflects AlburyCity's values and supports equitable outcomes for employees and the community.
• Lead initiatives that strengthen a values‑driven organisational culture, embedding accountability, trust and high‑performance behaviours across all levels of the organisation.
• Establish a contemporary People & Culture operating model that balances central expertise with embedded partnership, ensuring services are strategic, proactive and aligned to organisational outcomes.
• Inspire and lead our people by fostering an innovative, high‑performing, productive and collaborative culture.
• Enable effective delegation, communication and shared contribution to promote high‑level performance and accountability across the Service Cluster.
• Encourage innovation to improve productivity and maximise operational efficiencies through technology, contemporary leadership approaches and change management practices.

Service Delivery & Operational Management

• Provide operational leadership and direction to the Service Cluster consistent with AlburyCity plans and policies.
• Provide strong and effective management of the delivery of services, programs and projects.
• Develop and maintain customer service commitments, including service quality standards and response times.
• Improve efficiency through the implementation of continuous improvement initiatives.
• Coordinate reporting and legislative compliance requirements for People & Culture services.
• Act as AlburyCity's Designated Child Protection Investigation Officer.
• Ensure appropriate allocation of resources to effectively deliver services.
• Prepare an annual Business Plan for the Service Cluster, detailing key services, projects, budgets, KPIs and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Monitor and regularly report Service Cluster outcomes to the Executive Leadership Team and Council.
• Regularly review Service Cluster performance against objectives and budget, implementing improvements to enhance efficiency and capability where required.

Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships

• Build and maintain networks across the organisation and with external stakeholders to develop effective relationships and ensure a thorough understanding of organisational and community needs and aspirations.
• Foster productive working relationships with Council, collaborating towards positive outcomes.
• Promote a positive image of AlburyCity and the People & Culture Service Cluster.
• Enable effective consultation processes that support strategy implementation and the delivery of programs that meet organisational and community needs.

People Leadership

• Lead, develop and support the People & Culture team to achieve strategic and operational objectives.
• Foster a culture of high performance, accountability, learning and continuous improvement within the Service Cluster.
• Ensure the effective allocation of resources to deliver agreed outcomes and organisational priorities

Governance, Compliance & Corporate Responsibilities

• Provide strategic oversight of employee and industrial relations, ensuring constructive workplace relationships and effective risk management.
• Observe requirements of WHS legislation relevant to the role and adhere to AlburyCity policies and procedures regarding workplace health and safety.
• Observe and comply with relevant AlburyCity policies and procedures, including Equal Employment Opportunity, Dress Code and Standards, and the Code of Conduct.
• Perform other duties as directed by the Deputy CEO that are within the employee's skills, competence and training.

Qualifications

KEY RELATIONSHIPS:

Internal

• Executive Leadership Team
• Our Councillors
• Our people

External

• Our Community
• Residents and Ratepayers
• Community organisations
• Local, Federal and State Government Agencies
• Local Government Councils

EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS:

• Based on a 35 hour week, with actual days and times being Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm, with an RDO in accordance with AlburyCity's RDO guidelines
• It is expected that the employee will work those hours necessary to ensure the successful achievement of work outcomes and performance standards.
• This position requires the employee to lodge an annual Pecuniary Interest Return.
• This position is delegated with certain powers, authorities, duties and functions of Council under the AlburyCity Delegations of Authority in accordance with section 378 of the Local Government Act.
• This position requires a current NSW Working with Children’s Check
• This position requires evidence of a current Australian National Police Check.
• This position is subject to alcohol and other drug testing.
• This position does not require a designated uniform. Employees are expected to adhere to AlburyCity's Our People Dress Code Standards and maintain a professional and appropriate appearance at all times, including when working remotely or representing AlburyCity in the community. This position involves working in a predominantly indoor environment and using a computer is considered a core component of the role. There may be occasional visits to other work locations. The position requires an average level of aerobic and physical fitness to undertake occasional physical activities, such as walking and lifting, along with general manual handling tasks as part of a normal working environment. A medical declaration is required for this position.
• This position is located at the AlburyCity Administration Building, 553 Kiewa Street, Albury with visits to external sites/depots as required.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• Tertiary qualifications in Human Resources, Business, Management or related field or equivalent relevant work experience
• Significant experience delivering strategic and operational people and culture services in complex organisations, including workforce strategy, organisational development and capability uplift.
• Demonstrated experience operating at a senior leadership level, influencing enterprise-wide outcomes and leading organisational change and cultural transformation.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA:

• Class C Driver's Licence

EXPERIENCE:

• Significant experience in the delivery of strategic and operational human resources.
• Significant experience in a senior leadership role, covering a broad service area.

SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Comprehensive knowledge of services delivery and management
• A thorough knowledge of Project Management from consultation through to delivery
• A thorough understanding in the following areas:
  • Strategic Human Resource Management
  • Work Health and Safety
  • Award and Legislation interpretation
  • Health and Wellbeing
• Demonstrated expertise in contemporary people and culture practices, including organisational development, workforce strategy and leadership capability.
• Strong understanding of industrial relations, employment legislation and governance frameworks within a public sector or local government context.
• Advanced capability in using workforce data and insights to inform strategy, measure performance, and drive improvement.
• Proven ability to lead organisational change and embed sustainable behavioural and cultural change.
• Highly developed ability to provide strategic, evidence‑based advice to executive leadership on complex workforce and organisational issues.