Director, People and Culture

Description:

Department of State Development

Job reference: 668108

Location: 5000 - ADELAIDE

Job status: Short Term Contract

Eligibility: Open to Everyone

About Us

The Department of State Development is working to shape South Australia’s future by driving economic growth. Our role is to ensure that South Australia capitalises on the opportunities before us, to ensure that we are well-positioned to take advantage of the state’s significant economic opportunities.

As a newly created agency in 2024, we continue to drive our state forward and we want you to join us on this journey. Working at DSD will provide you with an exciting opportunity to contribute to the delivery of some of the government’s major economic initiatives, and importantly, make a lasting positive difference and contribute to the prosperity of our state.

We take pride in being an employer of choice and providing a work environment that is vibrant and rewarding for people of all levels. Help us shape our state’s economic future and position South Australia on the national and global stage.

For More Information About Our Agency, Please Visit

Department of State Development | statedevelopment.sa.gov.au

About The Role

We have an opportunity for an experienced people and culture leader to join our Executive leadership team for a fixed term, up to 12 months, whilst our Director People and Culture is on parental leave.

In the role, you will have overall responsibility for the leadership, direction and management of the People and Culture team. This includes functional responsibilities for human resources, organisational development and learning, diversity and inclusion, work health and safety, and wellbeing.

You will lead a diverse team that actively partner across the Department to enable the achievement of corporate and departmental objectives. The role will also require you to provide personal support DSD leaders with strategic advice, as well as engaging with employees through a consultative approach.

In the next 12 months, you will drive, develop and progress a number of strategic people-related initiatives which build capability against our Department's new strategy and enterprise plan, and shape a vibrant, connected 'one enterprise' culture.

Key to your success in this role is the ability to credibly inspire, coach, communicate and create pragmatic solutions that are grounded in the overall success of the Department.

You will lead a diverse and collaborative team that is committed to partnering with the business and creating a positive employee experience. This is to enable our people to reach their full potential and perform at their best within a safe and inclusive environment. Having undergone a recent change in direction as an agency, we are looking to appoint someone who is comfortable steering the function, and the broader Department, through a period of change. You will provide a steadying hand and promote a cohesive approach to change and service delivery to the broader organisation.

You will work as a key part of the Executive leadership team, as well as working across the organisation to assist in the achievement of corporate and departmental objectives. This is an ideal role for someone who is looking to grow their career and gain experience at the executive level or is seeking an interim role in 2025.

If you are curious about this position but concerned about retaining any substantive role you may hold within SA Government, please contact for a confidential conversation.

Key Competencies

To apply and succeed in the role, you will be able to demonstrate:

• A proven ability to work collaboratively, facilitate partnerships and enable effective working relationships across government, industry and with other strategic external stakeholders
• Strong management and leadership skills with experience in leading teams and establishing a culture of performance, professionalism and continuous improvement to drive excellence.
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of the training and skills sector.
• Highly developed interpersonal and negotiation skills and demonstrated success in achieving change through collaboration and influence.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse, plan and prioritise, and to establish, communicate and contribute to clarity of purpose.
• Personal characteristics that reflect flexibility, resilience, political nous and initiative.
  
  

Executive Core Competencies

• Within the context of the role responsibilities described above, ideally you will be someone who can competitively demonstrate your knowledge, skills and experiences and their suitability against the South Australian Executive Service (SAES) Competency Framework in the context of the essential requirements for this role.
  
  

Remuneration

• Competitive salary commensurate to the experience of the successful candidate
  
  

Benefits

Bringing your talent to the Department of State Development will see you rewarded with a wide variety of benefits such as:

• A variety of leave arrangements.
• Contemporary office space with end-of-trip facilities
• Work-life balance with a flexible hybrid work arrangement.
• Access to great customised training and career development opportunities.
  
  

Qualifications

• Essential: An appropriate tertiary qualification including post-graduate qualifications in a relevant discipline or relevant experience.
• Desirable: Nil
  
  

Special Conditions

• The role will be offered as full-time (1.0 FTE) short term contract position, up to 12 months
• A Satisfactory Department of Human Services Criminal History Check or National Police Check (NPC) and Department of Human Services Working with Children Check will be required prior to employment.
  
  

Enquiries

For confidential enquiries or further information about the role, please contact Vy Collins, Director People and Culture on 0466 856 235 or via DSD.Recruitment@sa.gov.au

How To Apply

All applications must be submitted through the I Work For SA website.

Applicants Are Required To Submit The Following

• Cover letter demonstrating the suitability for the role by addressing the key competencies (2 pages max)
• Curriculum Vitae (4 pages max)
• Prepare 3 referees (at least one should be current or recent line manager), to be provided on request.
• Pre-employment Declaration Form – find the attachment on the job advert.
  
  

Applications close: 27/04/2025 11:00 PM

Attachments

• Pre-Employment-Declaration_240522.pdf
• SAES1 Director, People and Culture PD - APR 2025.pdf
  
  

Flexibility Statement

The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.