Director, People and Culture

Department for Housing and Urban Development
Job reference: 854486
Location: 5000 - ADELAIDE
Job status: Long Term Contract
Eligibility: Open to Everyone

Employment Type:

SAES 1: Executive Appointment.

Make a real impact. Shape South Australia's housing future.

At the heart of our department is a clear and urgent mission: delivering homes and housing options for South Australians. In the face of a national housing shortfall, we're not sitting back - we are stepping up.

We're purposefully driving forward and fast-tracking the development of diverse and sustainable housing solutions. From policy to housing infrastructure to urban planning, our work is focused on creating vibrant, liveable communities that offer more than just a roof - they offer stability, security and opportunity.

This is meaningful work. It's complex, fast paced, and deeply rewarding. You'll be part of a team that's influencing real change - solving critical challenges, shaping policy and delivering outcomes that matter.

Now's the time to get involved. If you are ready to use your skills to drive social impact, be part of an ambitious and values-driven team, and help shape the future of housing in our state, we want to hear from you.

The Role:

The Director, People and Culture is responsible for providing strategic leadership, direction and management of the People and Culture function within the Operations Directorate. The role leads human resources, organisational development and work health and safety. The Director, People and Culture will act as an enterprise leader and trusted adviser to the Chief Executive, Executive Leadership Committee (ELC) and senior leaders across the department, ensuring people strategies, systems, policies and services support a safe, inclusive, high-performing and values-led public sector workforce. The Director, People and Culture will hold the following responsibilities:

• Providing strategic leadership and oversight of the People and Culture function, encompassing human resources, employee and industrial relations, executive employment, organisational development, learning and development, diversity and inclusion, and work health and safety.
• Driving People and Culture initiatives and programs aligned with departmental priorities and whole-of government requirements to enable a high-performing agency.
• Strengthening the People and Culture operating model and business partnering approach to deliver proactive, client-focused and consistent services that support leaders and employees across the employment lifecycle.
• Providing authoritative, timely and pragmatic strategic advice to the Chief Executive, Executive Leadership Committee and senior leaders on complex and sensitive people matters, workforce risks, organisational change, DHUD’s employment framework, public sector standards and legislative requirements.

About You:

To be successful in this position, you must be able to demonstrate experience across the following key capabilities:

• Significant experience in workforce (human resources) management including significant experience in managing sensitive and complex employee matters.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary teams across human resources, organisational development, and work health and safety, with strong management and leadership skills to establish a culture of performance, professionalism and continuous improvement that drives excellence.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of the employment framework in which DHUD operates, including but not limited to the Public Sector Act 2009, Salaried Employees Enterprise Agreement, Salaried Employees Interim Award and Commissioner for Public Sector Determinations and Guidelines.
• Highly developed communication, negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to provide clear, trusted and pragmatic advice to internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking, judgement and political acumen, with the ability to analyse complex information, anticipate workforce risks and translate priorities into practical strategies, decisions and outcomes.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively across government and with diverse stakeholders to build effective partnerships, resolve complex issues and deliver whole-of-agency and whole-of-government outcomes.

Essential Qualification:

An appropriate tertiary or post-graduate qualification in human resources, law or psychology or another relevant discipline or relevant experience.

Special Conditions:

• Some out of hours’ work may be required.
• Some intra state, international and interstate travel may be required.
• Required to maintain a safe working environment by adopting appropriate hazard management practices consistent with the role.
• Required to obtain a National Police Check prior to employment. A renewal will be required every 3 years.

Enquiries:

For all confidential enquiries, please contact Debbie Sterrey, Chief Operating Officer at **************@sa.gov.au  

Application Instructions:

All applications must be submitted online.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit a covering letter (no more than 2 pages), outlining your skills and experience in relation to the key capabilities outlined in the role statement, a current CV and the contact information of three referees including your current line manager.

All applicants must complete a ‘Pre-Employment Declaration in the SA Public Sector’ form.

Applications close: 17/08/2026 6:00 PM

Attachments:
- Director People and Culture Role Statement - DHUD.pdf
- Pre-Employment Declaration.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.