Director, People and Culture (Adelaide)

AS08 Director, People and Culture

Essential Services Commission of South Australia (the Commission)
ASO8 | $121,107 – $125,679 + Super | Adelaide CBD | Hybrid Working

We are looking for an experienced and values-driven HR professional to lead People and Culture at the Commission during an exciting period of transformation and growth.

About the Role

As the Director, People and Culture, you will lead the Commission's HR and Work Health & Safety (WHS) functions, working closely with senior leaders to shape the future of the Commission’s workforce. You’ll be responsible for developing and implementing strategic HR initiatives that support a high-performing, values-aligned, and engaged culture.

Reporting to the Executive Director, People and Corporate Services, this is a broad generalist role that combines both strategic planning and hands-on delivery across all areas of HR, including workforce planning, policy development, employee engagement, recruitment, and WHS compliance.

You’ll oversee a small People and Culture team (currently 2 direct reports) and will play a key role in embedding contemporary people practices that align with the Commission's values of Accountability, Collaboration, Agility, Respect, and Integrity.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of the Commission's People and Culture strategy, plans and initiatives.
• Provide expert HR advice and guidance to executives, managers and staff across all HR and WHS matters.
• Oversee the full employee lifecycle including workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, development, performance, and exit.
• Identify gaps in current systems and frameworks and implement best-practice improvements
• Guide and mentor a small HR team, providing leadership and support.
• Build strong internal and external relationships, including with key government stakeholders.
• Support the Executive and Commission with workforce insights and advice, including presenting to the Board as required.

About You

You’re a seasoned HR professional who thrives in environments where you can work strategically while still rolling up your sleeves when needed. You bring strong generalist experience and are confident advising senior leaders while building a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

You’ll be successful in this role if you are:

• A strong communicator and relationship-builder, with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Comfortable navigating the nuances of a statutory or government organisation.
• Agile, solutions-focused and curious: able to work in ambiguity and drive clarity.
• Passionate about fostering a positive, inclusive and high-performance culture.
• Collaborative and people-centric – you care about the impact your work has on others.
• Aligned to the Commission's values and excited to help shape a growing agency.

Essential Experience and Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior HR generalist role, ideally within the public sector or a regulated environment.
• Experience in the provision of HR strategic workforce advice to employees, executive teams, and/or Boards (or equivalent).
• In-depth knowledge of HR policies, procedures, and relevant legislation.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and implement effective people and culture strategies.
• Strong expertise in employee and industrial relations, as well as strategic human resource management.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Human Resources, Business, or a related field.

Why Work with the Commission?

• Purpose-driven organisation contributing to the long-term interests of South Australians.
• Flexible hybrid work environment.
• Adelaide CBD location.
• Supportive, inclusive and values-based culture.
• Opportunity to shape and influence a growing agency and its future.

About the Commission

The Commission is a statutory authority established as an independent economic regulator and advisory body to protect the long-term interests of South Australian consumers with respect to the price, quality and reliability of essential services. We add long-term value to the South Australian community by meeting our that objective through independent, ethical and expert regulatory decisions and the provision of robust advice to Government. Our work is anchored in our core values of Accountability, Collaboration, Agility, Respect, and Integrity.

Our role incorporates licensing, consumer protection, service standards, pricing, monitoring, compliance and public reporting in the water, electricity and gas industries, and access regulation of essential ports and rail infrastructure. We also provide advice and conduct Inquiries to inform the South Australian Government on economic and regulatory policy issues and provide advice to local government.

What we can offer

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

We support our employees to deliver high quality outcomes by genuinely providing a great work culture, fostering employee relations and valuing health and wellbeing. We also offer all staff ongoing professional development and access to generous learning and development provisions. We offer hybrid ways of working for all staff and support flexibility for our people.

We are committed to an inclusive workplace that values diversity and actively promotes a culturally safe workplace by developing and implementing inclusion-based action plans, including a Reconciliation Action Plan and Disability Access Inclusion Plan.

In addition, the Commission is proudly White Ribbon Australia accredited and adopts a zero-tolerance approach to towards domestic violence and disrespectful behaviours of any kind in the workplace and in the broader community.

Apply now

If you're a strategic HR leader looking to make a meaningful impact in a growing and values-led organisation, we’d love to hear from you.

Please put in your application to Joanne at jeng@hrpartners.com.au

At Randstad HR Partners, we are passionate about providing equal employment opportunities and embracing diversity to the benefit of all. We actively encourage applications from any background.