Head of HR & Workforce Planning

Shape workforce strategy, workplace relations and organisational capability for one of South Australia's largest employers.

• Senior leadership role with system-wide influence
• Lead a multidisciplinary team of 14 HR and workforce specialists
• Drive workforce outcomes for 9,500 employees across 101 schools
• Salary Range $215-229k base

At CESA, you'll lead workforce strategy, workplace relations and people transformation across 101 schools and almost 9,500 employees. This is a rare opportunity to influence system-wide outcomes, drive organisational change and shape the future workforce of one of South Australia's largest employers.

As Head of Human Resources & Workforce Planning, you will lead a multidisciplinary team spanning Human Resources, Workplace Relations, Talent Management, and HR Systems.

You will provide strategic leadership across workforce planning, organisational capability, enterprise bargaining, workplace relations, people governance and HR transformation initiatives. Working closely with executive leaders, school principals, governing bodies and union representatives, you will shape workforce outcomes across one of South Australia's most significant education systems.

This is a rare opportunity to: 

• Strengthen governance, compliance and contemporary people practices
• Lead enterprise bargaining and complex workplace relations initiatives
• Shape workforce strategy for one of South Australia's largest employers
• Influence executive decision-making and system-wide organisational outcomes
• Drive workforce planning, succession and leadership capability strategies
• Lead the evolution of people systems, workforce analytics and service delivery
• Position CESA as an employer of choice through innovation and workforce transformation
• Lead and develop a high-performing team through a period of growth and change
• Contribute to the vision, mission and values of Catholic education

You're a strategic and contemporary HR leader who thrives in complex environments and balances big-picture thinking with practical delivery and is energised working in a mission and values-based workplace.

You'll bring:

• Significant senior leadership experience across Human Resources and Workplace Relations functions
• Proven success leading workforce strategy, organisational change and transformation initiatives
• Deep expertise in workplace relations, industrial relations and employment compliance
• Experience leading enterprise bargaining and complex stakeholder engagement processes
• Strong commercial acumen, sound judgement and the ability to navigate complexity with confidence
• Experience leading HR systems, workforce analytics and service improvement initiatives
• A track record of building high-performing teams and delivering exceptional service outcomes
• Outstanding communication, influencing and relationship management capabilities
• The ability to translate organisational priorities into measurable workforce outcomes

Most importantly, you're a collaborative and values-driven leader who can build trust, challenge thinking and inspire teams to achieve meaningful outcomes.

Click here to view the Position Description. 

Catholic Education South Australia supports more than 56,000 students across 101 schools through the work of almost 9,500 employees.

Together, we are raising hearts and minds and helping young people become thriving people, capable learners and leaders for the world God desires.

Our people are passionate about making a difference, and we're committed to creating workplaces where our employees can thrive.

Please submit your Resume and Cover Letter.

Your cover letter should address:

• Your motivation for applying.
• Your key achievements in leading HR, Talent Management, Workplace Relations, HRIS and/or workforce planning functions in complex organisations.
• The leadership capabilities, values and professional expertise you would bring to this senior role at Catholic Education South Australia.
• Your approach to leading high-performing teams, strengthening service delivery and influencing positive organisational outcomes.

Applications close 9am Monday 24 August 2026