Director, People and Culture

Department of State Development
Job reference: 854199
Location: 5000 - ADELAIDE
Job status: Long Term Contract
Eligibility: Open to Everyone

About us:

The Department of State Development is the South Australian Government’s lead economic development agency. 

Our mission is to drive sustainable economic growth in South Australia by increasing industrial and workforce capability, capacity, collaboration and resilience. We take pride in hiring the right people for the right jobs and offer an attractive, flexible workplace. 

For more information about our agency, please visit: 

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

About the role:

The Portfolio Delivery group is responsible for the delivery of corporate services across DSD, including driving organisational performance, enabling effective governance and providing high quality business support and advice.

The Director, People and Culture provides strategic leadership, direction and management of the People and Culture function within the Portfolio Delivery group. The role leads human resources, organisational development and work health and safety.

The Director, People and Culture acts 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.

As the Director, People and Culture you will:

• Provide 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.
• Drive People and Culture initiatives and programs aligned with departmental priorities and whole-of-government requirements to enable a high-performing agency.
• Strengthen 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.
• Provide 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, DSD’s employment framework, public sector standards and legislative requirements.
• Establish and maintain productive relationships across government, with central agencies, unions, industry partners and other key stakeholders to influence outcomes, manage risk and support delivery of government and departmental priorities.

Key Competencies:

To apply and succeed in the role, you will have:

• 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 DSD 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.

Remuneration:

Competitive salary of SAES1.

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
• Work-life balance with a flexible hybrid work arrangement
• Access to great customised training and career development opportunities.

Qualifications:

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

Special Conditions:

• The role will be offered full-time (1.0 FTE) for up to 3 years
• Satisfactory Department of Human Services Criminal History Check or National Police Check (NPC) and Working with Children Check is required prior to employment.

Enquiries:

For confidential enquiries / further information about the role, please contact Chantelle Noter, Executive Group Coordinator, Portfolio Delivery via ***************@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 (3 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: 20/08/2026 5:00 PM

Attachments:
- DSD Role Description - Director, People and Culture.pdf
- Pre-Employment-Declaration_240522.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.