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Chief Human Resources Officer
Directorate; People and Culture; Corporate Services; Brisbane City
The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) is seeking a Chief Human Resources Officer to lead the vision and direction of the People and Culture function. You will support the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), as well as be a critical member of the Corporate Leadership Team (CLT) as you lead and contribute to the development of a positive and productive organisational culture, ensuring that corporate services enable DETSI to achieve its strategic objectives.
This role demands a strong professional leader with capability to drive strategy and planning to ensure the Corporate Services Division is responsive to, and informed by, the departments Strategic Plan 2025-2029.
Job details
| Position status | Contract |
|---|---|
| Position type | Flexible full-time |
| Occupational group | Executive |
| Classification | SES2(H) |
| Workplace Location | Brisbane Inner City |
| Job ad reference | QLD/654099/25 |
| Closing date | 25-Aug-2025 |
| Job duration | Contract up to 5 years with possible extension |
| Contact person | Daniel Wilson, Deb Kightley |
| Contact details | recruitment.gps@firstgrade.com.au Access the National Relay Service |
About the role
Reporting to the Deputy Director-General, Corporate Services, as CHRO you will be responsible for providing vision, direction, and leadership to the People and Culture function. The DETSI People and Culture function provides strategic advice and support across the full employment lifecycle including talent attraction and retention; workforce and change management; industrial and employee relations; workplace health and safety; leadership and capability development; Human Resource (HR) systems management and development, integrity; as well as coordinating customer complaints management and supporting reframing our relationship with First Nations peoples in everything we do.
As a member of the Corporate Services Leadership Team (CLT), you will lead and contribute to the development of a positive and productive organisational culture, and ensure corporate services enables DETSI to achieve its strategic objectives.
The role has an annual budget of approximately $7million, with five direct reports and oversees an establishment of approximately 41 full time equivalent (FTE) employees.
As CHRO you will
- Lead and inspire the People and Culture team, fostering a high-performance, innovative culture that delivers excellence in service and supports a respectful, inclusive workplace.
- Provide strategic HR leadership and expert advice to senior executives across key areas including workforce planning, talent management, employee relations, wellbeing, capability development, and HR systems.
- Drive implementation and impact of DETSI's workforce strategies, policies, and programs, ensuring compliance, responsiveness to business needs, and alignment with organisational priorities.
- Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, represent the organisation effectively, and contribute to a unified and collaborative leadership team.
The perfect fit
We require a values-based leader with both advanced people leadership skills and deep management experience, who demonstrates effective results through collaboration and partnership with internal and external stakeholders. You will feel confident in mobilising a multidisciplinary team with five direct reports, across a broad portfolio of responsibility.
You are a proven, forward-thinking, and empathetic leader who champions psychological safety, for yourself and others, within large, complex organisations, and consistently demonstrates exceptional leadership capability.
Further Information
For further information, schedule a time for a confidential discussion, contact Dan or Deb at First Grade on recruitment.gps@firstgrade.com.au
Ready to apply
This role will suit someone with energy, government insight, a growth mindset and is future focused. A leader who sees culture as a strategic asset, thrives in dynamic settings and wants to help shape one of Queensland's most purpose-driven organisations.
- Attach a brief (up to 4 pages) resume
- Provide a 1-page statement responding to the following questions:
1. Share a time when you developed the strategy, design and delivery of the HR function within an organisation. What was your approach and what impact did it have?
2. How do you identify and develop leadership talent within an organisation, and what frameworks or philosophies guide your approach?
3. What is your approach to improving workplace culture? Briefly outline an example of where you have led a successful culture changing initiative in the past.
Applications to remain current for 12 months.
Further information
We are committed to building inclusive cultures in the Queensland public sector that respect and promote human rights and diversity.
Please ensure you download all attachments and follow the instructions on how to apply.
Documents
Before applying for this vacancy please ensure you read the documents below.
