Department for Housing and Urban Development
Job reference:
******
Location:
**** - 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 secure, 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.
Robust knowledge and understanding of the employment
framework in which DHUD operates, including but not limited to
the Public Sector Act ****, 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 ******
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.

📌 Director, People And Culture (South Australia)
🏢 Department for Housing and Urban Development
📍 South Australia