The Role The acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines is an historic and transformative endeavour for Australia. The whole-of-nation effort to safely and securely deliver the cutting edge nuclear-powered submarine program will transform Australia’s economic and national security landscape for decades to come.

The EL 2 Director, HR Strategy is a key leadership role within the People Services Branch, responsible for shaping and delivering the organisation's people strategy and workforce agenda. Operating with a high degree of autonomy, the Director provides strategic leadership, specialist human resources expertise, and authoritative advice on complex workforce, organisational, and people-related matters.

The role plays a critical part in influencing organisational strategy and driving workforce capability through the development of contemporary people policies, programs, and priorities. The Director leads the design and delivery of major strategic initiatives, including Early Entry and Graduate Programs, talent management frameworks, succession planning, and leadership development pathways, ensuring the organisation is well positioned to meet current and future workforce needs.

Leading a high-performing HR team, the Director is accountable for delivering strategic and operational outcomes that support organisational objectives. The position requires a strong understanding of human resource management, workforce strategy, organisational development, and government decision-making processes, together with the ability to build trusted relationships, influence senior executives, and engage effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders.

We are seeking an accomplished and forward-thinking HR leader with a proven track record of delivering strategic talent and capability initiatives. The successful candidate will bring demonstrated experience in attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse, high-performing workforce through cutting-edge talent management, leadership development, and workforce planning strategies. They will be a collaborative and influential leader, capable of driving organisational change and building the workforce and leadership capability required to achieve the organisation's long-term priorities.

Key Responsibilities include

- Lead and deliver the organisation’s people strategy, ensuring workforce initiatives align with strategic priorities and future capability requirements.
- Provide high-level strategic HR advice to executives and senior leaders on complex workforce, organisational, employee relations and people matters.
- Lead strategic talent and capability initiatives, including early-entry and graduate programs,



talent management frameworks, succession planning and leadership pathways, to attract, develop and retain a diverse, high-performing workforce aligned to current and future organisational needs.
- Lead the development and implementation of HR policies, frameworks and programs, ensuring compliance with legislative, industrial and governance requirements.
- Analyse workforce data and trends to identify risks, opportunities and emerging workforce challenges, and develop evidence-based solutions
- Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, influencing outcomes and fostering collaboration to achieve organisational objectives.
- Manage and develop a high-performing HR team, setting clear expectations, building capability and fostering a culture of accountability, inclusion and excellence.
- Manage allocated financial, human and operational resources, ensuring priorities, workflows and business outcomes are delivered efficiently and effectively.
- Represent the organisation in senior-level forums and other external engagements relating to workforce and people matters where required.

About our Team

People Services Branch within the Chief Operating Officer Division, is responsible for developing and implementing key people strategies, policy and programs that support delivery of the nuclear-powered submarine program. This involves keys functions such as strategic workforce planning, culture programs, change management, remuneration and people policies including workplace relations, career and talent development programs for staff, management of graduate and early entry programs and workplace health and safety.

The Branch is seeking to fill an Executive Level 2 position and is looking for a high-performing leader who is adaptable, resilient, and thrives in a dynamic environment. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to work across a broad range of HR functions, provide strategic leadership, and deliver outcomes in a fast-paced and evolving operational context..

Our Ideal Candidate

We are a dynamic organization seeking employees who are agile, innovative and energised by high-paced work.



We are seeking highly motivated and collaborative minded people who will have the opportunity to contribute to a once in a lifetime program.

We are seeking an experienced HR Leader with a proven track record of leading strategic talent and capability initiatives. This includes early-career and graduate programs, talent management frameworks, succession planning, and leadership development pathways.

The successful candidate will play a key role in attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse, high-performing workforce that meets the organisation's current and future workforce needs. We are looking for an authentic and people-centred leader who is passionate about shaping the employee experience and building a workforce that is engaged, capable and ready to deliver outcomes of national significance.

As a strategic HR leader, you will thrive in a dynamic and evolving environment, bringing curiosity, sound judgement and a collaborative approach to solving complex workforce challenges. You will be motivated by the opportunity to influence organisational direction, collaborate with senior leaders and create meaningful impact for both people and business outcomes.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a once-in-a-generation program while leading initiatives that strengthen workforce capability, foster an inclusive culture and support organisational success.

The successful candidate will bring:

- Demonstrated experience leading strategic HR functions and enterprise-wide workforce initiatives in complex environments.
- A strong commitment to building positive workplace cultures and delivering people-focused solutions.
- The ability to translate workforce insights, legislation and policy into practical strategies that support organisational objectives.
- Experience leading organisational change, workforce transformation and capability-building initiatives.
- Exceptional stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships and influence at all levels.
- Proven success leading, coaching and developing high-performing teams.
- Strategic thinking, resilience and sound judgement when navigating complex and sensitive people matters.
- A passion for continuous improvement, innovation and delivering exceptional people outcomes.
- Above all, we are seeking a leader who values people, inspires others through their actions, and is committed to creating an environment where individuals and teams can perform at their best while contributing to a mission of national importance.

Application Closing Date: Sunday 30 August 2026

For further information please review the job information pack, reference ASA/04473/26 on https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/?jati=485293CB-97BB-EE4C-F172-ED3330044388

📌 HR Strategic Director (Australia)
🏢 Australian Submarine Agency
📍 Australia