Do you have strong experience as an HR leader?
Have you well-developed relationship management and communication skills?
Are you keen to work in a collegial organisation, which contributes to the well-being of the Australian community?

The Australian Orthopaedic Association (AOA) is seeking an HR, People and Culture Executive Manager to have oversight of the organisation’s HR functions. The role provides strategic and operational leadership, ensuring that culture, workforce capability and people practices support the achievement of AOA's Strategic Plan and operational priorities.

The prospect

We are seeking an experienced HR leader with vision, commitment and integrity.
The role supports the CEO and Executive Leadership Group (ELG) in sustaining and continuing to build an engaging workplace culture which is positive, professional, psychologically safe, flexible, and which provides opportunities for growth and development for all staff. It supports AOA's expansion and promotes continuous improvement, innovation and accountability.

This is a full-time, permanent position which reports to, and works closely with, the CEO.

It is expected that AOA will commence 2027 with a staff of approximately 80. Thirty to thirty-five will be located in each of South Australia and NSW, while there are others working in Queensland (6), Victoria (4) and WA (1). AOA has a diverse mix of staff – the age range is from 24-81 years; there are over 20 different ethnicities across our team and professional backgrounds include accountants; researchers; nurses and educators; technology and project managers; statisticians and data analysts; communications, management and administrative specialists.

Flexibility is valued by the AOA team and those who work from the Adelaide and Sydney offices have hybrid working arrangements.

The role involves:

- Oversight of all elements of the employment life-cycle, from recruitment and talent acquisition to onboarding; performance development, review and management; retention - including succession planning; and offboarding

- Work Health & Safety (WHS), Codes of Practice and Fair Work Commission (FWC) and employment-related compliance

- Ensure that all AOA Staff and HR policies are contemporary, relevant and aligned with the requirements of regulatory bodies

- Implement communication & education for staff, managers and ELG regarding all employment, legal, compliance and policy requirements

- Continue to enhance and foster a positive, supportive and professional AOA culture and the building of a collaborative, cohesive team - underpinned by respect and the pillars of the AOA Staff Values Statement and Code of Conduct





- Lead initiatives to foster employee well-being by implementing programs and education to support the health and well being of team members

- Develop and implement strategies to enhance diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging

- Oversee professional learning, career development and mentoring programs

- Provide leadership in critical role successor identification, and work closely with the CEO to support completion of the executive annual performance review and individual development plans

- Support the CEO and Board to ensure that the executive structure, roles, accountabilities and remuneration settings are benchmarked and fit for purpose.

To be successful in the role applicants will have the following knowledge, skills and experience:

- Ability to champion the organisation's and staff values and work collaboratively to contribute to co-creating and maintaining a positive team culture which prioritises psychosocial health

- Extensive knowledge of Work Health & Safety (WHS), Codes of Practices , legal and Fair Work Commission (FWC) employment-related requirements

- Experience in developing and implementing HR policies aligned with regulatory requirements

- Strong awareness of the risks inherent in this portfolio, with the capacity to assess risks - and develop & implement actions to mitigate and manage risks

- Capability to provide advice on critical role successor identification and executive performance reviews

- Experience in recruitment and performance management processes

- Ability to work with Finance team members to manage employee entitlements such as payroll and leave

- Experience in regular review and evaluation of staff satisfaction and implementation of innovations to support staff

- Knowledge of contemporary issues in the HR field -and professional networking capability

- High level of motivation, initiative, professionalism, commitment and capacity to work hard
and independently

- Leadership, team-building and project management skills

- Highly developed interpersonal skills, including the capacity to develop positive working
relationships and to work collaboratively and empathetically with team members

- Exceptional written communication skills, including the ability to draft complex and sensitive
correspondence

- Highly developed organisation skills, with the ability to prioritise and manage time and
competing priorities whilst working to deadlines





- Effective problem-solving skills, and the capacity to be proactive, creative, resourceful,
adaptable and responsive to team members.

Gaining familiarity with the organisation's vision, purpose and strategic plan and each employee's role and responsibilities, required skills, particular context, objectives and challenges will be essential during the first months in the role.

The appointee will have:

- Tertiary qualifications in relevant legal, HR , business, health and/or education-related fields, with extensive relevant experience; and

- Extensive experience and expertise as a leader, with a demonstrated capacity to work collaboratively with teams; or

- An equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training and
proven experience and expertise in the role of HR/people and culture; change management leadership and human resource skills and education/qualifications.

About the Company:

The Australian Orthopaedic Association (AOA) is the peak professional organisation for orthopaedic surgery in Australia. AOA is a not-for-profit, public company limited by guarantee.
AOA:

- provides high-quality specialist education, training and continuing professional development for Australian orthopaedic surgeons

- is committed to ensuring the highest possible standard of orthopaedic care

- is the leading authority in the provision of orthopaedic information to the community

- actively supports scientific research and orthopaedic humanitarian initiatives in Australia and overseas

- operates the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (based in Adelaide) which has a core function of monitoring outcomes of all arthroplasty procedures and participating in research projects as approved by the Board.

AOA has more than 2000 members, consisting of most orthopaedic consultants and trainees (registrars) in Australian hospitals, and spanning all orthopaedic subspecialties.

AOA is governed by a Board of Directors elected by Fellows of the Association. The Chief Executive Officer, appointed by the Board, is responsible for AOA’s operations under delegations from the Board. To assist the Chief Executive Officer, the AOA’s operations are separated into portfolios which are stewarded by members of the Executive Leadership Group.

To apply:

Submit your application through SEEK.
Your application should include:

- a cover letter outlining how you meet the essential experience, skills and qualifications for the role as outlined above

- a current CV/resume

Applications close: COB Monday 21 September, 2026

No agencies please. You must have the right to live and work in Australia.

📌 HR, People & Culture Executive Manager (Sydney)
🏢 Australian Orthopaedic Association
📍 Sydney