- Senior Executive Service Band 1: attractive remuneration package and benefits
- Location: Canberra preferred. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart, Perth considered.
- Permanent, full-time (with access to flexible working arrangements)

We are seeking a Senior Executive Band 1 (Program Manager) to fill a upcoming vacancy as Chief People Officer (CPO) in the People Services Branch of our Corporate Services Division. We're looking for a CPO who brings authenticity, sound judgement and a genuine commitment to achieving meaningful outcomes for the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

About the area

People Services Branch is a professional and collaborative team that provides expert people, culture and workplace advice across the ABS. Bringing together specialists from a broad range of disciplines, the branch is committed to delivering practical, evidence-informed solutions that support organisational success.

The branch fosters a culture of partnership, inclusion and continuous improvement, working closely with leaders and employees across the organisation to address complex workforce challenges and opportunities.

As CPO, you will lead a capable and committed team and have the opportunity to:

- foster a high-performing and inclusive culture
- develop capability and support future leaders
- empower teams to innovate and continuously improve
- create an environment where people feel valued, supported and connected to the ABS purpose
- strengthen collaboration across the branch, the ABS and the broader APS.

We believe our strongest outcomes are achieved through diverse perspectives, respectful relationships and a shared commitment to excellence in public service.

About the role

As Chief People Officer, you will be a key member of the Corporate Services Division senior leadership team, reporting to the General Manager. You will provide strategic leadership of the ABS people function and play a critical role in shaping the workforce, culture and capability required to deliver the organisation's objectives.





Leading People Services Branch, you will be accountable for the delivery, stewardship and continuous improvement of the ABS people agenda, including:

- Recruitment
- Workplace Relations
- Pay and Entitlements
- People Management and Wellbeing
- Workplace Health and Safety
- People Development
- Inclusion and Diversity
- Strategic HR Business Partnering

This is a significant enterprise leadership role requiring the ability to operate strategically while ensuring the delivery of high-quality, contemporary people services. You will provide trusted advice to senior leaders, influence organisational decision-making, lead complex change initiatives, and contribute to whole-of-APS people and workforce priorities. You will balance long-term workforce considerations with operational delivery, ensuring the ABS remains well-positioned to meet current and future challenges.

What we are looking for (selection criteria)

You will be comfortable leading complex programs and initiatives, building trusted relationships, and delivering results in dynamic and evolving environments. You know when to provide clear direction, when to empower others, and when to listen and collaborate to achieve the best outcome.

You understand that sustainable success is built through developing capability, fostering an inclusive and positive culture, and creating an environment where people can perform at their best. You make considered decisions about priorities, resources and risks, ensuring public resources are managed responsibly and deliver value.

You are adaptable, forward-thinking and solutions focused. You embrace change,



navigate complexity with confidence, and bring people with you through periods of uncertainty and transformation.

You are motivated by making a positive contribution and working collaboratively to achieve outcomes that support the ABS and the broader Australian community.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following capabilities and attributes:

- Strategic leadership and organisational impact: Demonstrated ability to translate strategic priorities into outcomes, shaping people strategies that strengthen organisational capability and support agency objectives.
- Leading in complexity and change: Proven capability to lead through ambiguity, competing priorities and organisational change while delivering strategic and operational outcomes.
- Strategic thinking and sound judgement: Ability to anticipate emerging challenges and opportunities, make informed decisions, and provide clear direction in complex and evolving environments.
- Building organisational capability and performance: Experience growing and leading high-performing teams, developing workforce capability, and fostering a culture of accountability, inclusion, innovation and continuous improvement.
- Influencing and partnering for success: Solid stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with a track record of building trusted relationships and delivering outcomes through collaboration.
- Driving workforce insights and evidence-based decision-making: Ability to leverage workforce data and insights to inform strategic workforce planning, identify risks and opportunities, and improve organisational outcomes.

How to apply To apply, complete an online application form on the ABS e-recruitment system. You will need to upload your current resume, provide referee details, and respond to the following:

In no more than 750 words, referring to the qualities, experience, and skills (outlined in Section 1 ‘About you – what we are looking for’ of the

📌 Chief People Officer (SES Band 1), People Services Branch (Sydney)
🏢 Australian Bureau Of Statistics
📍 Sydney