The People and Culture section is responsible for leading and delivering the APVMA's people plan and workforce capability agenda. The function provides expert advice and operational support across workforce planning, organisational and learning development, recruitment, performance management, employment and industrial relations, payroll, work health and safety (WHS), and diversity and inclusion.
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), the Chief People Officer (CPO) is responsible for providing strategic leadership and agency-wide direction on people and culture matters to support the delivery of the APVMA's Strategic Plan 2025–30, including attracting, developing and retaining talented people. The CPO partners closely with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the COO, and senior executives to ensure the agency's workforce capability, culture, and organisational structures are aligned with its strategic objectives.
This role is complex and operates in a dynamic regulatory environment requiring strong leadership, sound judgement, and a deep understanding of APS employment frameworks. The CPO will lead workforce transformation initiatives, embed contemporary people practices, and foster a high-performance, values-driven culture consistent with the APS Values and Code of Conduct. The CPO works closely with other sections in the Business Enabling Services Branch to ensure the delivery of high quality, client-driven services.
To be successful in this role, the CPO must demonstrate the ability to influence at the executive level, navigate sensitive industrial and organisational matters, and deliver practical, risk-informed solutions that support both regulatory capability and organisational sustainability.
The key duties of the position include:
* Lead and develop the People and Culture team, building a professional, trusted, and responsive HR function.
* Provide expert advice to the CEO, the COO, and senior executives on a broad range of complex HR matters, including recruitment, strategic workforce planning, conduct, performance management, employee relations, succession planning, WHS, payroll, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and capability development.
* Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of the APVMA People Plan and Capability Framework, ensuring alignment with the APVMA Strategy 2025–20, Corporate Plan, and Regulatory Posture Statement.
* Lead enterprise-wide organisational design initiatives to ensure structures, roles, and capability settings support the delivery of our regulatory functions and effective change management.
* Oversee the development, delivery, and evaluation of learning and development programs that drive capability uplift across the agency's regulatory science, enabling services, and leadership cohorts.
* Ensure robust WHS governance and emergency management frameworks and procedures are in place, ensuring compliance with the relevant employment legislation.
* Lead the strategic use of workforce analytics and optimise the agency's ERP, leveraging data insights and driving continuous system and process improvement to support organisational priorities and performance.
* Contribute as a member of the Business Enabling Services Branch leadership team and represent the APVMA at inter-agency HR events and forums.
* Proactively build and maintain collaborative partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, including senior executives, union representatives, and other HR professionals across the APS.
* Promote a healthy and safe workplace environment and model ethical behaviour in accordance with the APS Code of Conduct and APS Values. This includes contributing to a supportive and inclusive workplace culture.
Eligibility
The following essential criteria will be assessed:
* Demonstrated success leading a high-performing HR function in a complex, regulated, or APS environment, including the ability to lead people with empathy and foster a psychologically safe working environment.
* Demonstrated ability to deliver high quality, expert advice on complex HR matters, including the ability to drive agency-wide cultural and organisational change management initiatives.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to provide clear, persuasive advice to senior executives and prepare written briefs and papers on complex matters for a variety of audiences.
* Excellent organisation, interpersonal and administrative skills, including the demonstrated ability to be flexible, set priorities, meet deadlines, and work effectively under pressure.
* Proven ability to build, foster and maintain strong strategic relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
* High-level problem-solving skills and experience in applying expert judgement in the resolution of complex issues, including the ability to exercise discretion when dealing with sensitive or confidential matters.