Director People and Corporate Services

Director People and Corporate Services SafeWork NSW is the state’s work health and safety regulator. Our purpose is to protect workers by preventing and reducing work-related fatalities, serious injuries and illness and by securing compliance with work health and safety legislation. SafeWork NSW is undertaking a significant program of transformation as we strengthen our capability and mature our operating model as a modern, trusted and standalone regulator. This is an opportunity to join our leadership team at a pivotal time, shaping culture, capability and corporate services that enable our frontline regulatory work and support our people to perform at their best. Senior leadership role where your people leadership and ability to lead a multi-disciplinary corporate services function will shape organisational performance and enable regulatory excellence. Ongoing role based in central office locations (Sydney, Parramatta and Gosford); in-office presence required. Total Remuneration Package from $233,000 per annum, commensurate with experience. About the Role As Director People and Corporate Services, you will lead an integrated portfolio spanning People & Culture, Safety & Wellbeing, Training & Development, Finance, Communications & Media, Stakeholder engagement, and Business Operations. This is a strategic leadership role responsible for delivering high-quality corporate services that enable SafeWork NSW to achieve its objectives and deliver outcomes for workers, employers and the community. You will set direction and provide expert advice across workforce strategy, organisational development, safety and wellbeing, financial stewardship, communications, and business operations. You will operate as a trusted business partner to the Executive Leadership Team driving strong governance, disciplined planning and performance and fit-for-purpose corporate systems and services. While this role has a strong people and culture focus, it also carries end-to-end accountability for corporate services that underpin organisational effectiveness, operational delivery and sustainable performance. Role Responsibilities Lead the strategic direction, performance and continuous improvement of the People and Corporate Services portfolio, ensuring high-quality, customer-focused services aligned to organisational priorities. Lead the development, implementation and evaluation of stakeholder engagement plans, programs, projects and initiatives to align with the agency's vision and strategic direction Drive workforce strategy, workforce planning, organisational design, talent and performance approaches that build a capable, engaged and future-ready workforce. Lead and develop our safety and wellbeing strategy, supporting a psychologically and physically safe workplace and promoting proactive wellbeing and injury management practices. Oversee learning, capability and leadership development programs that uplift capability across the organisation and support regulatory professionalism. Provide strong financial stewardship, including budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and oversight of resource allocation to support organisational priorities and value for money. Lead communications and media functions to support internal engagement, organisational change, and clear and consistent external messaging. Oversee business operations functions (including corporate governance and operational support services as relevant), ensuring robust systems, policy frameworks, compliance and service standards. Champion change management and organisational development initiatives that support SafeWork NSW’s transformation and strengthen trust, transparency and accountability. Build productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, influencing strategic decisions and delivering integrated outcomes across the organisation. Does This Sound Like You? You are a senior leader with strong capability in people leadership and organisational culture, and experience leading complex, multi-disciplinary corporate services functions. You Bring strategic expertise in human resources, workforce planning, organisational development, capability uplift and change leadership in large, complex environments. You have strong financial acumen and can provide disciplined stewardship of budgets, resources and performance, aligned to organisational priorities. You are an effective communicator with experience guiding internal engagement and/or corporate communications in a complex stakeholder environment. You build trust quickly, work collaboratively, and can balance strategic direction with operational delivery and continuous improvement. You are comfortable operating in a public sector or highly regulated environment, with a strong understanding of governance, compliance and accountability expectations. HR or related qualifications are strongly preferred, though not mandatory. Interested? If you’re a strategic HR leader looking to make a meaningful impact, we’d love to hear from you. Please submit an up‑to‑date CV along with a Cover Letter outlining your relevant skills and experience. System request: Combine your CV and Cover Letter into a single document and upload it under the CV/Resume section. Click Here to access the Role Description. For enquiries relating to recruitment please contact Caitlin Birrell via Closing Date: Thursday 29 January 2026 at 9:59am Visit the Capability Application Tool to prepare for the recruitment process by accessing practice application and interview questions based on the focus capabilities listed in the role description. Careers at Department of Customer Service A career at the Department of Customer Service (DCS) gives you the opportunity to help improve government services and be part of reform that benefits people across NSW. We are focused on delivering excellent customer service, digital transformation, and regulatory reform. Come join us and influence the future of our great state. Belong in our diverse and inclusive workplace The strength of our workforce lies in its diversity and embracing difference, while the key to our success is leveraging the contributions of employees with different backgrounds and perspectives. You can view our full diversity and inclusion statement here. You can contact Caitlin Birrell at or if you require any support or adjustments to participate in the selection process. For more information, please visit Information on some of the different types of disabilities Information on adjustments available for the recruitment process #J-18808-Ljbffr