Director, People and Culture Operations

About this role

Are you a forward-thinking leader ready to transform how critical people services are delivered across a large and complex public sector organisation?

The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action is seeking an experienced human resources operations executive to lead a high-performing people function that puts customer service at the centre—delivering responsive, reliable and user-focused HR, payroll and recruitment services that make it easier for employees and managers to get the support they need.

About the role

Reporting to the Executive Director, People and Culture, the Director, People and Culture Operations provides strategic leadership and operational oversight across DEECA's people operations function.

The role is accountable for delivering high-quality, compliant and employee-centred people services, enabled through our PeopleCentral (SAP SuccessFactors) system and supported by modern, customer-focused, digital service delivery.

As a key member of the People & Culture Divisional Executive Leadership Team, you will play a pivotal role in shaping people strategies, refining operating models and driving continuous improvement across the function.

About you:

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Executive leadership experience in HR operations, shared services or a comparable business operations environment within a large, complex matrix organisation.
• Experience delivering payroll and related HR services through managed service providers and within state and Commonwealth employment policy settings.
• Demonstrated success in service reform, process optimisation and digital transformation and emerging tools including automation and AI.
• Exceptional leadership capability, with the ability to build, inspire and develop high-performing teams.
• A strong commitment to customer-centric service delivery and continuous improvement.
• Experience operating in a risk-aware, compliance-driven environment.
• Highly developed stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.

About the organisation 

We employ approximately 6,300 staff, including around 600 seasonal staff, across more than 86 locations throughout Victoria, across energy, environment, climate action, water, agriculture, and resources portfolios.

Our challenge is to maintain Victoria's liveability, with a population expected to almost double by 2050, while responding to climate change and protecting our natural environment, infrastructure and heritage for future generations. We take a community-centred approach and involve communities and key stakeholders in decisions and policies that affect them and we collaborate across our portfolios to design and deliver services and programs.

This is a fixed term position available for a period of up to 5 years. The work location for this position is flexible within Victoria with hybrid work arrangements available.

To be considered for this position, applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter (no longer than 2 pages) summarising their skills and relevant experience.

For further information, please refer to the attached position description or call Stephen Creaney, Executive Director, People and Culture on 0477 309 359 or email stephen.creaney@deeca.vic.gov.au.

Applications close at midnight on Sunday, 12 July 2026.

Other relevant information:

Preferred candidates will be required to:

• undertake pre-employment screening, including completion of a Declaration and Consent form and a National Police Check
• have their misconduct declarations validated, irrespective of whether misconduct has been declared or not
• provide at least two appropriate referees, including their current direct line manager or where relevant (i.e. because they are not employed) most recent direct line manager in accordance with the requirements set out in executive reference checks.
• provide evidence of their right to work in Australia

For more information about the pre-screening requirements for this position, please refer to the position description.

To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants will possess corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period. Appointment to an ongoing position is only available to an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.  

A Diverse, Inclusive and Flexible Workplace

DEECA welcomes applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds and we focus on the essential requirements of the job and being consistent and fair in our treatment of all applicants. We also understand that a balanced life is important to our employees. Talk to us about our flexible options such as working some days from home, starting early or late, working part time, job sharing or accessing paid or unpaid leave.

If you are viewing this advertisement from LinkedIn or SEEK, please visit www.careers.vic.gov.au for further information including the position description and key selection criteria.