Job Director Talent and People Operations, The Rocks

Director Talent and People Operations (Parental leave cover)

• Shape people strategy and lead core workforce operations across a dynamic and creative portfolio

• Senior Executive Band 1

• Temporary role from September 2025 to November 2026, based in Sydney CBD

About the role:

We’re seeking a senior people leader to step into the Director, Talent and People Operations role to cover a period of parental leave, from September 2025 to November 2026. Reporting to the Chief People Officer, you’ll lead a high-performing team and play a critical role in delivering strategic and operational workforce services across the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport.

The role is responsible for workforce functions including talent acquisition (executive and non-executive), internal mobility, workforce systems, external provider oversight, and workforce analytics. You’ll be a senior advisor and trusted partner to the Chief People Officer, supporting leadership across the full People and Capability agenda and stepping into key matters as required. You'll provide strategic advice to the Secretary, senior executives and portfolio agencies, and support key transformation programs across the department and portfolio.

You’ll also play a key leadership role in a period of organisational transformation, helping to drive the people strategy while ensuring continuity in operational delivery across the department.

This is an opportunity to join a vibrant and evolving department that’s focused on growing creative industries, activating the night-time economy, and supporting arts, sport and culture across NSW.

To learn more about the role, please click here to download the role description.

About you:

You’re an experienced HR leader with strong NSW public sector knowledge and a track record of delivering workforce outcomes in complex environments. You bring a deep understanding of the GSE Act, executive employment frameworks, and workforce systems. You're experienced in managing relationships with key providers across payroll, HCM and contingent workforce services, and using data to inform strategy.

You bring sound judgement and a confident, calm approach in complex or sensitive situations. You’ll have excellent judgement, a collaborative style, and a practical approach to solving people challenges. You’re comfortable working closely with senior executives and stepping into leadership discussions, helping to shape and deliver on a range of people matters across the department and wider portfolio. Your ability to navigate change, support senior leaders and influence outcomes will be key to success in this role.

How to apply:

Please include a very short cover letter and brief resume that details your capabilities and experience in relation to the above role.

Closing date:

Friday 25 July 2025 [10.00AM]

Contact:

For any questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact ***************@dciths.nsw.gov.au.

For any questions regarding the role, please contact Ana Kalogirou, Executive Officer to the Chief People Officer at ***************@dciths.nsw.gov.au

Working at the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport

At the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport we bring vibrancy to NSW by growing our creative industries and workforces, driving strong visitor and night-time economies, ensuring a responsible hospitality sector, and putting arts, culture and sport at the heart of our communities.

Together we:

• create social and economic opportunities for the state

• support the creation of jobs across the creative, visitor and night-time economies

• prioritise First Nations artists, stories and culture

• ensure arts, culture and sport are at the heart of every community to be enjoyed and accessed by all

• drive visitation through events, campaigns and visitor experience development

• activate our night-time and creative economies to unlock unique precincts and community spaces

• deliver a vibrant and responsible hospitality, liquor, racing and gaming environment

• support NSW’s key Cultural Institutions to ensure access for all, enable community experiences and education and preserve the state’s diverse cultural assets and history.

We believe diversity across our department allows us to be a true reflection of NSW citizens. We are a respectful workplace committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. If you do require an adjustment during the recruitment process, please notify us on your application form.

A talent pool may be created from this recruitment action for ongoing and temporary roles for this role or similar roles that may become available over the next 18 months.