Workforce Strategy Lead

An opportunity is available for an experienced Organisational Development specialist to lead the implementation, integration and governance of DEECA’s Workforce Strategy.

This role sits in the Culture, Capability and Belonging Branch within People and Culture. The branch partners across DEECA to build organisational capability, strengthen leadership, respond to employee feedback and support an inclusive, safe and high-performing culture.

The Workforce Strategy Lead will play a central role in translating enterprise workforce priorities into a coordinated work program that supports DEECA to respond to current and future workforce challenges.

This is not an HR business partnering role. The role is best suited to an OD, workforce strategy or organisational effectiveness practitioner with experience working across systems, aligning initiatives and supporting enterprise-level people outcomes.

About the role

The Workforce Strategy Lead operates as a strategic advisor and integrator across DEECA’s Workforce Strategy. The role works closely with teams across People and Culture and with stakeholders across the department to connect workforce data, organisational priorities and employee experience insights into clear actions, roadmaps and governance arrangements.

The role will support the development and lead the ongoing implementation, review and refinement of the Workforce Strategy, including sequencing work, managing dependencies, supporting prioritisation and establishing clear evaluation and reporting approaches.

The role also leads a small team responsible for culture and workforce experience initiatives, providing direction, coaching and oversight to ensure delivery is aligned, practical and focused on outcomes.

Key responsibilities

The Workforce Strategy Lead will:

• support development and lead implementation, review and refinement of DEECA’s Workforce Strategy
• integrate Workforce Strategy priorities with related People and Culture initiatives, including culture, capability, leadership and workforce planning workstreams
• establish and maintain governance, assurance, escalation and reporting arrangements
• translate workforce data and insights into clear priorities, roadmaps and options for senior decision-makers
• support preparation of briefings, papers and advice for executive and governance forums
• oversee benefits, evaluation measures, risk and issue management, and reporting cycles
• lead and develop a small team, setting clear objectives and supporting delivery
• work collaboratively across People and Culture and with internal stakeholders to support co-design, alignment and implementation.

About you

You will bring strong Organisational Development expertise and the ability to work effectively in a complex public sector environment. You are a strategic thinker who can connect enterprise priorities with practical delivery, and you are confident influencing stakeholders, facilitating collaboration and navigating ambiguity.  You understand the inherent link between people outcomes and business outcomes, and the importance of connecting them.

You will have:

• demonstrated impact as a trusted OD, workforce strategy or organisational effectiveness specialist
• experience supporting enterprise workforce strategy, organisational culture, capability or transformation initiatives
• strong understanding of workforce planning, employee lifecycle and organisational systems
• ability to translate workforce data and insights into practical advice and decision-making products
• experience establishing governance, benefits, evaluation or reporting arrangements for complex programs
• strong stakeholder engagement, partnering and co-creation skills
• people leadership experience, including coaching and developing direct reports.

Why this role matters

DEECA’s Workforce Strategy supports the department to plan for current and future workforce needs, strengthen organisational capability and create the conditions for an inclusive, safe and high-performing culture.

This role will ensure workforce strategy is delivered through a coordinated and practical program of work that is integrated across People and Culture and responsive to the needs of the organisation.

Specialist/Technical Expertise/Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification or equivalent experience in human resource management, organisational psychology or a related field is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated impact as a trusted strategic Organisational Development subject matter expert, operating at enterprise level and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Expertise in workforce strategy design and/or integration, including connecting enterprise strategy with local workforce planning.
• Program oversight: ability to set benefits, evaluation standards and governance for complex, multi year programs.

This is an ongoing position. 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.

Please refer to the Key Selection Criteria provided in the Position Description, including the mandatory requirements.

How to Apply:

If you are a current DEECA employee, please apply via DEECA Careers. 

Click the ‘Apply’ button and you'll be redirected to a new platform and create an account.

Applications close 11.59pm on Sunday, 19 July 2026. 

All applications must be submitted through the online portal. We are unable to consider email or manual applications at this time.

Other relevant information:

Preferred candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening, including a Declaration and Consent form and a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.

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.

An inclusive, culturally safe and flexible workplace

DEECA fosters an inclusive workplace culture and is committed to a fair, accessible, and equitable recruitment process.

We strongly encourage Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander people to apply.  We recognise the strengths, knowledge and perspectives First Nations people bring and DEECA is committed to a culturally safe and respectful workplace.  If you need support to participate, please contact aboriginal.employment@deeca.vic.gov.au.

We support flexible working arrangements, including hybrid work, varied hours, part-time work and job sharing.  For more information about our recruitment processes, visit applying for a role with us.