About the Opportunity

Our client is seeking an experienced and capable Assistant Director - People Operations to join its People and Culture team on a 12-month contract based in Canberra. This is a rewarding leadership opportunity for a HR professional who thrives in managing complex people matters, providing strategic advice, and fostering a healthy, safe and high-performing workplace.

Working closely with senior leaders, you will provide expert guidance across workplace relations, employee wellbeing, injury management and rehabilitation, ensuring legislation obligations are met while supporting positive outcomes for employees.



Key Responsibilities

• Lead the management of complex and sensitive employee health, performance and workplace relations matters.
• Provide specialist advice and oversight for injury management, rehabilitation and return to work programs.
• Interpret and apply workplace health and safety, workers compensation and employment legislation to minimise organisational risk and ensure compliance.
• Support and advise on complex industrial relations matters and employment-related issues.
• Develop practical, people-focused solutions that balance legislative requirements with organisational outcomes.
• Build trusted relationships with managers and stakeholders by providing timely, strategic and evidence-based HR advice.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of people policies, procedures and wellbeing initiatives.

About You

You are an experienced HR leader with sound judgement, exceptional communication skills and the confidence to manage sensitive matters with professionalism and discretion. You will bring:

• Demonstrated experience managing complex workplace relations, performance and employee health matters.
• Strong expertise in injury management, rehabilitation and return to work coordination.
• A thorough understanding of workplace health and safety, workers compensation and employment legislation.
• Experience interpreting industrial instruments and supporting complex industrial relations issues.
• Highly developed stakeholder engagement, negotiation and influencing skills.
• The ability to provide balanced, pragmatic advice in complex and sometimes high-pressure environments.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with excellent attention to detail.
• A collaborative leadership style and commitment to fostering respectful, safe and inclusive workplaces.

Please note: Only successful applicants to progress to the next stage will be contacted

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

At Drake, we are committed to fostering diversity, inclusion, and equity. While our journey is ongoing, our shared goal is to create an environment where every individual is respected and valued. We are a community that recognises the strength of diversity.

Right to Work

The above position is open only to applicants who have a current right to work in Australia. Applicants who do not have a current right to work In Australia will unfortunately not be considered and are respectfully asked not to apply.