HR Manager

About this role

The Role Join a high-impact HR Services Branch driving workforce, governance, and service delivery outcomes across Defence. We are seeking experienced and motivated EL 1 HR Managers to lead complex portfolios including Privacy, Defence Families Australia (DFA), and Defence Portfolio Shared Services (DPSS).

At the EL 1 level, you will provide strategic leadership and trusted advice, shaping HR and corporate services in complex, sensitive, and high-profile environments. You will influence senior decision-making, manage competing priorities, and lead high-performing teams to deliver client-focused outcomes.

Successful candidates will be placed in roles aligned to their skills and experience across the HR Services Branch.

About our Team EL 1 HR Managers are a diverse, high-performing team delivering strategic and operational HR outcomes across complex environments. They provide strong leadership, set priorities, and offer expert advice to senior leaders on workforce, governance, and service delivery matters while ensuring compliance with legislative frameworks.

The team includes specialists in privacy, business management, and shared services. Privacy leaders manage advisory functions, governance, risk, and incident responses, ensuring effective controls and continuous improvement. Business Managers drive workforce planning, recruitment, organisational design, and HR policy development to align with strategic objectives. Shared Services Managers oversee service delivery, performance, and stakeholder relationships, improving consistency and efficiency across functions.

Across all roles, the team fosters collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, leads strategic initiatives, and identifies opportunities to enhance processes, systems, and service delivery. Together, they build capability, manage risk, and ensure the organisation is well-positioned to meet current and future challenges.

Our Ideal Candidate To be successful in the Assistant Director HR Manager role you will need to demonstrate some of the following skills and attributes:

• Demonstrated experience in leading delivery of HR, governance, or shared services outcomes in complex environments. • Strong understanding of relevant legislative, policy, or governance frameworks and their practical application (e.g. APS HR, privacy, or public sector administration) • Proven ability to provide strategic, risk-informed advice on complex and sensitive matters. • Experience leading and developing high-performing teams to deliver outcomes. • Highly developed communication skills, with ability to present complex information clearly and tailor advice to different audiences. • Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence and negotiate outcomes. • Ability to prioritise and deliver results under pressure in a dynamic environment.