WHS People Support - Assistant Director

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Harrison McMillan is seeking a People Support Assistant Director (EL1) to work with a Federal Government Department in Canberra

Job details

This is an exciting opportunity in the People and Capability team focused on strengthening people support services and fostering a safe, healthy and psychologically supportive workplace. The role operates in a complex case management and industrial relations environment, leading the delivery of functions including case management, workplace relations, health and performance, work health and safety, and early intervention to effectively manage risk and meet legislative obligations.

Deliverables

• Lead the management of complex and sensitive health, performance and workplace relations cases, providing expert advice and ensuring outcomes are fair, consistent and aligned with legislative, policy and APS frameworks

• Provide specialist expertise in injury management and rehabilitation, including overseeing return to work programs, managing complex or high-risk cases, and ensuring early intervention approaches are effectively applied

• Interpret and apply work health and safety, workers’ compensation and employment legislation to manage risk, inform decision-making, and support compliance across the agency

• Lead the identification, assessment and management of psychosocial and physical risks in the workplace, contributing to a proactive and preventative approach to health, safety and wellbeing

• Provide high-level advice to senior leaders on complex people matters, including case strategy, risk management, and appropriate interventions to support both employee wellbeing and organisational outcomes

• Mentor, coach and support team members to build capability in case management, workplace relations and WHS, fostering sound decision-making, consistency and professional growth

• Foster a positive, collaborative team environment that supports psychological safety, encourages open communication, and promotes effective ways of working

• Establish and promote best practice approaches to case management, rehabilitation and early intervention, ensuring consistent, high-quality service delivery

• Develop, implement and continuously improve systems, processes and guidance material to support effective management of health, safety and people-related risks

• Engage and build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including senior leaders, regulators and service providers, to support case outcomes and broader workplace initiatives

• Lead and contribute to projects and initiatives that strengthen organisational capability in health, safety, wellbeing and workplace relations

• Monitor emerging risks, trends and issues, and provide strategic advice to inform proactive workforce management and organisational improvement

• Ensure quality assurance, reporting and compliance requirements are met, including preparing complex correspondence, briefs and reports

• Build strong working relationships with managers, employees, legal teams, unions, APS agencies and the APSC where relevant

• Provide clear, confident and tailored communication to support understanding of complex issues

Essential criteria

• The ability to think strategically and support shared purpose and direction

• Well refined ability to be flexible and adapt to change

• The ability to manage, develop and support networks and relationships

• Self-motivation, with a track record of taking responsibility and delivering results

• Demonstrated high-level organisational and administrative skills and experience

• Enthusiasm for new challenges and applying skills confidently in a range of situations

• Excellent research, analysis and problem-solving skills

This role is a 12-month non-ongoing contract