Job Description

Head of People & Culture

Company Overview

Striive Care is a values-driven, trauma-informed organisation delivering high-quality therapeutic residential care and NDIS services across Canberra and surrounding regions. We support children and young people to heal, grow and thrive in a safe, structured and supportive environment.

We operate with purpose and clarity, guided by our values:

• Innovation – exploring new ways to make a real impact
• Motivation – going above and beyond in our support
• Purpose – empowering every young person to thrive
• Authenticity – building genuine connections
• Compassion – leading with empathy
• Transparency – operating openly and honestly

About the Role

As Head of People & Culture, you will shape and deliver a people strategy that attracts, develops and retains a safe, skilled and values-driven workforce. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and sitting on the Leadership Team, you will combine strategic direction with hands-on leadership across employment relations, recruitment, workforce planning, learning and development, work health and safety, wellbeing and organisational culture.

You will lead the People and Culture team, partner with leaders across Striive and help build a respectful, inclusive workplace where people have the capability and support to deliver quality services.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the People and Culture Strategy, aligning workforce planning, retention, diversity and succession with Striive’s values, strategic direction and service growth.
• Advise the CEO and Executive Team on workforce risks, trends and opportunities, using people reporting and workforce data to inform strategy and change.
• Lead employment relations and compliance with the Fair Work Act, National Employment Standards, SCHADS Award and other applicable awards; advise on complex workplace matters, oversee investigations and represent Striive before relevant tribunals.
• Oversee payroll accuracy, award interpretation, superannuation, privacy and record-keeping, and maintain practical, up-to-date people policies and procedures.
• Lead inclusive recruitment, worker screening and onboarding, ensuring required checks and clearances are in place and staff understand Striive’s values, safeguarding, incident reporting and service expectations.
• Lead return-to-work and injury management, supporting safe, timely and sustainable returns to work while promoting psychosocial safety and workforce wellbeing.
• Champion a respectful, inclusive culture through staff engagement, action plans, clear performance goals, regular feedback and recognition.
• Develop workforce capability through mandatory training, professional and leadership development, and support managers to lead effective teams through change.
• Lead Positive Duty and psychosocial framework initiatives to prevent and respond to discrimination, bullying, harassment and sexual harassment, ensuring workforce incidents, complaints and allegations are managed fairly and promptly.
• Lead and develop the People and Culture team; oversee HR systems and external provider contracts; and manage people-related risks, contributing to risk registers and audits.

Skills & Experience

• Minimum ten years in a senior HR or People & Culture leadership role.
• Relevant tertiary qualification in Human Resources, Organisational Psychology or a related discipline.
• Excellent communication, coaching and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Proficiency in HR systems, workforce data management and compliance frameworks.
• Working knowledge of employment law, WHS obligations and SCHADS Award application (desirable).