Manager, People & Organisational Development

The chance to be part of shaping a workplace where people thriveNew, full-time fixed term position until 2031Salary range commencing at $160,000About usThe City of Unley is a vibrant and dynamic local council that provides a range of valued and diverse services to the surrounding community. Based on the city fringe, less than 4 kilometres from the Adelaide CBD, we engage with our community across local business initiatives, community events, arts, environmental sustainability, community services and volunteering programs.We are passionate leaders in many fields, and we exist to enable a better life for our community.We are committed to creating a connected, progressive and resilient City that embraces new ideas, prioritises sustainability, and enhances quality of life.About the roleThe City of Unley is seeking a contemporary, values driven Manager, People & Organisational Development to lead our people and organisational capability agenda at a pivotal time for the organisation.This is a senior leadership role with real influence – central to shaping a workplace where people feel supported, safe, capable, connected and proud. When our people thrive, we are best placed to deliver meaningful outcomes for our community.Reporting to the General Manager, Community & Organisational Development, you will lead the full breadth of people services and organisational development functions, including Work Health and Safety and Payroll, while also acting as the People Project Lead for the Organisational Plan 2026-2030.This is an opportunity for a highly capable leader who is equally comfortable ensuring day-to-day operational reliability as they are driving organisational change and improvement.In this role, you will: Lead the organisation’s people and organisational development functions, balancing operational excellence with strategic leadership.Deliver positive, consistent employee experience across the entire employee lifecycle.Act as a trusted adviser to the Executive Leadership Team and Managers on complex people, performance and workplace matters.Lead payroll, workforce systems and people operations, ensuring compliance, reliability and data integrity.Provide strong leadership in Work Health and Safety, embedding a proactive and preventative approach to physical and psychosocial safety.Lead workforce planning, leadership capability, performance development, talent management and succession planning.Lead co-design, implementation and governance of organisation-wide people initiatives as the People Project Lead.Lead, develop and build a high-performing People & Organisational Development team.About youYou are a skilled and credible people leader with:Significant senior-level experience leading HR/ People & Organisational Development functions.Relevant tertiary qualifications (e.g. in human resources, psychology, business).Demonstrated experience delivering complex, organisation-wide people or workforce initiatives.Experience overseeing payroll and/or Work Health and Safety.Strong organisational development expertise across culture, leadership and workforce capability.Sound knowledge of employment, industrial relations and WHS legislation.Highly developed communication, influence and stakeholder management skills.Proven ability to lead teams, manage resources and deliver outcomes within agreed timeframes and budgets.Local government or public sector experience will be well regarded.Why work with the City of Unley?For 150 years, the City of Unley has been defined by service – to our residents, our businesses, our neighbourhoods, and to each other. Generations of employees and volunteers have been united by a commitment to serve and have contributed to making Unley a place of character, connection, resilience and pride. Building on our proud history, we have an aspiration and a plan to continue to evolve, strengthen our culture and create the conditions for every person to do their best work and make a meaningful impact each day.We believe this is a great time to join us to shape and share in the future.More informationAll enquiries and applications will remain private and confidential. Position specific enquiries can be directed to Vanessa Godden, General Manager, Community & Organisational Development at vgodden@unley.sa.gov.au or on 8273 8781.Applications should include a Cover Letter and Resume expressing the skills, experience and qualities you can bring to this position.Applications close 5pm Sunday 17 May 2026.This position is subject to satisfactorily meeting the following employment requirements:Nationally Coordinated Criminal History CheckFacet-5 Personality ProfilingEveryone belongs at UnleyAs part of our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, this role is open to candidates seeking workplace flexibility. We invite candidates of all ages and culturally diverse backgrounds including people living with a disability and First Nations People to apply.We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to provide a positive, barrier-free recruitment process and a supportive workplace. Please refer to the General Manager’s contact details above for any support you need along the way.  #S-DNIPosition Description AUD Unley 5061

Manager, People & Organisational Development

  • The chance to be part of shaping a workplace where people thrive
  • New, full-time fixed term position until 2031
  • Salary range commencing at $160,000

About us

The City of Unley is a vibrant and dynamic local council that provides a range of valued and diverse services to the surrounding community. Based on the city fringe, less than 4 kilometres from the Adelaide CBD, we engage with our community across local business initiatives, community events, arts, environmental sustainability, community services and volunteering programs.

We are passionate leaders in many fields, and we exist to enable a better life for our community.

We are committed to creating a connected, progressive and resilient City that embraces new ideas, prioritises sustainability, and enhances quality of life.

About the role

The City of Unley is seeking a contemporary, values driven Manager, People & Organisational Development to lead our people and organisational capability agenda at a pivotal time for the organisation.

This is a senior leadership role with real influence – central to shaping a workplace where people feel supported, safe, capable, connected and proud. When our people thrive, we are best placed to deliver meaningful outcomes for our community.

Reporting to the General Manager, Community & Organisational Development, you will lead the full breadth of people services and organisational development functions, including Work Health and Safety and Payroll, while also acting as the People Project Lead for the Organisational Plan 2026-2030.

This is an opportunity for a highly capable leader who is equally comfortable ensuring day-to-day operational reliability as they are driving organisational change and improvement.

In this role, you will: 

  • Lead the organisation’s people and organisational development functions, balancing operational excellence with strategic leadership.
  • Deliver positive, consistent employee experience across the entire employee lifecycle.
  • Act as a trusted adviser to the Executive Leadership Team and Managers on complex people, performance and workplace matters.
  • Lead payroll, workforce systems and people operations, ensuring compliance, reliability and data integrity.
  • Provide strong leadership in Work Health and Safety, embedding a proactive and preventative approach to physical and psychosocial safety.
  • Lead workforce planning, leadership capability, performance development, talent management and succession planning.
  • Lead co-design, implementation and governance of organisation-wide people initiatives as the People Project Lead.
  • Lead, develop and build a high-performing People & Organisational Development team.

About you

You are a skilled and credible people leader with:

  • Significant senior-level experience leading HR/ People & Organisational Development functions.
  • Relevant tertiary qualifications (e.g. in human resources, psychology, business).
  • Demonstrated experience delivering complex, organisation-wide people or workforce initiatives.
  • Experience overseeing payroll and/or Work Health and Safety.
  • Strong organisational development expertise across culture, leadership and workforce capability.
  • Sound knowledge of employment, industrial relations and WHS legislation.
  • Highly developed communication, influence and stakeholder management skills.
  • Proven ability to lead teams, manage resources and deliver outcomes within agreed timeframes and budgets.
  • Local government or public sector experience will be well regarded.

Why work with the City of Unley?

For 150 years, the City of Unley has been defined by service – to our residents, our businesses, our neighbourhoods, and to each other. Generations of employees and volunteers have been united by a commitment to serve and have contributed to making Unley a place of character, connection, resilience and pride. Building on our proud history, we have an aspiration and a plan to continue to evolve, strengthen our culture and create the conditions for every person to do their best work and make a meaningful impact each day.

We believe this is a great time to join us to shape and share in the future.

More information

All enquiries and applications will remain private and confidential. Position specific enquiries can be directed to Vanessa Godden, General Manager, Community & Organisational Development at vgodden@unley.sa.gov.au or on 8273 8781.

Applications should include a Cover Letter and Resume expressing the skills, experience and qualities you can bring to this position.

Applications close 5pm Sunday 17 May 2026.

This position is subject to satisfactorily meeting the following employment requirements:

  • Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check
  • Facet-5 Personality Profiling

Everyone belongs at Unley

As part of our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, this role is open to candidates seeking workplace flexibility. We invite candidates of all ages and culturally diverse backgrounds including people living with a disability and First Nations People to apply.

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to provide a positive, barrier-free recruitment process and a supportive workplace. Please refer to the General Manager’s contact details above for any support you need along the way.  

#S-DNI

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