Assistant Director P&C Business Partnering

Summary
We are looking for a capable and enthusiastic Assistant Director to join our small but talented People and Capability team. This is a leadership role full of variety with plenty of opportunities to learn, grow and expand the breadth of your HR and Business Partnering skills.
The role provides leadership to the Business Partnering team, supporting all employee lifecycle activities, including recruitment and selection, learning and development and performance management, investigating and resolving employee relations matters, advising, and coaching managers on a complex and/or sensitive people matters, and leading HR policy and project initiatives. We have a rewarding year ahead with plenty in the pipeline, so a fantastic opportunity to help influence and achieve impactful outcomes for the team, function and agency.
About the position
The Assistant Director, P&C Business Partnering will report directly to the Chief People Officer and be responsible for leading a small team in the delivery of timely and considered Business Partnering services and projects for TEQSA, working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
The Assistant Director will provide strategic and operational HR advice and support to senior leaders, managers, and staff, including guidance on a broad range of people matters, implement cyclical HR activities and work on strategic projects and initiatives. They will maintain an in-depth knowledge of relevant legislation, policy, procedures, and guidelines and HR best practice and will provide responsive, high-quality advice and support to the CPO and keep them updated on escalated and/or critical matters.
The Assistant Director will foster influential relationships with internal and external stakeholders, exercise both initiative and sound judgement to resolve complex and/or sensitive matters and will provide recommendations on the appropriate course of action and remediation activities.
The key duties of the position include

1. providing timely, high-quality advice and support to the CPO on Business Partnering and employee relations matters, emerging issues and risks, and progress against relevant operational and strategic priorities and projects.
2. leading the design, development and delivery of P&C initiatives aimed at enhancing workforce performance, employee engagement and agency culture.
3. leading, managing and developing the capabilities of a small team responsible for delivering a broad range of Business Partnering and operational HR services, and policy and project activities; foster consistency in approach and service delivery across the agency.
4. proactively monitoring systems and processes and identify and implementing opportunities for business process improvement to create efficiencies, optimise effort and manage workloads.
5. preparing and responding to regular and ad hoc external reporting and workforce data requests, ensuring quality and accuracy, and following appropriate approval channels.
6. leading P&C projects (developing new strategies, implementing new systems/software etc.) and providing end-to-end support and guidance, including developing business cases, managing procurement activities, preparing relevant project reports and documentation, and liaising with external stakeholders as required.
7. providing expert and sound policy and procedural interpretation and advice on enterprise agreement and other relevant HR legislation, policies and programs to the CPO and people leaders.
8. working closely and collaboratively with senior management and other business areas to design and deliver tailored and effective employee outcomes in areas such as recruitment and retention, employee development, performance management, remuneration and rewards, diversity and inclusion, effective communication, and staff engagement.
9. preparing internal and external briefings and correspondence for the CPO, including Accountable Authority briefings, Ministerial briefings and correspondence, Senate Estimates briefings, and managing follow-up actions and requests as appropriate.
10. performing other duties and contributing to projects as directed.

Our ideal candidate
TEQSA is looking for high-performing team members who are passionate about contributing to the excellence of the P&C function and Australian higher education.
Our ideal candidate will have:

• strong leadership skills and experience in setting direction, motivating, and developing staff, driving culture and values, managing team performance for quality and timely outcomes, and managing multiple business priorities and projects simultaneously.
• extensive experience in the delivery of a range of Business Partnering activities and HR projects across the whole employee lifecycle, including performance management, recruitment, talent management, employee relations and engagement surveys.
• an in-depth understanding of HR principles, practices and the employee lifecycle.
• strong written communication skills and attention to detail, including the ability to prepare, review and submit high quality advice, reports, strategies, policies, and briefs for a range of audiences.
• high level research, data analysis and problem-solving skills, including the ability to take a proactive, considered approach to risk identification and making sound recommendations on employee relations and other HR matters.
• excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills, the ability to build and maintain strong and trusted stakeholder relationships and to leverage these to make well-reasoned decisions, harness opportunities and advise stakeholders confidently.

Qualifications and experience

• Bachelor's degree in business, HR or a related discipline and evidence of ongoing professional development is desirable.
• An understanding of planning and governance requirements and HR practices in the Australian Public Service (APS) and relevant practical experience will be advantageous but not essential.
• Relevant experience working with HRIMS (BigRedSky, Aurion) will be highly regarded.