About the Australian Academy of Science

The Australian Academy of Science is a national learned academy of distinguished Australian scientists. For over 70 years the Academy has championed science for the benefit of all.

We are a non-government not-for-profit organisation convening the country’s leading experts from broad scientific fields to provide independent evidence-based advice and advocacy that informs government policy, aids decision making across industry, guides public debate, supports STEM education outcomes and contributes to global science.

The Academy’s offices are located in Canberra in the ACT, operating out of two iconic heritage listed buildings, the Shine Doe and Ian Potter House in the centre of the city.

We acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Owners of the lands on which the Academy Fellows and employees live and work, and to their elders, past and present.

Our Culture

The Academy reflects organisational values that earn and sustain trust. The Academy is independent, non-partisan and ethical; acts with integrity, honesty, and transparency; supports diversity and inclusion and is respectful of sources of knowledge, such as those of First Nations people.

We offer a safe, flexible and inclusive work environment and strive to create an environment that connects, respects and values staff. We promote a culture that supports collaboration, initiative and ingenuity, investing in staff to nurture and develop them as professionals.

Employee Benefits

The Academy strives to provide its staff with exceptional benefits and support.

Benefits available to staff at the Academy include:

• Free parking in the city
• Up to 17% superannuation
• Salary packaging options
• Flexible working hours
• Paid Christmas closedown
• Employee assistance program
• Professional Development support

The Position

The Corporate Services division provides essential advice and support to the Academy’s Fellows and the Secretariat team. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), as part of the Corporate Services leadership team, the Head of People & Culture (P&C) plays a key role in the delivery of these services. The Head of P&C is accountable for the delivery of people strategies as well as operational advice and hands on human resources, payroll and diversity support to managers and employees across the organisation.

The Head of P&C guides and supports the Academy Council and Senior Management Team to provide the HR tools and expertise to enable them to realise the Academy objectives. The role works in close collaboration with the Senior Management Team to lead the translation of diversity and inclusion (D&I) strategy into embedded organisational practice.

This is an exciting opportunity for a high-performing and experienced HR generalist to lead a People & Culture function in a progressive, for-purpose organisation. The successful candidate will join a supportive and welcoming team and have the opportunity to influence and shape the People and Culture landscape.

The role is available on an ongoing contract, based in Canberra, with the option for full-time or part-time hours.

Duties and Responsibilities

This role is broad and varied. Key responsibilities include:

• Manage the Academy’s People & Culture function, including leadership of a small team, ensuring alignment with the Academy’s values and strategic plan, and enabling managers and employees to achieve the mission and objectives of the Academy.
• Provide strategic and operational human resource advice and support to senior management and employees. Implement, manage and regularly review the Academy people framework (conditions of employment, employment contracts, policies, procedures and practices) across the employee lifecycle, including workforce planning, recruitment, remuneration, payroll, induction, probation, performance management, termination, grievances, learning and development, leave and employee retention.
• Provide high-level advice on the development of D&I strategy and operationalise the strategy into plans and programs to advance diversity and inclusion across the Secretariat workforce, Academy Fellowship and working towards modelling leadership and excellence for the broader STEM sector.

To access the full Position Description please visit our website.

Qualifications and Experience

• Relevant tertiary qualification.
• CPHR qualification is highly desirable.

Selection Criteria

• Proven senior-level experience in generalist HR roles with the ability to work effectively at both a strategic and operational level.
• Demonstrated experience, capability and commitment to improving workplace diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
• Strong people leadership experience and capability.
• Highly developed emotional intelligence and empathy with demonstrated capability to effectively deal with sensitive and complex people issues.
• Expertise and proven capability in all aspects of the employee lifecycle.
• Strong understanding and experience in the application of the Australian employment legislative framework.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain strong stakeholder relationships and influence outcomes.
• A commitment to workplace diversity, workplace participation, WHS and equity principles.

Contact Details

Further information on the position is available from Melissa Abberton, Chief Operating Officer at [email protected] using the subject line: Head of People and Culture enquiry via EthicalJobs.