People & Culture Director

Initiative - People & Culture Director

Sydney | Full Time

Shape the future of one of Australia's most respected media agencies.

Initiative is entering a pivotal chapter. As part of Omnicom Media Australia, we're bringing together scale, capability and ambition to create something exceptional - and we're looking for a senior People & Culture leader to help shape what comes next.

As the Initiative People & Culture Director, you'll be the strategic advisor to Initiative's leadership team and the owner of the national people agenda. This is a senior partnering role with real scope, visibility and influence - focused on culture, leadership, capability, employee experience and the people priorities that will help Initiative grow through its next chapter.

Why this role?

• Own the national People & Culture agenda for Initiative
• Partner directly with senior leaders and influence business decisions
• Play a key role in shaping culture, engagement and change during a period of transformation
• Focus on strategic partnering, supported by central Talent Acquisition, Learning & Experience and People Operations capability
• Join an award-winning agency known for creativity, innovation and a people-first culture

What you'll do

You'll work closely with Initiative's leadership team to bring a strong people lens to business decisions, challenge thinking where needed and turn people priorities into practical action. You'll help reset how People & Culture partners with the business: strategic, commercial, trusted and focused on impact.

• Partner with leaders on workforce strategy, organisational design and culture
• Coach and equip leaders to strengthen team performance, engagement and accountability
• Drive engagement, retention, recognition, wellbeing and employee experience initiatives
• Support change, growth and transformation initiatives with clarity and care
• Lead talent, succession, workforce planning and leadership capability conversations
• Champion diversity, equity, inclusion, wellbeing and belonging
• Use people insights and data to influence better business outcomes

About you

You're an experienced People & Culture leader who can operate with influence, judgement and commercial credibility. You're comfortable partnering with senior leaders, navigating ambiguity and helping a business move through change with confidence.

• Significant HR or People & Culture leadership experience
• A proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and build trusted relationships
• Experience leading culture, engagement, change and organisational effectiveness work
• Strong coaching, facilitation and leadership capability-building skills
• Sound ER/IR judgement and confidence managing complex people matters
• A collaborative, resilient and pragmatic approach, with the confidence to challenge respectfully

Ready to make your mark?

If you're looking for a career-defining opportunity to shape culture, influence strategy and help lead the next chapter of Initiative, we'd love to hear from you. This is a role for someone who wants to do meaningful people work at scale - with the mandate, support and ambition to make a genuine impact.

Apply now.

Initiative is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences.