Koala is a global furniture brand bringing Australian design and innovation to the world. We create forward-thinking products that solve problems for people and homes everywhere, driven by our purpose to make the world a more comfortable place.
We’ve always believed in doing things differently, whether in the way we develop products, how we do people and culture, or the way we bring the brand to life. That mindset has fuelled our growth, helping us disrupt categories in ways that are creative, bold and often unexpected. While we’re a household name in Australia, our journey on the global stage is only just beginning.
Since launching in 2015, our furniture has reached homes across Australia, Japan, the US and the UK. As a B Corp-certified, customer-obsessed, and data-led company, we’re committed to revolutionising furniture for generations to come through design, innovation, and meaningful sustainability.
Role Description
Most companies run performance, levels and structure as three separate annual projects. Koala will run them as one system. As Global Lead, Organisation Design and Capability, you will design how Koala defines great work, levels roles, grows people and shapes its organisation, using real evidence and AI so decisions are faster and fairer than anywhere else we compete for talent.
This is a senior specialist role. You are the global owner of organisation design and capability, and the expert the business turns to on how Koala is shaped and how it works. You do the analysis and groundwork to build the frameworks, then draw on the knowledge of business partners, market leads and leaders to make them work in each market and team. You are also responsible for how Koala works as a global matrix: how direct line and dotted line relationships operate, who owns what, and who makes which decision.
You work as a senior partner to the Global Head of People, the ELT and the Global Leadership Team, and you work closely with the Strategy team, who manage Koala's goals. This role does not set business goals. It makes sure performance, levels and structure line up with them.
Key Responsibilities
Organisation design
Own the global organisation model: leadership shape, spans, layers and decision rights.
Test structure options with data and scenario modelling before they are decided.
Provide structural input to workforce planning with Talent Acquisition, Finance and business leaders.
Matrix ways of working
Define how the global matrix works across Australia, Japan, the US and the UK, including what direct line and dotted line roles are each accountable for.
Set the ownership model for people and organisation decisions: who decides, who is consulted, who is informed, and how disagreements between functions and markets are escalated.
Agree with each market lead what is set globally and what adapts by market, and keep it current.
Design the forums and channels that connect the matrix, with clear purpose, membership, cadence and decision rights.
Document it in plain language and coach leaders and the P&C team to use it.
Progression and capability
Design transparent paths to grow and be promoted, including a strong specialist path so great people can progress without managing others.
Build capability frameworks and development pathways that link levels and competencies to learning, and make promotion readiness visible in calibration.
Performance framework and calibration
Help design the global performance framework, rating definitions and evidence standards, aligned to levels and competencies, built with the people who run the cycles in each market.
Design the calibration and talent framework with the business partners who lead sessions in their markets, using shared evidence, consistent definitions and bias checks. Support the sessions and drive outcomes, including succession and critical role coverage.
Job architecture and levels
Build and maintain one global job architecture, with families and levels defined by scope, impact and skills, not tenure or title, so every role is levelled consistently.
Define competencies at each level in plain language with observable examples, for specialists and people leaders, aligned to Koala values.
AI enabled people system
Use data and AI tools to make the system lighter, including manager evidence summaries, organisation modelling and level matching, so leaders spend time on conversations, not admin.
AI informs and people decide. Ratings, pay and promotion stay with accountable leaders, with privacy and legal checks in each market.
Organisation health and reporting
Define the people metrics the ELT and Board use, including spans, layers, level mix, and promotion and progression rates by market.
Prepare the monthly and quarterly reporting.
Reward and company goals
Link levels, progression and recognition to Koala's Global remuneration philosophy, and supply level and structure inputs to benchmarking and the compensation review.
Work with the Strategy team so company goals show up in objectives, performance measures and structures, without owning them.
Ideal background
Deep expertise in organisation design and capability in specialist or lead roles in a scaling global business, and recognised by peers as an expert in the field.
Has designed how a global matrix organisation works, including direct line and dotted line accountabilities, decision rights and forums, and made it stick.
Has built a job level framework with competencies at each level and clear progression, and can show it working.
Has designed or supported performance and calibration approaches that senior leaders trust.
Has analysed spans, layers and structure with data, and changed an organisation because of it.
Curious and hands on with data and AI, and comfortable inventing a better way when the usual way is slow.
Influences senior leaders and drives adoption without a team of direct reports.
Ideally experience across multiple countries
Strong commercial judgement and credibility with senior leaders across the business.
Perks and Privileges
Koala is only great when its employees are happy; and we’re one happy bunch!
Hybrid working - We’re mixing it up with ~3 days back in the Alexandria Treehouse (office) and work from bed/home (WFB)
Take a break - Generous time off - volunteer, parental, Koala life leave and more to help keep your work-life balance, balanced.
Treehouse goods - Fully stocked kitchen with an emphasis on healthy local produce, think bougie brekky, salad bar, kombucha on tap, monthly barbies and more.
Pet-friendly - The Koala Treehouse is as pet-friendly as they get!
Surprise& delight - The two-word combo at the core of everything we do. All Koalas can expect to enjoy free Koala products with ‘mates rates’ for your friends and fam.
Support& wellbeing - Our employee experience respects and embraces all families, formed, found and evolving. You’ll have access to our Employee Assistance Program, which includes unlimited sessions for financial, work, relationship, family or wellbeing support.
Accelerate your career - via our Learning Management platform, as well as individual and team growth budgets and dedicated days.
Community& connection - We believe that simply doing ‘no harm’ isn’t good enough So, how are we doing our part?BCorpCertified,WWFPartnership, volunteer days, a member ofSoftLanding,1%and so much more.
All in all, theKoala Communityis a great place to hang out and belong to!
Why Join Koala?
At Koala, we do things a little differently and we don’t shy away from the fact that we expect a lot from our employees! We have no ego; we seek feedback that grows us; and we have a strong bias for action. We want you to challenge expectations, always look to make a difference and give us something different from the norm. We want people that bring great energy, that have a long-game focus and are always trying to find new angles and approaches to the way we work. We're a team full of entrepreneurial spirit and have a relentless focus on 'what's next' but while always reviewing 'what's been done' and learning, growing and adapting. Honesty and empathy drive everything we do, as well as a total focus on exceeding our customers’ expectations. So if you feel like this could be you... well what the bloody hell are you waiting for? Drop us a line, and let's see what you've got! ;)
There’s no such thing as a ‘perfect’ candidate, Koala is a place where everyone has opportunity. So however you identify and whatever background you bring with you, please apply if this is a role that would make you excited to come into work every day. We’re an equal opportunity employer, and recognise that a diverse workforce is crucial to our success as a business.
To read more, check out ourcareers,LinkedIn, or the great work we do withWork180.