Chief People & Culture Officer

• Critical member of our Executive Leadership Team
• Strategic role managing group strategy from a financial & governance perspective
• Full voting member of the Pacific National Executive Committee

About us

As Australia’s largest private rail freight company, we are integral in keeping Australia’s economy moving. With a rich history dating back to 1855 we are incredibly proud of our heritage and the essential role we continue to play in supporting Australia’s supply chain. We haul a variety of freight including coal, intermodal containers, steel, and a range of bulk commodities and materials.

About the role

As a critical member of our Executive Leadership Team (ELT), the Chief People & Culture Officer (CPCO) will play a pivotal role in leading the People and Culture Strategy and Pacific National and guiding the organisation through exciting transformation. This executive will be responsible for driving strategic workforce initiatives, ensuring operational efficiency, and embedding a high-performance culture within a challenging economic landscape.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the CPCO will lead the People & Culture function, overseeing multiple critical, including:

• HR Business Partnering
• Industrial and Workplace Relations
• Payroll
• Organisational Development
• Inclusion & Diversity
• People Services
• Technical Training & Registered Training Organisation (RTO)

This role plays a key part in shaping long-term business strategy, operational efficiency, and workforce transformation. The CPCO will also regularly engage with the Board and Remuneration & Nominations Committee (RNC), requiring a deep understanding of governance and board management.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Executive Partnering: Provide high-level people and culture insights to the CEO, ELT, and Board, driving a People and Culture agenda aligned with Pacific National’s long-term business goals.
• People & Culture Strategy: Develop and execute a strategic roadmap, focusing on ensuring a future ready workforce and alignment with business long term goals.
• Organisational Change & Culture: Lead a shift towards a more agile, innovative, and high-performance culture, embedding a values-driven and inclusive workplace environment.
• Leadership Development & Talent Strategy: Strengthen leadership pipelines, implement succession planning, and enhance workforce mobility to retain top talent.
• Industrial & Workplace Relations: Oversee industrial relations strategy, enterprise agreements, and union engagement, ensuring a stable and sustainable labour framework.
• Workforce Planning & Capability Development: Drive strategic workforce planning, ensuring the right mix of skills and leadership to support long-term operational success.
• HR Technology & Data-Driven Decision Making: Implement and optimise workforce analytics and technology solutions to enhance efficiency and employee experience.
• Board & Stakeholder Management: Navigate complex stakeholder relationships, balancing diverse perspectives while ensuring execution of key strategic initiatives.

About You

We are seeking an experienced and transformational leader with a track record of success in building high performing teams and driving cultural & organisational change. The ideal candidate will have:

• 15+ years of experience in senior People & Culture leadership roles, ideally within heavy industry, logistics, mining, manufacturing, or utilities.
• A strong commercial mindset, with the ability to balance workforce investments with business outcomes and financial performance.
• Extensive experience in leading business remuneration frameworks, ensuring competitive, fair, and performance-driven compensation structures that align with corporate strategy.
• Proven ability to lead large-scale business transformations, including cultural change.
• Deep expertise in industrial relations, enterprise bargaining, and workforce governance within a highly unionised environment.
• Strong background in technical training and RTO management, ensuring compliance and alignment with workforce capability needs.
• Experience in executive coaching and leadership development, driving talent retention and succession planning.
• A strategic, data-driven mindset with experience in HR technology adoption and digital transformation.
• A track record of navigating complex board and stakeholder environments, providing strategic workforce insights at an executive level.
• Resilience and agility to thrive in a fast-paced, high-change environment with competing priorities and financial constraints.

Why Join Us?

This is a career-defining opportunity to continue shape the future of Pacific National’s people & culture strategy. You’ll be joining a dynamic and forward-thinking executive team, where you’ll have the autonomy to drive impactful change and create long-term value.

We prioritise diversity and inclusion, fostering a culture where every team member is valued and can bring their authentic selves to work. When you join us, you'll have the opportunity to:

• Pursue growth and career development
• Access mentoring programs
• Enjoy paid parental leave up to 14 weeks (with superannuation) after just 6 months of service
• Access our Employee Assistance Program for confidential counselling, free for you and your eligible family members
• Benefit from novated leasing and discounts on select health insurance, travel, retail brands, and more.

Apply Today!

Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and why you’re the perfect fit for this exciting opportunity.

Visit our careers page to learn more, including information on all our benefits! www.pacificnational.com.au/careers.

Proud WORK180 Endorsed Employer for women, visit our Pacific National | WORK180 Endorsed Employer to find out more!

Do you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process?

If you need an adjustment in the recruitment process, please outline at the time of your application.

Closing date

Applications close on Thursday the 3rd of April 2025

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of​ the land on which we work, live and rail.​ We pay respect to Elders past, present and future and to the​ continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices​ of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.