13th February, 2026
About our Client:
The Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide positively impacts the lives of its members through the development and delivery of human services related programs and offerings. With head office in the Adelaide CBD and multiple sites throughout South Australia, a rewarding senior opportunity for an Executive Director - Human Resources is now available.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide in South Australia employs over 10,500 people working across the industries of education, health, social services and parishes, with many volunteers who assist and support our parishes. It is committed to providing a safe work environment for these people and also anyone who engages in contract work or visits our worksites.
The Catholic Church Endowment Society (CCES), established in 1874, is the central civil entity that supports the operations and pastoral mission of the Archdiocese of Adelaide, playing a crucial role in the management and support of various facets of the Church's operations. The pastoral mission of the church is central to the CCES's work and involves spreading the message of faith, hope and love, offering spiritual guidance, and engaging in acts of mercy and charity. It encompasses the duty of the Church to care for the spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being of its members and the broader community.
CCES plays a vital role in enabling the Church's mission by providing governance, administration and specialist services that support worship and sacraments, pastoral care, education, social services and community engagement.
To learn more, please visit www.adelaide.catholic.org.au
About the Opportunity: The Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide is seeking an experienced and highly trusted people leader to join its senior executive team as Executive Director - Human Resources. This newly created role is a pivotal leadership role that balances strategic influence with hands-on operational delivery. Reporting to the Archbishop and working closely with Directors and senior leaders, you will provide clear, balanced and trusted human resources leadership across a diverse organisation.
The role requires a confident and senior HR generalist, someone comfortable operating at the strategic level while remaining grounded, accessible and service-oriented. You will be called upon to navigate sensitive and complex matters, provide sound legislative advice, and build trusted relationships across all levels of the Diocese. This is a role for a leader with courage, patience and clarity, someone who is able to explain complexity simply, act with integrity and neutrality, and support decision-making that aligns with both organisational values and legal obligations.
Key Responsibilities: As Executive Director - Human Resources, you will provide excellent and thoughtful leadership across the full HR lifecycle. In this role, you will:
- Lead and develop the Human Resources function, remaining actively involved in key operational activities while building capability, structure and excellent service delivery.
- Act as a trusted and accessible adviser to the Archbishop, Vicar General, Executive Directors, Directors and other senior leaders and staff, providing clear, balanced and well-reasoned advice on complex people, industrial and legislative matters.
- Take a hands-on and strategic leadership role across a wide range of HR matters, guiding fair, timely and confident resolution.
- Oversee and ensure best practice leadership and services are provided in various areas including recruitment, onboarding and induction processes, ensuring new employees are set up for success, aligned to values and well supported from day one.
- Partner closely with leaders to support performance management, grievance resolution and sensitive people matters, offering practical, impartial and solutions-focused guidance.
- Ensure compliance with employment legislation and regulatory requirements, translating legal obligations into clear, workable and trusted advice.
- Lead the development and implementation of contemporary HR policies, frameworks and practices that reflect both best practice and organisational values.
- Build leadership capability by coaching managers in communication, feedback, performance conversations and people leadership responsibilities.
- Drive workforce planning, succession planning and professional development initiatives that support long-term sustainability and employee growth, in line with organisational needs.
- Promote a positive organisational culture and employee experience, using engagement insights and feedback to inform and drive continuous improvement.
- Work collaboratively across the Diocese, including with parishes and specialist functions, providing hands-on and trusted HR support & guidance, when needed.
- Model integrity, discretion and professionalism, fostering trust, confidence and respect at all levels.
To be successful in this role you will be: A seasoned and credible HR leader who combines technical expertise with strong judgement, coupled with the emotional intelligence, values alignment and the confidence to operate at all levels of the Diocese.
Specifically, you will offer:
- Relevant tertiary qualifications and significant senior human resources experience, within a similar role and environment.
- Broad, hands-on experience across the full HR function of the employment lifecycle including attraction to employee exit.
- Proven capability to lead, develop and strengthen a small HR team, fostering professionalism, trust and service-oriented delivery.
- The presence, confidence and credibility to act as a trusted adviser to leaders, managers and staff in general, including the ability to support complex decision-making with balanced, well-reasoned advice.
- Strong working knowledge of contemporary employment legislation, awards and industrial practices, with the ability to clearly explain obligations and options to leaders.
- Excellent communication, influencing and negotiation skills, paired with a patient and clear approach.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to research issues, manage competing priorities and deliver practical outcomes.
- Experience implementing or working with HR information systems and using data and reporting to inform decisions and advise on best practice.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Child Safe Organisation. All employees and volunteers of the Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide are required to undergo and retain a valid Working with Children Check, as outlined in the Child Safety (Prohibited Persons) Act 2016, and are required to fulfil their legal and ethical obligations as Mandated Notifiers under the Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017.
Why join Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide? - Meaningful work that protects people, strengthens culture and supports community.
- A senior leadership role with genuine autonomy, trust and influence.
- The opportunity to lead, mentor and grow a small high performing team.
- A stable organisation with a strong record of staff longevity and commitment.
- A values-led environment grounded in dignity, care, responsibility and respect.
- Flexible working arrangements appropriate to a senior leadership role.
- Excellent salary including an allocated car park.
- The chance to build and shape HR for the future, whilst having a positive and genuine impact.
If you are a senior HR leader motivated by purpose, people leadership and the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution, we would love to hear from you.
Sound like you? If you'd like to learn more or receive a copy of the Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide candidate pack, please don't hesitate to reach out to Selina on 0435 843 155 . To apply, please submit a cover letter outlining your relevant experience as detailed in the advertisement, along with your resume. Please submit as one document.
We maintain the discretion to extend an offer at any stage of the recruitment process. If you are interested in the position submit your application as soon as possible!
To streamline the process, we kindly request that recruiters and candidates refrain from directly contacting the client. The client has enlisted the services of BespokeHR exclusively for this role. If you or any potential candidates are interested in applying, kindly utilise the provided 'apply' button.
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