Principal Adviser, Workforce Strategies

About us 

The Essential Services Commission is Victoria’s independent economic regulator of essential services supplied by a range of industries. The commission’s functions include:

• making regulatory decisions with respect to prescribed industries (including price determinations, licensing, customer protection and access disputes).
• undertaking reviews and providing advice to Ministers on a range of economic and regulatory matters.
• administering the Victorian Energy Upgrades program.

About the role

The Principal Adviser, Workforce Strategy is a fixed term senior role within the People and Culture team, established to lead and strengthen delivery of priority workforce, safety, wellbeing and organisational development initiatives.

Reporting to the Chief People and Culture Officer, the role will provide dedicated senior capacity across a complex program of people related work, including workforce strategy implementation, psychosocial safety, wellbeing, inclusion, organisational development, People Matter actions and workforce related governance obligations.

The role will lead selected priority projects directly, while also providing delivery assurance, planning support and quality advice across the broader People and Culture work program. It will work closely with People and Culture leads, senior leaders and governance forums to ensure key initiatives are properly scoped, prioritised, monitored and delivered.

You will drive progress on agreed priority initiatives, strengthen executive and Board level advice and reporting, identify delivery risks early, and help build practical project discipline across the People and Culture function.

This role is suited to a confident and experienced adviser who can bring structure to complex work, influence without direct authority, produce high quality written advice, and deliver outcomes in a sensitive people and culture environment.

This is a fixed‑term position until 30 June 2027. The work location for this position is 570 Bourke Street, Melbourne, with hybrid work arrangements available.

Key accountabilities

• Drive priority People and Culture projects, including workforce strategy, psychosocial safety, wellbeing, inclusion, organisational development and People Matter related initiatives.
• Maintain an integrated view of People and Culture priorities, milestones, risks, dependencies and reporting requirements.
•  Provide senior delivery assurance across priority initiatives, identifying risks, delays and quality issues early and advising on practical solutions. Prepare, review and strengthen papers, briefings and reports for executive, Board and governance forums.
• Build strong relationships across the organisation to support collaboration, consultation and effective delivery of people related priorities.

Please refer to the attached position description for the principal functions and key selection criteria.

How to apply

Click the ‘apply now’ button to be redirected to our recruitment platform, where you may need to create an account to submit your application.

All applications should include:

• a resume; and
• a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria, highlighting your skills and relevant experience in relation to the role.

For further information about the role, please contact Tracey Bloxsome, Chief People and Culture Officer at tracey.bloxsome@esc.vic.gov.au

Our commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive and flexible workplace 

Be part of a highly respected and professional organisation that allows you to apply your knowledge while supporting flexible working arrangements that allow you to balance work and life. You’ll be working in a dynamic and collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth. 

We are Equal Employment Opportunity employer with inclusive leaders committed to driving a workplace culture that prioritises equity, safety, respect, and flexibility for all staff. We uphold the principles of Aboriginal self-determination in caring for our community.

We welcome applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds, including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, people of any age, gender identity, parental/carer status, ability, religion, or cultural backgrounds.

If you require any adjustments to equitably participate in the recruitment process, or need an alternative format to any of the application material, please contact people.culture@esc.vic.gov.au for support.

Other relevant information

Applicants must have corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period to be appointed to this role. Ongoing positions are only available to Australian/New Zealand citizens or Australian Permanent Residents. 

Preferred applicants are required to undergo mandatory pre-employment screening, which includes a national criminal history check, right to work verification, qualification checks, statutory declaration disclosing any previous misconduct investigations and declaration of private interests.