Chief People Officer

About Auriga Group

Auriga Group is a premier Australian provider specializing in maritime pilotage, aviation, and marine services essential to the nation's shipping, logistics, and resource sectors. Operating for over 140 years, employing more than 350 staff across 20 locations nationwide, Auriga supports major ports, mining, resource projects, LNG export terminals, and remote logistics with a commitment to safety, operational excellence, and innovation.

Role Overview

As Chief People Officer reporting to the CEO and a member of the Executive Leadership Team, you will oversee the group's comprehensive People & Culture function. This leadership role involves steering organisational performance, culture, and workforce capabilities. You’ll work collaboratively with executive leaders and the Board on strategies relating to workforce planning, industrial relations, leadership development, and organisational effectiveness.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and drive Auriga’s People & Culture strategy to align with long-term business goals and operational needs across its geographically diverse workforce.
• Advise the CEO, Executive Leadership Team, and Board on workforce planning, leadership growth, organisational design, succession, culture, remuneration, and address emerging people-related risks.
• Manage all facets of employee and industrial relations, including enterprise bargaining, consultations, workplace investigations, complex employment issues, and engagement with unions, regulators, and external stakeholders.
• Develop and strengthen workforce planning, talent acquisition, and succession programs to secure and nurture specialized capabilities crucial for maritime, aviation, and marine operations.
• Promote a high-performance culture by implementing effective performance management, employee engagement, leadership development, and talent management frameworks that enhance both business results and employee advancement.

Candidate Profile

• Possesses a tertiary qualification in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Business, Law, or a related field.
• Experienced senior executive with a significant history leading complex People & Culture operations within fields such as operational, infrastructure, resources, transport, logistics, aviation, maritime, or other regulated sectors.
• Proven track record of collaborating with CEOs, executive teams, and boards to craft and implement people strategies aligned with organisational growth, performance, and sustainable outcomes.
• Expertise in employee relations, industrial relations, enterprise bargaining, organisational design, and strategic workforce planning, balancing commercial goals with effective people leadership.
• Strategic and pragmatic thinker capable of hands-on leadership during complex workforce challenges and change initiatives, demonstrating resilience, credibility, and sound judgement.

Why This Opportunity?

This role offers a unique chance to influence Auriga Group’s growth and strategic maturation. Reporting directly to the CEO and engaging with the executive leadership and Board, you will shape the company’s people agenda, governance, workforce capability frameworks, and cultural development. With comprehensive responsibility spanning organisational design, industrial relations, talent management, leadership cultivation, and workforce planning, this position provides meaningful executive impact within a vital Australian enterprise supporting critical infrastructure sectors.