Assistant Director, Recognition and Engagement

About this role

People Branch plays a central enabling role in supporting the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) by delivering strategic and operational human resources services that help build a capable, agile and high-performing workforce. Within the branch, the Workforce Planning, Development and Analytics section is responsible for workforce planning, workforce analytics, learning and development, and employee recognition and engagement. Through workforce data and reporting, the section provides insights that inform workforce strategy and organisational decision-making, while its learning and development programs support employee capability and professional growth. The section also leads initiatives that strengthen employee engagement, recognition and workplace culture, ensuring the AEC is well positioned to attract, develop and retain the workforce needed to deliver its critical electoral responsibilities. The Assistant Director, Recognition and Engagement plays a key role in driving workforce engagement and recognition initiatives that enhance the employee experience and support organisational priorities. The position leads the delivery of the APS Employee Census and other workforce feedback activities, including targeted surveys and employee lifecycle feedback mechanisms, ensuring data is effectively analysed and translated into meaningful insights. The role is responsible for developing and implementing action plans arising from employee feedback, monitoring progress against strategic priorities, and providing evidence-based recommendations that support continuous improvement. Working closely with business areas and senior stakeholders, the Assistant Director influences positive workforce outcomes by communicating insights and driving practical actions that strengthen engagement, inclusion and organisational performance. The role also leads the delivery of employee recognition programs, including the AEC’s NAIDOC program, Australia Day and internal awards, fostering a culture that values contribution, celebrates achievement, and promotes a high-performing and engaged workforce. To excel you’ll have: • Demonstrated experience coordinating and/or leading employee engagement, recognition, or workforce insight initiatives, preferably in a complex or public sector environment. • Strong analytical capability, including experience interpreting workforce data, survey results, and translating insights into practical strategies and action plans. • Proven ability to develop and track action plans aligned to organisational priorities and monitor progress against key outcomes. • Highly developed stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with the ability to collaborate across diverse business areas and seniority levels. • Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives and deliver outcomes within timeframes. • Excellent communication skills, including the ability to present complex data and insights in a clear and meaningful way. • Strong attention to detail and ability to manage sensitive information with confidentiality and integrity. Desirable • Relevant tertiary qualifications in Human Resources, Organisational Development, Psychology, Data Analytics, or a related field are desirable.