Switchboard Victoria: Director of People, Culture & Workplace
Michael Barnett OAM
Director of People, Culture & Workplace
Job description
Switchboard Victoria is based on the lands of the Yaluk-ut Weelam clan of the Boon Wurrung peoples.
We acknowledge that our work takes place on lands that are under colonial occupation and that sovereignty has never been ceded. We hope to pay our deepest respects to Boon Wurrung elders, past and present, and wish to extend this respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People across this Country we know as Australia.
About Switchboard (Victoria) Inc.
Switchboard Victoria is a community-based, not for profit organisation that provides peer-based, volunteer driven support services for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and gender diverse, Intersex, Queer, Asexual and more (LGBTIQA+) people and their friends, families and allies.
Our current activities include:
- Phone and web counselling and referral – Switchboard is the Victorian partner in the national QLife service. QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTIQA+ peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings, or relationships. This service is for LGBTIQA+ people and those with questions about LGBTIQA+ issues including families, friends, teachers and co-workers of LGBTIQA+ people.
- Community connections for older LGBTI+ people – Switchboard’s Pride in Ageing program aims to tackle ageism and strengthen social inclusion and community connection for older lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans/gender diverse and intersex (LGBTI+)* Victorians. The Out & About peer visiting program creates friendship and connection between LGBTI+ seniors living anywhere in Victoria and through regular volunteer visits.
- Rainbow Door - a free specialist LGBTIQA+ helpline providing information, support, and referral to all LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their friends and family. Rainbow Door supports people of all ages and identities with issues that may include suicidal thoughts, family, intimate partner and gender-based violence (including elder abuse), alcohol and other drugs, relationship issues, sexual assault, social isolation, mental health, and wellbeing.
- Suicide prevention - Switchboard’s Suicide Prevention program puts responding to the challenges of suicide at the core of Switchboard’s work. We work nationally to provide suicide prevention, intervention and postvention programs, with an emphasis on building community resilience through peer-led and lived experience activities. Switchboard is also active in research and the development of suicide prevention resources and programs for LGBTIQA+ communities.
- QTIBPoC Programs - In consultation with key QTIBPoC stakeholders, Switchboard’s Queer, Trans, Intersex and Bla(c)k and/or People of Colour (QTIBPoC) program aims to build greater equity for LGBTIQA+ people who are Bla(c)k, People of Colour and/or people of faith through storytelling and workshops driven by lived experience. It provides a space to co-create, co-exist, and envision cultural shifts for and by Bla(c)k and/or People of Colour and people of faith. In addition, the QTIBPoC program builds Switchboard's internal capacity to meet QTIBPoC community needs across all of Switchboard’s services and areas of work.
- Training Program – Switchboard delivers a range of training to the community and service sector organisations. Trainings offerings include LGBTIQA+ Inclusive Practice, How to Recognise and Respond to F/IPV, How to Talk About Suicide Safely, Everyday Racism in the Workplace and Peer Support Training. Staff are accredited to deliver LivingWorks programs ASIST and safeTALK.
- Rainbow Families - Connecting and supporting LGBTIQA+ parents, carers, and their families. Supporting services to develop and deliver rainbow family-inclusive better practice across Victoria.
Position details
Employment type:
- Part-time, up to full-time
- 0.8 - 1.0 Full-time equivalent (FTE)
- 60.8 - 76 hours / fortnight
- Some weeknight and weekend work will be required, to accommodate stakeholder events and meetings with the Board. This work is included within the total remuneration rate below.
Classification & remuneration:
- $145,000 annual salary (pro-rated for FTE)
- The position is indexed annually against the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award 2010, with remuneration above the minimum award rate.
- Plus, Superannuation 12%
- Tax benefit available from salary sacrifice, package of up to $15,899.
Location:
- Victorian Pride Centre, 79-81 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda VIC 3182
- Other offices of Switchboard Victoria in Melbourne’s inner north
- Switchboard has a hybrid work policy, some remote work is permitted.
Applicants must:
- reside in Melbourne;
- reside in greater Victoria and be willing to commute to Melbourne on work days, or
- be willing to relocate to Melbourne on successful appointment.
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Direct reports: Up to three staff
Position overview
The Director of People, Culture and Workplace is a key member of Switchboard's Staff Executive, working closely with the CEO, Director of Services, Director of Finance and Operations and the Board to foster a vibrant and purpose-driven workplace culture. This role is crucial in leading, developing, and implementing human resources, workforce strategies and change to support the wellbeing, engagement, and growth of Switchboard’s employees and volunteers.
The Director of People, Culture and Workplace is responsible for overseeing all human resource structures and systems, including recruitment, retention, professional development, performance management and staff wellbeing. They are responsible for ensuring that our human resource structures are aligned with Switchboard’s values and driven by trauma-informed, anti-racist, and peer-informed practices. They play a key role in ensuring management staff are skilled in management practice and in promoting a culture of continuous management development.
The Director of People, Culture and Workplace will oversee the human resourcing for approximately 60 staff and over 100 volunteers. The role includes a strong focus on people leadership, including providing visionary leadership, inspiring excellence, and supporting Program Managers, staff, and volunteers to deliver high quality support to the LGBTIQA+ community. The role develops and champions comprehensive people strategies that foster a positive, inclusive workplace culture, enhancing employee engagement, professional development, and career progression.
This is a part-time to full-time position, requiring 60.8 - 76 hours per fortnight. Flexibility is required to address urgent matters outside of regular hours and on weekends when necessary.
About the successful candidate
Using your extensive experience in HR, you will be instrumental in leading Switchboard’s next phase in developing highly effective people management systems and skill development.
To be successful in this role, you must have significant HR experience, with the proven ability to manage medium-sized systems, provide direct support to management staff, and develop leadership skills such as performance management and wellbeing checks, among management staff.
You will have demonstrated expertise in change management, ideally in the not-for-profit community sector. You should have demonstrated managerial experience in working with staff across all levels of an organisation.
You must have substantial practical experience in delivering and improving HR functions, particularly within the not-for-profit sector, ensuring they are compliant, effective, evidence-based, risk-managed and responsive to issues arising for staff. Experience in managing community services HR is highly desirable.
Key responsibilities
People and Culture Leadership
- Champion the co-development and implementation of comprehensive people strategies that foster a positive, inclusive, and supportive workplace culture, maximising employee engagement and facilitating professional development and career progression.
- Provide expert leadership, advice, and coaching to the management staff on all people-related matters, including performance, conflict, and organisational change.
- Grow the capacity and capability of the programs by supporting recruitment, development, and mentoring of senior staff.
- Develop and lead the implementation of Switchboard’s People and Culture Strategy, aligned with the organisation’s Strategic Plan and Anti-Racism Organisation Change Plan.
- Promote a culture of equity, accountability, psychological safety, continuous improvement, and peer-informed practice.
- Oversee workforce planning and succession planning across programs and services, in close collaboration with the Director of Services and Director of Finance and Operations.
HR Operations, Compliance and Wellbeing
- Oversee all HR and volunteer-related policies, systems, and practices to ensure compliance with legislation and alignment with Switchboard values.
- Develop and implement systems to ensure consistent, transparent, and trauma-informed performance management and disciplinary processes.
- Ensure accurate HR reporting, metrics tracking, and continuous improvement in people systems.
- Design and implement initiatives that foster an inclusive and culturally safe workplace, with a strong focus on anti-racism, peer work principles, and the lived experiences of LGBTIQA+ communities.
- Support the successful onboarding, engagement, and retention of diverse employees and volunteers.
Change Management and Organisational Development
- Partner with the Staff Executive and Program Teams to deliver effective change management processes in response to growth, restructures, and strategic shifts.
- Support continuous improvement through consultation, data collection, feedback mechanisms, and engagement surveys.
- Actively support the implementation and ongoing monitoring of the Anti-Racism Organisational Change Plan.
Key Selection criteria
Essential:
- Tertiary qualifications in human resource management, organisational psychology, another relevant field; or, demonstrated experience in a relevant senior position.
- Deep understanding of the issues faced by LGBTIQA+ communities, with demonstrated experience building culturally safe workplaces for diverse workforces.
- Extensive senior leadership experience in people and culture, human resources, or organisational development, ideally within a values-based, community, or peer-led organisation.
- Demonstrated success in leading organisational culture change, wellbeing programs, or anti-racism initiatives.
- Strong understanding of Australian workplace legislation, HR compliance requirements, and risk management in employment contexts.
- Highly developed interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills, including experience coaching senior staff through complex HR matters.
Desirable:
- Proven experience designing and implementing trauma-informed and anti-oppressive HR practices, policies, and frameworks.
- Experience supporting services in the areas of suicide prevention, family violence, or mental health.
To find out more and apply
Please carefully review the selection criteria for this position, which you should systematically address in your application (this does not have to be in a separate document), which should also include your resume listing all relevant employment and volunteer experience and qualifications, and a cover letter. Submit your application via the "Apply Now" button.
Please note that applications that do not address the key selection criteria will not be considered.
For more information please contact Jenna Tuke, Chief Executive Officer.
Email: C...@switchboard.org.au using the subject line: Director of People Culture & Workplace enquiry via EthicalJobs.
Applications close: 10am on the closing date.
Switchboard Victoria is committed to supporting diversity and inclusion in our workforce and will consider all qualified applicants, regardless of sex, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability or national origin. Switchboard especially welcomes and encourages applications from people who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander; trans, gender diverse or intersex; disabled; carers; live with HIV, are culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), People of Colour and/or People of Faith; identify with having lived experiences of suicide and mental ill-health.
Find out more about working at Switchboard at http://www.switchboard.org.au/
Applications for this role will take you to the employer’s site.
Job Summary
- $145,000 annual salary (pro-rated for FTE), plus superannuation 12% and tax benefit available from salary sacrifice up to $15,899
- Applications close: 10:00 AM AEST, 1st Jun 2026
- Job posted on: 6th May 2026
- Melbourne > St Kilda