Founded in 1962, The Australian Ballet is one of the world’s leading ballet companies and a national flagship performing arts organisation. A not-for-profit public company, it presents around 200–250 performances each year across Australia and internationally, supported by its subsidiary Orchestra Victoria and a team of 300 people. Currently undertaking a major period of transformation, The Australian Ballet is modernising its systems and culture to ensure long-term sustainability while remaining true to its purpose — to create great ballet, with Australian character, for all Australians, to the highest artistic standards and with international recognition.
About the Role
Reporting to the Executive Director and leading a small team, the Director of Human Resources is a strategic business partner and member of the Executive Leadership Team. The role provides high-level advice to the Executive and Board, and leads the development of modern, effective HR practices aligned with The Australian Ballet’s strategic direction.
In this pivotal leadership role, you’ll oversee all aspects of HR, including:
- Industrial relations and enterprise bargaining
- Workforce planning and compliance
- Talent acquisition and development
- Organisational culture and change
- Leadership development and capability uplift
- Employee engagement, wellbeing, and diversity
About Success
Success in this role will be measured by your ability to shape and lead the organisation’s new cultural model, building engagement, accountability, and trust across the company. You will drive enterprise agreement negotiations with confidence and fairness, implement modern HR systems and processes, and embed data-driven decision-making and compliance. Transforming the HR team from a reactive, counselling-focused function into a proactive, strategic business partner, you will uplift leadership capability, support managers through change, and act as a trusted advisor to the Executive team. By 2027, your leadership will have positioned The Australian Ballet as a more efficient, engaged, and culturally healthy organisation, ready to thrive in its next era.
About You
You are an accomplished HR leader with significant experience driving transformation and cultural change in complex, multi-stakeholder environments. You are strategic yet hands-on, equally comfortable at the executive table and on the studio floor.
You bring:
- Deep expertise across HR strategy, industrial relations, organisational design, and leadership development.
- Experience leading through transformation with integrity, empathy, and excellence.
- Maturity, humility, and humour — with the resilience and optimism to inspire others through change.
- A collaborative, consultative style and the ability to engage diverse teams and perspectives.
- Genuine curiosity and a passion for people, culture, and the performing arts.
- Experience in the arts, creative, high-performance, for-purpose or similarly dynamic sector will be highly regarded.
About Culture & Benefits
At The Australian Ballet, you’ll join an organisation defined by artistry, excellence, and shared purpose. You’ll be part of a team that values creativity, inclusivity, and respect — and that takes pride in supporting the wellbeing and growth of everyone involved, from dancers and musicians to technicians and administrators.
You’ll enjoy:
- The opportunity to shape the culture of one of Australia’s most iconic arts organisations.
- A collaborative, forward-looking Executive Leadership Team.
- Flexible working arrangements and wellbeing initiatives.
- Tickets to performances.
- The chance to see your impact on a national and international stage.
About Applying
Click "Apply for this job" below to apply for this role.
For specific questions about this role, please contact Lisa Hammond at lhammond@thenextstep.com.au or Michelle Nugara at mnugara@thenextstep.com.au