Success Profile
Chief People Officer
James Cook University
About James Cook University
James Cook University (JCU) is a leading university in North Queensland, Australia, established as a university in 1970 and named after the British explorer James Cook. It is known for its strong focus on tropical environments and issues affecting northern Australia and the world’s tropics, underpinned by research and teaching across diverse fields such as environmental science, marine biology, medicine, and health sciences. JCU’s main campuses are in Townsville and Cairns, with additional sites including a campus in Singapore and regional study centres across Queensland, offering a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The university attracts students from around the world, conducts internationally recognised research, and leverages its unique tropical location near the Great Barrier Reef and wet tropical rainforests to support practical, place-based learning and innovation.
Further Reading:
Contribution to the JCU Community
"At JCU we firmly believe that people are our most valuable asset, so we work to grow and diversify the skills, knowledge and capability of all our staff. We are alert to the importance of our values in shaping all aspects of our work. Our Strategic Intent remains consistent with our founding act and the enshrined purpose to deliver a sustainable future for the people of the Tropics."
Creating a brighter future for life in the Tropics and beyond, through education and research that makes a difference locally, and globally.
Welcome from the Chief Operating Officer, Hilary Kavanagh
About the Services Division
The Services Division is the engine room of the University.
We create the conditions in which students and staff thrive, delivering bold ideas, operational excellence, and future-ready capabilities that enable the University to teach, discover, and change lives.
Our Directorates design and deliver services that are seamless, scalable, and grounded in innovation. We are focused on service effectiveness, customer experience and efficiency, ensuring every part of the University ecosystem can perform at its best.
We enable progress through:
- Administration Services & Executive Support: delivering professional, responsive support that keeps the institution operating smoothly.
- Capital Projects & Works: designing, constructing and transforming world-class teaching, research and community environments.
- Commercial Activities & Retail: creating vibrant campus experiences that enrich daily life for students, staff and visitors.
- Estate Services & Operations: custodians of our physical assets, delivering modern, safe, accessible and sustainable environments.
- Human Resources: building an engaged workforce, championing a values-driven culture and supporting career growth.
- Marketing & Future Students: inspiring students worldwide to choose JCU and shaping our reputation across the tropics and beyond.
- Service Transformation & Client Satisfaction: driving continuous improvement and embedding a culture of helpfulness and accountability.
- Student Accommodation: creating inclusive residential communities where students feel safe, supported and connected.
- Technology Solutions & Digital Transformation: enabling the digital University, powering innovation, agility and strategic insight.
We are driven by a strong customer service ethic and a continuous improvement mindset. We are bold, curious and receptive to new ideas, always seeking ways to elevate our service delivery and to help the University achieve its ambitions.
Organisational Charts:
JCU Executive and Services Division:
People and Culture Structure:
Living and working with purpose
With its breathtaking natural environment, North Queensland inspires a lifestyle grounded in sustainability and care. Locals are passionate about protecting the reef, conserving native wildlife, and living in harmony with the land. JCU shares this vision, leading world-class research into climate change, marine science, and eco-innovation. Whether you’re working or building a life here, you’ll be part of a region that values community, connection, and a greener future.
Take a tour of our main JCU campus....
The Opportunity
The Chief People Officer delivers strategic people, culture and workforce outcomes through enterprise leadership of the University's people and culture agenda, ensuring workforce strategies, organisational capability, culture, governance and people services enable the achievement of the University's strategic priorities and long-term sustainability.
Key Accountabilities and Deliverables:
The Chief People Officer will be accountable for:
- Ensuring workforce, culture and organisational capability programs are aligned with the University Strategy, future organisational needs and emerging higher education sector opportunities by leading the codesign and implementation of the University's People and Culture Strategy.
- Ensuring the University has the capability, leadership and talent required to achieve their strategic priorities by driving values-based cultural transformation and organisational transformation, underpinned by a strategic workforce planning framework.
- Providing executive assurance on compliance and risk through employment and industrial relations frameworks, including the leadership of Enterprise Agreement negotiations, workforce governance, and associated policies, procedures and practices.
- Providing trusted workforce advice to the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor and President, and Executive Leadership Team on complex case management, workforce risk, compliance assurance, organisational performance and accountability, culture and leadership, and workforce diversity and inclusion.
- Driving an inclusive, values-led culture, through leadership of diversity, equity, inclusion, wellbeing and employee engagement initiatives.
- Ensuring the effective stewardship of the People and Culture portfolio, including strategy execution, financial management, systems transformation, performance outcomes and continuous improvement.
- Strengthening organisational capability, sector reputation and workforce outcomes by building strategic partnerships internally and externally to the university.
Key Selection Criteria
- Postgraduate qualifications in Human Resources, Business, Law, Organisational Development or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and executive experience.
- Extensive executive leadership experience in a large, complex and service-oriented organisation.
- Demonstrated success developing and implementing enterprise-wide people, culture and workforce strategies.
- Significant experience leading organisational transformation, values-based cultural transformation and workforce reform.
- Extensive knowledge of industrial relations, employment legislation, governance and workforce risk management, and compliance assurance.
- Exceptional stakeholder engagement, influencing and communication skills, with demonstrated experience advising executives and governing bodies.
- Proven capability to lead and develop high-performing leadership teams while managing significant operational and financial accountability.
Further Information
Authenticity
Working in, with and for the communities in which we are based, we are responsive to their needs and champions for transformative education and research. In doing so we act ethically, transparently and with generosity of spirit.
Excellence
Our global reputation for cutting-edge research and education is built upon our responsiveness to the unique characteristics of the places in which we work and our commitment to excel in everything we do.
Integrity
We hold ourselves to the highest standards of professional and scientific conduct. We are proactive in identifying and acting on barriers to inclusiveness and diversity in all aspects of university life.
Respect
JCU fosters a respectful environment for robust debate and a diversity of ideas, engaging our staff, students and the broader community in a supportive, culturally respectful and connected community of higher learning
JCU staff members enjoy a wide range of benefits alongside the tropical sunny lifestyle North Queensland is famous for in Townsville and Cairns and the unique culture of Singapore, including:
- Attractive salary package including relocation assistance if required
- Up to 17% employer contributed superannuation
- salary sacrifice options
- vehicle leasing
- generous range of leave entitlements to support staff
- equity, diversity and inclusive practices
Tropical lifestyle. World-class learning. Limitless adventure.
What’s it like to live here?
North Queensland offers a relaxed, outdoor-focused lifestyle that’s hard to match. With a tropical climate year-round, the weather is warm to hot, with summer temperatures averaging 24–32°C and dry, mild winters ranging from 17–26°C. Think sun-drenched days and never needing a heavy jacket.
Nature at your doorstep
Few places in the world give you access to natural wonders like this. From snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef to hiking the Daintree Rainforest or cooling off under secret waterfalls, adventure is part of everyday life. You can kayak along creeks, spot cassowaries on rainforest trails, or island-hop on your weekends.
Rich in culture and community
North Queensland is home to strong and diverse First Nations cultures. The region also attracts people from across the globe, making for a welcoming, multicultural environment. There’s a growing arts and food scene, community festivals, weekend markets, and plenty of ways to connect – whether you’re new to town or a local returning home.
If you’re moving to North Queensland with children, you’ll find plenty of support. Both Cairns and Townsville offer excellent public and private schools, kindergartens, and early learning centres. Many areas are family-friendly, with parks, beaches, and safe neighbourhoods where kids can thrive. The pace of life here allows more time for what matters most.
Opportunity meets lifestyle
While the region is known for its natural beauty, it’s also a hub of innovation and research. North Queensland is a key player in marine science, tropical health, environmental management, and sustainable tourism. Students and professionals alike are drawn here by the chance to work on real-world challenges in meaningful, hands-on ways, all while enjoying a lifestyle that prioritises balance and wellbeing.
Affordable, everyday living
One of the best things about living in North Queensland is how far your money goes. Compared to capital cities, the cost of living is refreshingly affordable, including rent, groceries, or weekend fun. Students in particular benefit from lower housing costs, with plenty of sharehouses and on-campus accommodation options available. And with nature as your playground, many of the best experiences here can cost next to nothing.
Healthcare and wellbeing
North Queensland offers access to excellent healthcare, including public and private hospitals, mental health services, and community clinics. JCU’s Townsville and Cairns campuses are linked to major hospitals, giving medical and allied health students valuable hands-on experience. For everyday health needs, both cities offer modern GP clinics, dental services, and student health centres – so you can stay well and supported while you study or work.
A place to belong
North Queensland has a warm, welcoming community spirit. Whether you’re from the city, the bush, or overseas, there are countless ways to connect – from university clubs and social groups to cultural festivals and community volunteering. JCU offers support networks for new students, including international and Indigenous mentoring programs, LGBTQIA+ groups, and academic support services to help you settle in and feel at home.
Ready to Apply?
To apply, please submit your CV and a brief cover letter (maximum two pages) outlining your capability and motivation to https://watermarksearchinternational.snapforms.com.au/form/application-form-sydney-search quoting Ref No A006518.
Revised Closing Date: 11.59pm Friday 16th October.
Contact Information
If you require further information about the opportunities or the application process, please contact:
Will Wilson, Partner, Watermark
Mobile: 0499 920 848
Email: will.wilson@watermarksearch.com.au
Dani White, Partner, Watermark
Mobile: 0425 370 124
Email: dani.white@watermarksearch.com.au
Alison Myatt, Head of Research, Watermark
Mobile: 0412 630 817
Email: alison.myatt@watermarksearch.com.au