Consultant - Capability, Culture & Inclusion

Help shape the workplace culture of a leading university. Create impact at scale. 

What if your work could genuinely change how thousands of people experience their workplace every single day? 

If you're passionate about building inclusive cultures, strengthening organisational capability, and empowering leaders and teams to do their best work, this is your chance to do it at a scale that truly matters within a complex, purpose-driven institution. 

As a Consultant – Capability, Culture & Inclusion, you will play a central role in designing and delivering initiatives that bring our values to life, shape workplace culture, and build leadership capability across the Macquarie University Group. Working within the Capability, Culture & Inclusion team, you'll partner with senior leaders, HR Business Partners, and external specialists to deliver people solutions that are strategic, practical, and aligned to what matters most. 

About the Role 

Reporting to the Head, Capability, Culture & Inclusion, you will: 

• Design and deliver an enterprise-wide program of work focused on implementing our Values in Action, Workplace Culture, and Leadership Development initiatives — from inception through to sustainable adoption. 

• Provide expert consultation and advice to senior leaders and key stakeholders, delivering best-practice people solutions aligned to University strategy and Faculty/Department objectives. 

• Develop and deliver programs across leadership development, culture and people experience, learning, capability, diversity and inclusion, and performance — either independently or in collaboration with external partners. 

• Translate data and insights into clear, actionable recommendations that inform decision-making and drive measurable impact. 

• Work collaboratively with HR Business Partners to ensure enterprise-wide initiatives are informed by business unit strategies and priorities, supporting smooth implementation and adoption. 

• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal clients, stakeholders, and external providers to ensure programs are relevant, impactful, and sustainable. 

• Contribute to a team culture of continuous improvement and high performance across the HR function, modelling our four values and positive behaviours in all interactions. 

About Us 

The Capability, Culture & Inclusion team sits within Human Resources, and works collaboratively with HR Business Partners, HR Centres of Expertise, and HR Shared Services.  The team's primary purpose is to foster a workplace culture where people grow, feel included, and perform to deliver on Macquarie's strategy now and into the future. The team oversees enterprise-wide capability initiatives (including our Capability Framework, Management and Leadership Development, and Professional Development), culture and engagement programs (including listening strategies, culture and values), and inclusion programs (including implementation of the University's Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Framework and various supporting action plans, initiatives, and activities). 

About You 

You are a collaborative and solutions-oriented people professional who thrives in complex environments. You bring a strong foundation in organisational development and culture, combined with the confidence and interpersonal skill to influence and partner effectively at all levels. You are energised by translating strategy into meaningful, practical initiatives that genuinely improve the employee experience. 

Selection Criteria: 

• A degree and/or equivalent experience in organisational development, organisational psychology, psychology, diversity and inclusion, human resources, or a related discipline. 

• Demonstrated experience in a specialist organisational development and/or diversity and inclusion role in large, complex organisations, ideally in higher education, healthcare, or a similar environment. 

• Proven experience and achievement in leading strategic people initiatives aligned to organisational priorities from inception to delivery, including strong solution design capability in the development of organisational culture and values solutions, frameworks, programs, and services. 

• Knowledge of relevant equity, diversity and inclusion issues and anti-discrimination legislation. 

• Strong analytical skills to compile, analyse, and interpret data, translating insights into actionable recommendations to inform decision-making. 

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a demonstrated capacity to build and maintain effective stakeholder relationships and collaborative working partnerships in a complex environment. 

• Coaching, presentation, training, facilitation, and program design skills developed through applied and demonstrated experience in facilitating individuals and teams and building capability in others. 

Desirable:  

• Accreditation in leading psychometric profiling tools including Human Synergistics Lifestyles Inventory (LSI) and/or Organisational Culture Inventory (OCI) will be highly regarded . 

How to Apply

To be considered, please apply online with your CV and a cover letter, answering the below targeted question:  

• Describe an Organisation Development and/or People & Culture initiative you led end-to-end in a large, complex organisation. What was the problem, what solution did you design (framework/program/service), and what outcomes were achieved? 

Applications Close: Tuesday 12th of May at 11:59pm (AEST)

We reserve the right to progress or decline an application prior to the application closing date. 

For enquiries, or a confidential conversation about the role please contact Josie Vartlet Head, Capability, Culture and Inclusion at josie.varlet@mq.edu.au.

Why Join Us? 

Macquarie is a university engaged with the real and often complex problems and opportunities that define our lives. Since our foundation over 60 years ago, we have aspired to be a different type of university. Over the years, we have grown to become the centre of a vibrant local and global community. Connect with us today. 

We rank amongst the top employers in the Australian Workplace Employers Index. Explore the fantastic benefits available to you when you become part of the team at Macquarie University. 

• Flexible, hybrid work arrangements 

• 17% Superannuation 

• Subsidised onsite parking options 

• Extensive training and professional development programs 

• Onsite childcare facilities to support working parents 

• Onsite vacation care during school holidays 

• Discounted health insurance 

• Subsidised membership at our Sport & Aquatic Centre 

• Access to an Employee Assistance Program for free and confidential support 

• Convenient onsite GP, imaging, and physiotherapy clinics 

Pre-Employment Checks 

Macquarie University cultivates a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct, and strong integrity. Prior to completion of an offer of employment, preferred candidates will be required to participate in a combination of pre-employment checks relevant to the role they have applied for. 

Your employment is conditional upon the completion and maintenance of all role-required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University.