Senior Director, Operational Optimization - People

• Shape the operating rhythm and execution capability of the global People function
• Partner directly with the Chief People Officer and People Leadership Team
• Based in any Worley location

About us 

Worley is a global company of energy, chemicals and resources experts headquartered in Australia. We partner with our customers to deliver projects and create value across the life of their assets. We specialize in consulting, engineering, procurement and construction across the project lifecycle, with services extending through to operations and decommissioning. Leveraging extensive experience and AI-enabled delivery, we support customers in navigating complexity as they meet today's needs and transition to more sustainable solutions. 

About the Role 
Reporting to the Chief People Officer, you will be a trusted strategic partner to the CPO and People Leadership Team, strengthening the People function’s execution, governance discipline and operating rhythm. 
You will turn People strategy into clear plans, define clear measures of success, strengthen governance routines, ensuring critical initiatives move from decision to delivery. As the inaugural rotation, you will establish the CPO office operating framework, tools, decision forums and knowledge resources for future rotations. 
This is an individual contributor role with no direct reports. You will lead and coordinate cross-functional contributors and workstreams through influence rather than formal authority, working closely with the People Leadership Team, Group Executives, regional and functional People leaders, and Finance, Strategy, Communications and Transformation teams.

What you will be accountable for

• Partner with the CPO to clarify priorities, assess options through business, financial and people-performance lenses, and support timely, high-quality executive decisions.
• Translate People strategy into integrated plans, milestones, measures, ownership, resource choices and follow-through.
• Own the CPO office operating rhythm, including meetings, agendas, decision logs, action tracking, performance dashboards, governance routines and reporting cadences.
• Align People workstreams across regions, functions and centres of expertise, resolving blockers and, prioritising effort against enterprise outcomes, inclusive.
• Influence, negotiate with and challenge senior stakeholders to maintain momentum, manage competing priorities and deliver outcomes without formal authority.
• Lead high-impact People initiatives from opportunity, analysis and feasibility assessment through design, implementation and benefits tracking, governance, risk management and change adoption.
• Prepare and quality-assure executive briefings, presentations, leadership updates, board or committee materials and decision papers.
• Provide concise, data-driven insights on progress, performance, risks, dependencies, financial or operational implications and emerging issues, drawing on business metrics and workforce reporting to inform action.
• Support People budget, workforce, forecasting and business planning cycles with Finance and accountable leaders.
• Facilitate inclusive leadership sessions that invite diverse perspectives and convert discussion into decisions and actions.
• Establish practical, repeatable systems, templates and knowledge resources for the CPO office, supporting continuity, effective handover and continuous improvement.
• Handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion, sound judgment and appropriate escalation.

Success measures

• People priorities are delivered against clear milestones, measures, value drivers and risk considerations.
• Leadership decisions, actions and risks are documented, owned, tracked and closed in a timely manner.
• The CPO and People Leadership Team have a disciplined, efficient and well-regarded operating rhythm.
• Cross-People alignment improves, blockers, stakeholder impacts and inclusion risks are addressed early.
• Executive materials and reporting are accurate, concise, timely and decision-ready.
• CPO office processes, templates, governance structures and knowledge resources are established, adopted and sustainable for future rotations.
• Positive stakeholder feedback on the quality of strategic support, communication, coordination and follow-through.

Moving forward together

We want our people to be energized and empowered to drive sustainable impact. So, our focus is on a values-inspired culture that unlocks brilliance through belonging, connection and innovation. We're building a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace. Creating a space where everyone feels they belong, can be themselves, and are heard.

And we're not just talking about it; we're doing it. We're reskilling our people, leveraging transferable skills, and supporting the transition of our workforce to become experts in today's low carbon energy infrastructure and technology. Whatever your ambition, there's a path for you here.

And there's no barrier to your potential career success. Join us to broaden your horizons, explore diverse opportunities, and be part of delivering sustainable change.