Specialist Practice

Human Resources & People & Culture

HR leadership, talent, reward and organisational development.

+5.4%Median HR base movement, 2025→26
3.1×Applications per HRBP role vs. 0.8× for reward specialists
62%Of CHROs now report directly to the CEO
Overview

We partner with organisations to appoint the HR, People & Culture and talent leaders who build high-performing, engaged workforces — from CHROs to specialists in reward, talent acquisition and organisational development.

Market context

The people function has never been more strategic. As employers compete for scarce talent and navigate hybrid work, expectations of HR leadership have risen sharply — and so has the premium on appointing the right person.

Talent market insights · Q2 2026

Where this market stands today

The people function has consolidated its seat at the top table. Chief People Officers are increasingly accountable for workforce strategy, AI-enabled productivity and culture through change — and reward at the top of the function has risen accordingly, even as generalist HR business-partner roles have softened on the back of strong candidate supply.

Demand by segment

Reward & remuneration specialists Acute shortage; pay-transparency reform driving demand.
HR analytics / people data
Talent acquisition leadership Rebalanced toward brand and internal mobility.
Generalist HR business partners Strong candidate supply; selective hiring.

Hiring demand index

+31.5%
202120222023202420252026

People & Culture hiring demand index — cooling in generalist roles, climbing in reward and analytics.

Salary snapshot

What these roles pay

Base salary, AUD '000 p.a. (excl. super & STI). For city-level and total-reward detail, download the full HR & People & Culture Salary Guide.

Chief People Officer / CHRO Enterprise
$320k $420k typical $600k
HR Director / Head of HR Large
$200k $260k typical $340k
Head of Talent Acquisition
$180k $220k typical $290k
Reward & Remuneration Lead Specialist
$190k $240k typical $320k
Organisational Development Lead
$170k $210k typical $270k
Senior HR Business Partner
$140k $165k typical $200k
HR Business Partner
$110k $135k typical $165k
Key talent shortage

Reward and remuneration specialists fluent in pay-equity and transparency obligations.

View the full HR & People & Culture Salary Guide

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