Cremorne, Melbourne

Reports to: Managing Director (Oceania), with a dotted line to Regional HR Director (Asia) 

Team: Leading a team of 7 

Global Lifestyle Brand  

About PUMA 

PUMA is one of the world’s leading sports and lifestyle brands, driving performance and culture through innovation, style, and speed. In Oceania, we’re in an exciting phase of accelerated reset & recreate. Our team of 400+ employees across Australia and New Zealand plays a vital role in bringing PUMA’s spirit to life & strategic vision —from retail and wholesale to corporate functions. 

The role will be based in our incredible new office in the heart of Cremorne.  

As part of a global team of 25,000 team members,  PUMA Oceania thrives on collaboration, energy, and an inclusive culture that champions both performance and wellbeing. We move fast, challenge the expected, and support each other to win together. 

About The Role 

We’re looking for an inspiring Director, People & Organization (P&O) to lead our Oceania people strategy and elevate our culture during a 12‑month maternity leave period. This role is pivotal in enabling business growth, strengthening leadership capability, and ensuring our people experience reflects the heart of the PUMA brand. 

You’ll partner closely with the Managing Director and collaborate with the Regional P&O Director for Asia to shape the future of our workforce, lead a team of seven talented P&O professionals, and deliver initiatives that support our high‑performance and people‑first culture. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Drive the P&O strategy across Oceania in alignment with business goals and global PUMA priorities. 

• Lead organizational planning initiatives including workforce planning, talent management, and succession to support rapid growth. 

• Elevate employee engagement through meaningful programs that strengthen connection, wellbeing, and inclusivity. 

• Embed the PUMA values and mindset into everyday practices and leadership behaviours. 

• Partner closely with senior leadership and the Oceania Managing Director to shape and execute HR strategies aligned with the company’s growth goals. 

• Oversee end to end talent acquisition, ensuring we attract high calibre talent across retail and corporate teams.  

• Lead learning and development efforts that build leadership capability and foster a high performing, collaborative environment. 

• Manage generalist HR operations across employee relations, performance management, policy, and payroll.  

• Oversee office facilities and ensure a safe, energising, and efficient workplace 

• Lead, coach, and develop the P&O team, supporting their growth and ensuring consistent delivery of high impact HR services 

About You (What We’re Looking For) 

You may be ready for your next challenge, and a maternity leave contract offers the perfect opportunity to step into a more senior role - one where you can make a meaningful impact, lead a high‑performing team, and shape the people strategy of a globally recognised brand. 

You lead with heart, courage, and commercial awareness.  

You are a strategic, forward thinking HR leader who thrives in fast paced, consumer focused environments. You balance big picture thinking with hands on execution and bring a genuine passion for building strong cultures and empowered teams. 

You will bring: 

• A Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business or related field; postgraduate qualifications (CIPD, SHRM) are a plus. 

• 10+ years of broad HR generalist experience, ideally in lifestyle, retail, or consumer driven brands. 

• Proven success in leading HR strategy within a scaling or high growth organization. 

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence, coach, and partner with senior stakeholders. 

• Excellent communication and relationship building abilities. 

• Strong analytical capability and confidence in using data for decision making. 

• Experience driving cultural and engagement initiatives across diverse teams. 

• Exposure to facilities or workplace operations is beneficial. 

Contract Start Date