The Public Sector Podcast: Teams, Talent and Diversity - How to Recruit, Retain and Build Top Teams

Episode Overview:

Join Natalie Bekis (Assistant Secretary of Health Workforce Planning and Strategies at the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care) and Fiona Notley (Chief Operating Officer and Vice President at RMIT University) for a dynamic panel discussion on the realities of workforce engagement and transformation in the Victorian public sector.

Key Topics Covered:

• Post-COVID Workforce Dynamics: How Victoria’s public sector is adapting to the changing needs and expectations of employees, including flexible work arrangements, employee experience, and hybrid work.

• Fiscal Challenges: Insights into the tight fiscal environment impacting both Victoria and the broader Australian Public Service—and how to adapt recruitment and talent management practices accordingly.

• Recruitment & Talent Management: Strategies for modernising recruitment, talent mobility, and fostering intergenerational inclusion.

• Systems Thinking: Why effective policy design and stakeholder engagement are essential in navigating complex reforms.

• Employee Value Proposition: How organisations can strengthen their brand and employee experience to compete in the war for talent.

Key Takeaways:

💡 Leaders must co-design flexibility with their teams to align organisational needs with individual expectations.
💡 Managing performance with kindness and clarity is essential—leaders need to lean in and have tough conversations to support high-performing teams.
💡 Organisations should embrace systems thinking to design policies that serve complex, integrated communities.

Why You Should Listen:

This episode offers practical insights for leaders, HR professionals, and policymakers facing the challenges of post-COVID workforce engagement. Learn how Victoria’s public sector is rethinking talent attraction, fostering flexibility, and balancing fiscal constraints with innovation. Whether you’re looking to enhance employee engagement, navigate complex reforms, or build a more resilient organisation, this conversation provides the guidance and inspiration you need to lead confidently in uncertain times.

Don’t miss this engaging discussion that unpacks the challenges and opportunities in building and retaining a strong, engaged workforce in the Victorian public sector.