Chief People Officer

Job title : Chief People Officer
Location : Melbourne
Job type : Permanent or Full Time
Salary : Package + Car Allowance + Bonus
Contact name : Georgia Bell
Contact email : gbell@sharpandcarter.com.au
Job reference : 1650795
Retzos Group (RG) is a dynamic and rapidly expanding business operating 69 KFC restaurants across Victoria and NSW, with one more under construction and a clear goal to reach 100 stores by 2030. With a workforce of over 4,000 employees and a strong corporate support team, RG has grown to become one of the largest privately owned KFC franchisees both in Australia and globally. 
Following significant growth over the past six years, RG is entering an exciting new phase, transitioning from superannuation fund ownership to a commercially led and strategically focused model. This evolution brings a rare opportunity to shape the organisation’s future through a strong people and culture lens. 
  
The Opportunity 
Reporting directly to the General Manager and sitting on the Executive Leadership Team, the Chief People Officer (CPO) will lead a high-performing People & Culture function and play a pivotal role in driving the next chapter of RG’s growth. 

This is a broad and strategic role where you will balance the needs of a high-volume, multi-site operational workforce with the structure and sophistication required to shape the corporate support office framework. 
A key priority for the role will be Learning and Development, which is a core pillar of the organisation. The CPO will be instrumental in building leadership capability, driving succession planning, and embedding development pathways that uplift performance and engagement across every level of the business. 
  
Key Responsibilities 
  • Lead the strategic direction of the People & Culture function across 70 sites and the corporate office 
  • Drive workforce planning, organisational design, and leadership capability programs to support scalable growth 
  • Oversee remuneration, governance, and compliance frameworks including IR/ER management and EBA negotiations 
  • Partner with Operations, Finance, and Development to align people initiatives with commercial strategy 
  • Embed a high-performance, values-driven culture across all levels of the business 
  • Lead Learning & Development as a core business pillar, building capability frameworks, leadership programs, and tailored learning solutions 
  • Shape and evolve the corporate support office structure to drive connection, accountability, and impact 
  • Coach and develop senior leaders to enhance capability and succession 
  • Collaborate with KFC’s centralised People & Culture team on systems, compliance, and policy alignment 
  
About You 
You’re a seasoned, strategic HR leader who thrives in fast-paced, multi-site environments such as retail, hospitality, or franchise networks. You bring the rare combination of commercial acumen, strategic foresight, and people-centred leadership. 
To be successful, you will have: 
  • Proven success leading HR teams in complex, high-growth environments 
  • Deep expertise in Learning & Development and a passion for building capability at scale 
  • Experience in organisational design, workforce planning, and talent development 
  • Strong understanding of governance, compliance, and industrial relations (including EBAs) 
  • Demonstrated experience leading cultural transformation and change programs 
  • Exceptional influencing and relationship-building skills with senior stakeholders 
  • Tertiary qualifications in HR, Business, or related fields (post-graduate highly regarded) 
  
What’s on Offer 
  • Fully maintained company vehicle 
  • Annual incentive package 
  • Flexible, family-friendly environment that values balance and trust 
  • A genuine executive seat at the table, shaping the future of a nationally recognised brand
  • Location: Essendon Fields, with monthly Executive meetings in Shepparton.  
This is an exceptional opportunity to lead the full people and culture agenda for a thriving Australian success story, driving leadership, learning, and culture while shaping the people framework that will support RG’s continued growth towards 100 stores by 2030.