Head of People & Culture

About the role

The Head of People & Culture will lead an established HR function for a well‑known Australian organisation operating across multiple states. Reporting to the Managing Director, the role focuses on executing strategy, embedding initiatives and ensuring the people function drives business performance.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the People & Culture function across the business.
• Execute and embed people initiatives aligned to business objectives.
• Drive workforce planning and organisational capability outcomes.
• Coach leaders to build confidence, capability and accountability.
• Lead complex employee and industrial relations matters.
• Manage people‑related risk, compliance and governance.
• Oversee payroll governance and compliance frameworks.
• Develop and refine people policies, processes and frameworks.
• Use workforce insights and data to support business decision‑making.
• Lead and develop the HR Manager while setting standards across the function.

Required profile

• Significant experience leading a People & Culture or HR function.
• Background in construction, property, infrastructure, manufacturing or a similarly operational environment.
• Strong employee relations, industrial relations and employment law expertise.
• Proven experience partnering with senior leaders in operational settings.
• Demonstrated success coaching and developing leaders.
• Experience driving workforce planning, organisational capability and people performance outcomes.
• Strong commercial acumen and sound business judgement.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Ability to navigate complex people matters with confidence and pragmatism.
• Hands‑on, solutions‑focused approach with a bias for action.

Required skills