People & Culture Business Partner - Operations (Australia)

About the role

STACK Infrastructure builds, owns and operates hyperscale and colocation data centres, and is looking for a People & Culture Business Partner for its Operations workforce in Australia. The role supports the safe, reliable and compliant operation of STACK's critical facilities and covers the full employee lifecycle, with a strong focus on industrial relations, employee relations, Award interpretation, workforce compliance and employee experience. It works closely with operational leaders and site-based teams, most of whom are covered by the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award.

Key responsibilities

• Act as the primary People and Culture advisor to Operations leaders on industrial relations and employee relations matters.
• Interpret and apply the Manufacturing Award and other applicable employment legislation, policies, contracts and industrial instruments.
• Advise on classifications, remuneration, overtime, allowances, rostering, hours of work, breaks, leave and consultation requirements.
• Lead complex employee relations matters such as performance concerns, misconduct, grievances, investigations, disciplinary processes, absenteeism and fitness for work.
• Ensure fair, timely, well documented and legally compliant processes, working with external legal advisors where required.
• Partner with operational leaders to understand workforce needs, business priorities and workforce risks.
• Coach operational leaders and site managers on managing people, performance, difficult conversations, conduct, attendance and team dynamics.
• Use people data to identify trends and recommend actions on turnover, absenteeism, employee relations, performance and engagement.
• Lead, coach and develop the Recruiter Talent Acquisition team member reporting to this role.
• Lead the implementation of the company performance management framework across Operations.

Required profile

• Tertiary qualification in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Business or a related discipline.
• 8-15 years of HR experience, preferably in a 24x7 operational, manufacturing, engineering, facilities, infrastructure or critical environment business.
• Demonstrated experience managing industrial relations and employee relations in an Award-covered workforce.
• Experience advising leaders on rostering, shift work, overtime, allowances and operational workforce arrangements.
• Experience managing investigations, disciplinary matters, performance management and workplace grievances.
• Strong written communication, documentation and stakeholder management skills, and comfort working in a fast-paced, operational environment and being visible at sites.

Required skills

• Strong working knowledge of the Manufacturing Award, Fair Work Act, National Employment Standards and relevant Australian employment legislation.
• Sound industrial relations judgement and commercial acumen.
• High level of integrity, discretion and professionalism.