Head of People

Job title : Head of People
Location : Victoria
Job type : Permanent or Full Time
Contact name : Lauren Woods
Job reference : 1669858
Our client is a leading provider of high-quality products and services with operations across Australia and New Zealand. With a strong reputation for innovation and sustainable growth, the organisation is embarking on an exciting period of transformation and investment in its people.

As they continue to expand and evolve, they are seeking a dynamic and hands-on Head of People & Culture to partner with the CEO and executive team in shaping the people strategy, building leadership capability, and embedding a strong, values-driven culture.

About the Role
Reporting to the CEO, this role is responsible for leading and transforming the People & Culture function across Australia and New Zealand. You’ll oversee a small, capable team and work closely with the leadership group to deliver both strategic and operational HR initiatives that support growth, performance, and engagement.

You’ll be joining a business that is investing in its people and future, acquiring new businesses, expanding facilities, and strengthening leadership capability. This is a genuine opportunity to have an impact: to design strategy, lift team capability, and connect people across sites and regions.

Key Focus Areas Strategic & Operational Leadership
  • Develop and execute the People & Culture strategy aligned to business goals across Australia and New Zealand.
  • Partner with the CEO, CFO, and functional leaders to drive organisational design, workforce planning, and change.
  • Provide pragmatic, commercially minded HR advice while staying hands-on with compliance.
Culture & Engagement
  • Bring to life a collaborative, “better together” culture - building unity across Melbourne and Sydney teams and fostering trust, accountability, and connection.
  • Embed values through leadership behaviours, conversations, and development programs - not just frameworks.
  • Lead engagement and communication initiatives to connect people, including those in non-digital or site-based roles.
Leadership & Capability
  • Coach and develop a small, established P&C team to lift capability and confidence.
  • Drive leadership development programs and ensure succession, growth, and performance frameworks are in place.
  • Support the executive team in creating a consistent and aligned leadership approach across business units.
People Operations & Governance
  • Oversee all aspects of HR operations, policies, and governance - ensuring compliance and best practice.
  • Implement and maintain tools, systems, and processes to enhance employee experience and business insight.
  • Foster accountability and ownership across the business through proactive, solution-oriented HR delivery.
About You
You’re an experienced People & Culture leader who enjoys working both strategically and operationally. You’ll thrive in a fast-moving, evolving environment and bring a calm, pragmatic, and people-first approach.
You’ll also bring:
  • Proven experience leading HR in a multi-site, customer-focused environment.
  • Strong operational knowledge across Australia & New Zealand employment law.
  • Demonstrated success driving culture change, engagement, and leadership alignment.
  • The confidence to influence and coach senior stakeholders while building trust at every level.
  • A passion for connecting people and creating inclusive, values-led workplaces.
The Offer
  • Salary: $180,000 – $200,000 + Super
  • Location: Melbourne (preferred) or Sydney, with flexible hybrid working.
  • On-site engagement: 3-4 days in Melbourne operations.
  • Opportunity to travel interstate and to New Zealand as needed to connect teams.
Why You’ll Love It
This is an opportunity to join a growing, values-driven organisation where people and culture truly matter. You’ll work alongside a collaborative and down-to-earth leadership team who see HR as a key partner in achieving sustainable growth.

If you’re a people leader who enjoys blending strategy with delivery and wants to shape the next chapter of a business’s success story, we’d love to hear from you.