ABOUT US:

ECKA delivers education and care services to children in diverse communities throughout Victoria's Central Highlands.

Our commitment lies in providing high-quality education and care that enriches the learning and development of every child. We advocate for children and the early education and care sector, serving as an influential voice for high-quality early years services.

Additionally, we strategically plan and collaborate for effective, sustainable, and supported early years services, both presently and in the future.

At ECKA, we are a collaborative, purpose-driven organisation that offers above-award conditions, prioritises professional development, and promotes a healthy work-life balance. We genuinely care for our workforce and are committed to fostering a positive and fulfilling environment for our team members. Through our work with children, families, communities, and governments we exist to enrich children’s lives through learning.

We are a Child Safe Organisation and are committed to child safety and well-being and zero tolerance for child abuse and harm. We are also proud to be a diverse, inclusive, and equal opportunity employer, and encourage applications from people of all ages, genders, cultural backgrounds, abilities, and orientations.

ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY

As ECKA navigates industry reforms and significant growth, we’ve strengthened our People & Culture function to better support our employees and the evolving needs of our services. We’re now seeking an experienced People & Culture Manager to lead a small, efficient team and ensure the delivery of high-quality HR support across the organisation.

This role offers the perfect mix of strategy and operational responsibility—managing the team, partnering with leaders, resolving complex employee matters, and making sure our people practices are aligned to organisational goals and values.

This position sits on the executive and reports to the CEO.

What you’ll do

• Lead and manage the People & Culture team, including the OD Lead and P&C Coordinator, to deliver timely, effective people services.
• Oversee HR programs, policies, and processes, ensuring they are embedded and consistently applied.
• Partner with managers to provide advice, coaching, and support on workforce planning, performance, compliance, and employee relations.
• Manage complex employee relations and compliance matters, ensuring fair, timely, and values-aligned outcomes.
• Support workforce planning and capability development aligned with ECKA’s strategic priorities.
• Deliver regular workforce insights and reporting to the CEO, Executive Team and Board.

ABOUT YOU

• Proven leadership of a P&C/ HR function delivering people strategies that drive organisational success.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams, coaching and uniting diverse groups to achieve shared goals.
• Strong background in employment law, employee relations, and managing complex HR and industrial matters.
• Ability to operate effectively at both strategic and operational levels, balancing big-picture planning with hands-on delivery.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and conflict resolution skills, with experience building strong partnerships.
• Understanding of, or capacity to quickly learn about, early childhood education sector issues, policies, and compliance.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Qualifications in Human Resources, Business Management, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a senior HR management role.
• Current National Police Check, Working with Children Check (WWCC), and legal right to work in Australia.

​​​​​​​Please Note: We will be shortlisting applicants throughout the advertisement period.​​​​​

If you have any questions please email [email protected] or call 5339 5055

​​​​​​