Senior People & Culture Business Partner

• Lilydale, VIC (Hybrid - 2 Days Onsite)
• $480-$560 per day PAYG (~$60-$70/hr) - $520-$610 per day ABN
• Contract until Easter 2026 (with strong view to extension)
• High ER focus - Support 400-450 staff across 3 directorates

The Opportunity
We're partnering with one of Victoria's largest and most community-focused local governments, to find a Senior People & Culture Business Partner to join their P&C Operations team.

This is a busy, hands-on role where you'll manage a diverse client group of around 400-450 employees across three directorates, including roughly 150 blue-collar outdoor staff.

You'll step in as one of two Senior BPs in the team, supporting and mentoring a long-tenured Business Partner who reports directly into this position - someone who's been with the business for over 15 years and is the go-to SME for all things and is an expert in TechOne and local systems.

The role is available for an immediate start (ideally within 2-3 weeks) as the current Senior BP transitions into a Team Lead role.

Easter 2026 is the initial timeframe, but there's flexibility for extension.

What You'll Be Doing

• Partner closely with leaders across three directorates to deliver pragmatic people solutions
• Lead and manage complex case management, disciplinary and non-work injury matters (approx. 70% of the workload)
• Act as the escalation point for grievances, disputes, and investigations
• Provide expert advice on Enterprise Agreements, Awards, and Fair Work compliance
• Support organisational change, restructures, and workforce movements across directorates
• Coach and guide managers through performance management and conduct issues
• Contribute to strategic people initiatives (approx. 30% of workload)
• Provide leadership, coaching and support to the Business Partner reporting into this role
• Assist in developing and uplifting HR policies, processes, and documentation

About You
You're a calm, solutions-driven HR leader who's confident in the ER/IR space, with strong stakeholder skills and the ability to "handhold" managers through tricky people matters.

You thrive in busy environments where no two days are the same and enjoy working across a mix of indoor and outdoor staff groups.

You'll Bring:

• Proven experience as a Senior HR or P&C Business Partner in complex environments (Local Government experience highly regarded)
• Strong understanding of Enterprise Agreements, Awards, and the Fair Work Act
• Experience managing high-volume case management, disciplinary and grievance matters
• Sound judgement and ability to assess risk and provide balanced, defensible advice
• Excellent communication and influencing skills - both written and verbal
• Experience supporting organisational change and workforce realignment
• Degree in Human Resources or Social Sciences, or equivalent practical experience
• TechOne or similar HRIS experience desirable (BP in your team is the system SME)

Why Join?

• Immediate start - Contract through to Easter 2026 (view to extend)
• Support a diverse workforce of 450 staff across 3 directorates
• Balanced role: 70% ER/case management, 30% strategic partnering
• Mentor and lead a highly experienced BP within a stable, collaborative team
• Hybrid model: 2 days onsite (Tuesdays & Thursdays preferred, Thursday anchor day)
• Competitive pay $480-$560/day PAYG (~$60-$70/hr)
• Make a real impact in a progressive, inclusive local government environment