People Business Partner
About the role
St John Ambulance SA is seeking a solution-focused People Business Partner to join its People, Performance & Culture team. The position works closely with leaders throughout the organisation and combines strategic HR business partnering with hands-on people support. The successful candidate will provide trusted advice, coach managers, assist with workforce planning and manage complex employee and workplace matters.
A major part of the position involves employee relations and performance management. The People Business Partner will advise leaders on workplace conduct, performance, disciplinary matters and employee relations issues. They will manage and conduct workplace investigations, support performance-management processes and help managers address difficult workforce situations fairly and consistently. The role also requires the ability to interpret awards, enterprise agreements and employment legislation and identify workforce risks before they become larger issues.
The role also contributes to strategic workforce planning. The successful candidate will build effective relationships with managers and senior leaders, support succession planning and talent initiatives, and contribute to organisational design and workforce capability planning. Analysing workforce trends and providing practical people insights will help leaders make informed decisions about their teams and organisational priorities.
Leadership, Culture and Workforce Development
Leadership coaching is another important element of the role. The People Business Partner will coach and mentor leaders to improve their people-management capability and provide guidance when managers are dealing with challenging workforce matters or difficult conversations. The position may also contribute to leadership development and learning initiatives.
The role supports a positive workplace culture based on accountability, engagement, inclusion and continuous improvement. The successful candidate will contribute to organisational change initiatives, advise leaders about workforce impacts and help maintain effective employee engagement.
The position also supports workplace health, safety, wellbeing and psychosocial-risk initiatives. This requires an understanding of how workplace conditions and organisational change can affect employees and teams.
HR Operations, Projects and Compliance
The People Business Partner will support recruitment and selection activities and participate in people and culture projects. Responsibilities include developing or reviewing HR policies, procedures and resources, supporting workforce reporting and compliance requirements, and improving People systems and processes.
The position requires someone who can balance strategic thinking with practical HR delivery. Competing priorities are likely, so strong organisation, judgement and problem-solving skills are important. The role is primarily full-time, although St John SA states that a part-time arrangement may be considered for the right candidate.
St John SA describes the opportunity as a chance to work in a purpose-driven organisation, partner with leaders across a diverse workforce and contribute to initiatives that improve culture, capability and employee experience.
Requirements & Qualifications
Candidates should have demonstrated experience working as a Human Resources Business Partner, People Business Partner, Senior HR Advisor or in a comparable HR position. Strong employee-relations experience is required, particularly experience handling complex workplace matters and investigations.
Applicants should have sound knowledge of Australian employment legislation, industrial relations requirements, awards and enterprise agreements. The ability to coach, influence and develop trusted relationships with managers and stakeholders is important.
Experience supporting organisational change and continuous improvement initiatives is desirable. Candidates should demonstrate strong communication, interpersonal, analytical and problem-solving abilities and be capable of managing competing priorities in a dynamic workplace.
A tertiary qualification in Human Resources, Business, Organisational Psychology or Management is highly desirable. CPHR accreditation or an equivalent professional qualification is regarded favourably. Qualifications in workplace investigations, mediation or organisational development are also desirable.
A current Provide First Aid qualification is required, or candidates must be willing to obtain one. Employment is subject to a satisfactory Criminal History Check and a current Working with Children Check.