Senior People & Culture Business Partner

Are you a commercially astute HR leader who thrives at the intersection of strategy, governance, and delivery?

We are seeking a Senior P&C Business Partner to play a pivotal role in driving organisational performance through disciplined workforce strategy, strong financial oversight, and high-impact people leadership.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Head of People & Culture, you will partner with senior executives to optimise workforce performance, strengthen organisational design, and ensure people strategies directly support financial and operational objectives.

• Drive standardisation and efficiency across people management processes

• Leverage economies of scale to deliver cost-effective HR services

• Oversee people budgets, labour unit rates, and workforce cost drivers

• Embed governance frameworks aligned with policy, legislation, and best practice

• Lead strategic workforce planning and organisational design initiatives

• Provide clear, objective advice on complex and high-risk people matters

• You will operate as a trusted advisor balancing commercial pragmatism with strong governance ensuring enterprise-wide impacts are considered in every decision

What we are looking for 

• A minimum of seven years of substantial experience in a senior HR/IR role in large, multi-site construction environment

• High level IR/ER management experience including the application and interpretation of industrial instruments and legislation within the Australian IR Legislative framework

• Experience in providing effective strategic HR advice and support to leaders on issues including the development and delivery of cultural change, building talent and capability and coaching

• Highly developed analytical, negotiating and influencing skills 

• A pragmatic and commercial focus supported by an ability to integrate this commercial focus within the HR plan

• Able to build solid understanding of the business priorities and develop HR plan with measurable initiatives to deliver a high standard of effective and integrated solutions

• Highly organised and self-motivated – must be outcomes focused, strategic, hands on, and operational, with exceptional technical capability

• Strong stakeholder management and interpersonal skills, especially with ability to influence, negotiate, persuade, and engage across a wide range of stakeholders at senior levels in a positive way

• Lead, coach and manage small HR team as required

What we offer

• Flexible working environment

• Opportunity for career growth with structured frameworks and supportive-inclusive team 

• Competitive Salary and Employee Benefits 

• Valued and respected position, with supportive and experienced team

• Work for a major ASX-listed company 

About Energy & Utilities…Downer's Energy & Utilities business unit is an integrated trans-Tasman team, providing services and solutions that connect communities to essential networks and infrastructure. We design, build, operate and maintain today's critical assets and networks, delivering complete services across the water, electricity, telecommunications, industrial and power generation sectors. Our expertise spans in-house technical smarts, specialist engineering, integrated OEM partners, and dedicated crews of qualified tradespeople.

Downer Group is an employer that acknowledges and embraces the importance of our people's diverse experiences, talents, and cultures. As an inclusive employer, we welcome applications from everyone.

How to apply

Click "Apply" to start your application. We look forward to hearing from you! 

Downer does not accept unsolicited resumes, fees, or costs from recruitment agencies, search firms, or third parties. Candidates are welcome to submit their applications via the advertisement.