Build & lead the HR function for a global renewable energy business, shaping the people strategy. Your new company
This is a rare opportunity to join a globally recognised renewable energy business at a pivotal stage of its Australian growth journey. With strong international backing and significant investment in the region, the business is building a high-performing Melbourne team and is now looking for an exceptional People and Culture leader to shape the future of its workforce locally. This is not a 'steady state' HR role - this is your chance to build something meaningful from the ground up and leave a lasting imprint on a growing organisation.

Your new role
As the People and Culture Manager, you will be entrusted with full ownership of the HR function in Australia, designing, building, and embedding HR practices from day one. You will act as a true strategic partner to senior leadership, bringing both commercial insight and people expertise to the table. Alongside this, you will take a hands-on approach to implementation, ensuring your strategy is translated into impact. In addition to leading the people agenda, you will oversee payroll operations, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and excellent employee experience. This role is best suited to a high calibre HR professional who has successfully built or established an HR function from scratch and thrives in an environment where autonomy, pace, and impact go hand in hand

• Building the HR function from inception, creating structure, processes, and frameworks that enable scale
• Partnering closely with senior leadership to drive business performance through people strategy
• Embedding and enhancing HR processes aligned to a global operating model
• Owning the full employee life cycle, from talent acquisition through to development and retention
• Leading workforce planning, engagement, and culture initiatives during a period of rapid growth
• Ensuring operational excellence across HR administration, compliance, and governance
• Overseeing payroll processes, ensuring accurate and compliant payroll delivery

This is a career-defining role, offering the opportunity to influence, shape, and elevate an entire function.

What you'll need to succeed
To be successful, you will be a highly driven, self-starting HR leader who is motivated by building, shaping, and influencing at scale.

• Proven experience creating and building an HR function from the ground up within a growing or international business
• A strong track record of operating as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders
• The ability to seamlessly switch between strategy and execution
• Experience working within, or aligning to, a global or remote head office structure
• A commercially minded, solutions-focused approach with a strong sense of ownership
• Deep knowledge of Australian employment legislation and HR best practice
• Experience within the (renewable) energy industry is essential
• Previous experience overseeing payroll processes, either directly or through an outsourced provider

This role is best suited to someone who is ambitious, resilient, and energised by the opportunity to create rather than maintain.

What you'll get in return

• A career defining opportunity to build and lead the HR function in Australia
• Unparalleled visibility and influence within a growing international business
• The autonomy to shape strategy, with strong global support behind you
• A dynamic, fast paced environment where high performance is recognised and rewarded
• The chance to be part of a business contributing to the global transition to renewable energy

What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV to nicola.jones@hays.com.au, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion on your career.
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