Advisor - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Russell Kennedy; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

Russell Kennedy in Melbourne is seeking an Advisor - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to join the People & Culture team. You will coordinate the DEI program, provide governance support, and collaborate with Working Groups to deliver annual DEI initiatives and training.

You will also support Learning & Development efforts, ensure accessibility standards, and help embed inclusive practices across the employee lifecycle. The role emphasizes governance, reporting, and external benchmarking.

Qualifications

• 3+ years' experience in Human Resources, DEI, Learning & Development, or related field.
• Experience coordinating and supporting delivery of employee programs and initiatives, ideally within DEI, learning, wellbeing or employee engagement.
• Experience supporting learning programs with a focus on inclusion and accessibility.
• Experience working with internal stakeholders and external vendors.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and oversee the DEI program of work aligned to firm strategy and priorities.
• Provide secretariat support to the DEI Committee (agendas, papers, minutes, action tracking).
• Advise DEI Working Groups on inclusive design, accessibility and engagement.
• Partner with Working Groups to develop and deliver annual initiatives and events.
• Track, measure and report DEI initiatives and outcomes including dashboards and insights.

Skills

DEI strategy

Project coordination

Stakeholder mgmt

Learning & development

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related

Job description

Advisor - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We have a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Advisor - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to join our People & Culture team in Melbourne.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

• Coordinate and oversee the DEI program of work, ensuring alignment with firm strategy, timelines and priorities
• Provide secretariat support to the DEI Committee (agendas, papers, minutes, action tracking)
• Advise DEI Working Groups on best practice approaches, including inclusive design, accessibility and engagement
• Partner with Working Groups to develop, plan and deliver annual initiatives and events
• Ensure consistency, quality and alignment across DEI initiatives
• Provide practical, evidence-based advice to stakeholders on inclusive workplace practices
• Identify opportunities to embed DEI into policies, processes, and employee lifecycle activities
• Coordinate DEI-related education and communications across the firm
• Track, measure and report on DEI initiatives and outcomes, including dashboards and insights
• Contribute to external reporting and benchmarking (e.g. WGEA, surveys)
• Maintain and update DEI content on the firm's intranet
• Manage relationships with external DEI partners and suppliers
• Support DEI governance, frameworks and compliance requirements

Learning & Development Support

• Provide administrative and coordination support for firm wide annual learning programs
• Partner with L&D Manager to embed inclusive design principles across all learning
• Support delivery of DEI-related training and awareness initiatives
• Review training materials to identify and mitigate bias
• Ensure learning programs meet accessibility standards (e.g. accessible formats, captions, inclusive language)
• Coordinate enrolments for key wellbeing and compliance training, including but not limited to Manual Handling, Mental Health
• First Aid (MHFA) Accreditation & Refreshers, Contact Officer Training.
• Coordinate organisation-wide wellbeing initiatives, including but not limited to Annual Flu Vaccination Program, Financial Wellbeing sessions, Registration Support for Corporate Events

ISO27001 Audit

• Maintains cyber security at all times. Cultivate an awareness of security risks, stay informed of latest cyber threats, instil best cybersecurity practises and take practical steps to protect the firm and client from cyberattacks.

Skills/Knowledge

• Tertiary qualifications in Human Resources Management or a related discipline
• Strong organisational and coordination skills, with high attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders effectively
• Understanding of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion principles and inclusive workplace practices
• Knowledge of inclusive learning practices, including accessibility standards (e.g. captions, formats, inclusive language)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Experience

• 3+ years' experience in Human Resources, DE&I, Learning & Development, or a related field
• Experience coordinating and supporting the delivery of employee programs and initiatives, ideally within DEI, learning, wellbeing or employee engagement
• Experience supporting learning programs with a focus on inclusion and accessibility
• Experience working with internal stakeholders and external vendors

Our Firm and Culture

Russell Kennedy is a commercial law firm with more than 380 people in Melbourne and Sydney. At Russell Kennedy we are committed to providing exceptional legal strategies and solutions to our clients, guided by market-leading expertise across our key sectors of focus.

We're committed to making a difference for our clients, providing opportunities for our people, and delivering lasting change for our community. As part of our team, you'll receive hands-on experience, quality mentoring and access to valuable learning opportunities. We encourage a professional and committed work ethic, while recognising the importance of an enjoyable working environment and balanced lifestyle.

At Russell Kennedy, we respect and celebrate the things that make each of us different. The firm is dedicated to creating an environment that is characterised by equal access and respected participation of all groups and individuals. This is regardless of all differences, including culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity, age, religion, personal circumstances, physical features, abilities and disabilities, socioeconomics and sexual orientation.

We believe we have a culture where individuals of all backgrounds and abilities feel included and confident in bringing their whole selves to work, and where your talents are fostered, empowering you to contribute to the success of the firm.

Russell Kennedy is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is certified as a WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality. We are committed to being a LGBTIQ friendly and disability confident employer. The firm supports and promotes a range of initiatives including, the Russell Kennedy Women's Network and our Diversity and Inclusion committee, with 3 key focuses: Access RK (Accessibility and Disability), Kaleidoscope (Cultural Diversity) and SPARKLE (LGBTIQ).

Russell Kennedy is dedicated to creating and participating in a meaningful process of reconciliation as part of the broader national reconciliation movement. Our key aims in embarking on our first RAP are to celebrate the deep knowledge of First Nations communities, the longest continuing cultures in the world, acknowledge past wrongs and to begin to build a structured future together where we can play our part in righting those wrongs through our own reconciliation initiatives.

Russell Kennedy is committed to attracting the best talent available and is open to discussing flexible work arrangements and workplace adjustments for all of our listed vacancies.