APAC Head of People & Culture - Scale-Up Tech

The Next Step; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

The Next Step is seeking an experienced and commercially-minded People leader to guide the HR function across Australia and New Zealand, partnering with senior executives and portfolio leadership to drive growth and engagement. You will balance strategic leadership with hands‑on execution in a decentralised model.

You will shape the people agenda for expansion into Southeast Asia, overseeing talent acquisition for leadership roles and building scalable HR frameworks to support multiple operating

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a senior HR leadership role with a global organisation.
• Experience within a scale-up technology company, software business, consulting environment, private equity‑backed organisation or professional services firm.
• Proven success partnering with senior executives and leadership teams to deliver business outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the People strategy and function across the APAC region.
• Partner with senior executives, business leaders and portfolio leadership teams to drive organisational effectiveness, leadership capability and business performance.
• Provide expert advice on employee relations, performance management, organisational design and change.
• Lead talent reviews, succession planning and leadership development initiatives.
• Drive employee engagement, culture and organisational effectiveness programs.
• Support leaders through restructures, workforce planning, executive transitions and complex people matters.
• Develop scalable HR frameworks, playbooks and self‑service resources to support operating businesses.
• Oversee strategic talent acquisition activities for key leadership and specialist positions.
• Partner with global stakeholders to adapt and implement people initiatives across the region.
• Rebuild and strengthen the foundations of the regional shared‑services People model.

Skills

Senior HR leadership

Global organisation experience

Scale-up / tech industry

Executive stakeholder management

Change management

Employee relations

Talent development

Job description

The Next Step is seeking an experienced and commercially-minded People leader to guide the HR function across Australia and New Zealand, partnering with senior executives and portfolio leadership to drive growth and engagement. You will balance strategic leadership with hands‑on execution in a decentralised model.

You will shape the people agenda for expansion into Southeast Asia, overseeing talent acquisition for leadership roles and building scalable HR frameworks to support multiple operating