General Manager Human Resources

Kia Australia Pty Ltd; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Kia Australia is seeking a dynamic General Manager, Human Resources to lead our HR function, partner with executive leadership, and drive organisational performance. Reporting to the CFO, this role shapes and executes a people strategy that supports growth, strengthens capability, and fosters a high-performance, inclusive culture.

You will develop and implement an HR strategy aligned to business objectives, work with senior leaders on workforce planning and design, provide data-driven insights,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, or related discipline.
• 10+ years' HR experience, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of employment law, compliance, and HR best practice.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute HR strategies that deliver results.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a contemporary HR strategy aligned to business objectives.
• Partner with senior leaders on workforce planning, organisational design, and capability uplift.
• Provide data-driven insights to inform strategic decision-making.
• Lead end-to-end talent strategy including acquisition, development, succession, and retention.
• Drive performance management frameworks and leadership development initiatives.
• Build a sustainable pipeline of future leaders.
• Champion an inclusive, high-performing culture aligned to Kia's values.
• Lead employee engagement initiatives and track outcomes to drive improvement.
• Manage employee relations matters proactively and with minimal risk.
• Ensure compliance with employment legislation, WHS, and regulatory requirements.
• Mitigate organisational risk across employee relations, safety, and compliance.
• Oversee HR policies, processes, and systems to ensure effectiveness and consistency.
• Lead remuneration, benefits, and recognition frameworks aligned to market and business needs.
• Ensure the efficient delivery of HR operations, including payroll and HR systems.
• Use HR metrics to drive continuous improvement and performance outcomes.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and capability development.
• Evaluate and enhance the impact of development initiatives on organisational performance.

Skills

Strategic leadership

HR strategy

Workforce planning

Stakeholder engagement

Data-driven insights

Change management

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

Job description

Kia Australia is seeking a dynamic and commercially astute General Manager, Human Resources to lead our HR function and partner with executive leadership to drive organisational performance.

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, this role is responsible for shaping and executing a people strategy that enables business growth, strengthens capability, and fosters a high-performance, inclusive culture.

What you’ll be doing

As a key member of the leadership team, you will:

• Develop and execute a contemporary HR strategy aligned to business objectives
• Partner with senior leaders on workforce planning, organisational design, and capability uplift
• Provide data-driven insights to inform strategic decision-making

Talent & Performance

• Lead end-to-end talent strategy including acquisition, development, succession, and retention
• Drive performance management frameworks and leadership development initiatives
• Build a sustainable pipeline of future leaders

Culture & Engagement

• Champion an inclusive, high-performing culture aligned to Kia's values
• Lead employee engagement initiatives and track outcomes to drive improvement
• Manage employee relations matters proactively and with minimal risk

Governance & Risk

• Ensure compliance with employment legislation, WHS, and regulatory requirements
• Mitigate organisational risk across employee relations, safety, and compliance
• Oversee HR policies, processes, and systems to ensure effectiveness and consistency

Reward & Operations

• Lead remuneration, benefits, and recognition frameworks aligned to market and business needs
• Ensure the efficient delivery of HR operations, including payroll and HR systems
• Use HR metrics to drive continuous improvement and performance outcomes

Learning & Development

• Foster a culture of continuous learning and capability development
• Evaluate and enhance the impact of development initiatives on organisational performance

About you

You are a strategic HR leader with a strong commercial mindset and a proven track record of driving business outcomes through people.

You will bring:

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, or related discipline
• 10+ years' HR experience, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership role
• Strong knowledge of employment law, compliance, and HR best practice
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute HR strategies that deliver results
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills

Key capabilities

• Strategic thinking and commercial acumen
• Executive-level influence and leadership
• Change management and organisational effectiveness
• Talent management and workforce planning expertise
• Strong judgement and risk management capability
• Commitment to integrity, inclusion, and continuous improvement

Why join Kia Australia?

At Kia, we're driven by innovation, performance, and a commitment to our people. You'll play a critical role in shaping our culture and enabling the success of our business during an exciting phase of growth.