General Manager of Human Resources

KIA Australia; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

KIA Australia is seeking an experienced GM of Human Resources to lead and drive our people strategy across the organisation. Reporting to the CEO, you will shape and deliver HR initiatives that support growth, capability and a high-performing, inclusive culture.

You will provide strategic leadership across all HR functions, partnering with senior leaders to align people strategies with business objectives and drive engagement, talent development and workforce planning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years' HR experience, including at least 5 years in a senior HR leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of Australian employment legislation, compliance requirements and HR best practice.
• Proven experience in talent acquisition, leadership development and succession planning.
• Strong change management and organisational development capability.
• Experience managing complex employee relations matters.
• Experience with HRIS platforms and payroll systems.
• Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement HR strategies aligned with organisational objectives.
• Partner with senior leaders to provide expert advice on people, culture and workforce planning.
• Drive employee engagement, retention and organisational performance initiatives.
• Lead talent acquisition, succession planning and leadership development programs.
• Oversee performance management frameworks and capability development initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with employment legislation, workplace regulations and HR best practice.
• Manage employee relations matters and foster a positive workplace culture.
• Oversee HR operations, payroll processes, employee records and HR systems.
• Manage compensation, benefits and employee programs, including novated lease arrangements.
• Develop and maintain HR policies, procedures and governance frameworks.
• Use HR analytics and metrics to support business decisions and continuous improvement.
• Lead change management and organisational development initiatives.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Employee engagement

Change management

Organisational development

HR analytics

Payroll systems

HRIS platforms

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded GM of Human Resources to lead and drive our people strategy across the organisation.

This leadership role will be responsible for shaping and delivering HR initiatives that support business growth, strengthen organisational capability and foster a high-performing, engaged and inclusive workplace culture. Reporting to the CEO, you will act as a trusted advisor on all people-related matters, ensuring the organisation attracts, develops and retains exceptional talent while maintaining compliance and best-practice HR standards.

About the Role

As GM of Human Resources, you will provide strategic leadership across all aspects of the HR function, including workforce planning, talent management, employee engagement, organisational development, remuneration, compliance and HR operations.

Key responsibilities include:

Developing and implementing HR strategies aligned with organisational objectives

Partnering with senior leaders to provide expert advice on people, culture and workforce planning

Driving employee engagement, retention and organisational performance initiatives

Leading talent acquisition, succession planning and leadership development programs

Overseeing performance management frameworks and capability development initiatives

Ensuring compliance with employment legislation, workplace regulations and HR best practice

Managing employee relations matters and fostering a positive workplace culture

Overseeing HR operations, payroll processes, employee records and HR systems

Managing compensation, benefits and employee programs, including novated lease arrangements

Developing and maintaining HR policies, procedures and governance frameworks

Using HR analytics and metrics to support business decisions and continuous improvement

Leading change management and organisational development initiatives

About You

You are a seasoned HR leader with a strong commercial mindset, exceptional stakeholder management skills and a genuine passion for creating high-performing workplaces.

To be successful in this role, you will possess:

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or a related discipline

Minimum 10 years' HR experience, including at least 5 years in a senior HR leadership role

Demonstrated success developing and implementing people strategies that support business outcomes

Strong knowledge of Australian employment legislation, compliance requirements and HR best practice

Proven experience in talent acquisition, leadership development and succession planning

Strong change management and organisational development capability

Experience managing complex employee relations matters

Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills

Strong analytical and decision-making abilities, with experience using HR metrics to drive improvement

Experience with HRIS platforms and payroll systems

What You'll Bring

Strategic thinking and business acumen

Strong leadership and people management capability

Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing skills

A collaborative and inclusive leadership style

High levels of integrity, professionalism and sound judgement

Passion for fostering positive workplace culture and employee experience

Commitment to continuous improvement and innovation within the HR function

Why Join Us?

This is an outstanding opportunity for an accomplished HR professional to make a significant impact within a growing organisation. You will have the opportunity to shape culture, influence strategic direction and build a people-first environment that supports long-term business success.

If you are an experienced senior HR leader looking for your next challenge, we'd love to hear from you.