HR Manager

Cera Stribley; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Cera Stribley is seeking a Melbourne-based HR Manager to support a large studio across two offices (Brisbane and Melbourne). You will champion a positive, high-performing, people-focused culture within the practice, overseeing recruitment, onboarding, performance processes and HR compliance.

The ideal candidate has not less than 5 years’ experience in a similar role, empathy, strong organisation, and discretion, with an interest in shaping policies and wellbeing initiatives alongside operations

Qualifications

• Relevant HR qualifications and not less than 5 years’ experience in a similar role.
• Experience in a creative, design, or professional services environment is preferred.
• Ability to implement and improve HR systems and processes.

Responsibilities

• Support managers with performance management, feedback cycles and quarterly reviews.
• Cultivate an inclusive, positive studio culture and wellbeing initiatives.
• Administer HR policies and ensure compliance with employment legislation.
• Coordinate training and professional learning opportunities.
• Maintain HR systems and confidential employee records.
• Lead end-to-end recruitment and onboarding for new staff.
• Partner with Studio Manager for induction sessions and policy updates.

Skills

Strong interpersonal and communication

Discretion and empathy

Experience with emerging leaders

HR practices, legislation, compliance

Organisational skills

Recruitment & employee lifecycle

Confidentiality

People-focused & collaborative

Experience using AI tools

Job description

Founded in 2013 by architects Domenic Cerantonio and Chris Stribley, Cera Stribley is an architecture and interior design practice with 115 people across Melbourne and Brisbane.

We work across multi-residential, commercial, hospitality and private residential projects, with a shared belief in the value great design can bring to cities, communities and clients.

Our Practice

Founded in 2013 by architects Domenic Cerantonio and Chris Stribley, Cera Stribley is an architecture and interior design practice with 115 people across Melbourne and Brisbane.

We work across multi-residential, commercial, hospitality and private residential projects, with a shared belief in the value great design can bring to cities, communities and clients.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

How we work

• Flexible working hours with seven Working Windows — choose a start time between 7:30am and 10:30am and finish between 4pm and 7pm, giving you more flexibility around your day

• Wellness benefits including weekly yoga and HIIT, professional massages, breathwork sessions, mental health support, EAP, and 20% off a Richmond membership at The Commons

• Structured career development with dedicated support for professional and personal growth

Who we are

• Vibrant, collaborative culture with mentorship, knowledge sharing and regular celebrations of team wins

• Gender-balanced team with 52% women and 48% men

• Social impact opportunities including volunteering and fundraising, with a commitment to expanding how we give back to our community

• Regular social events with plenty of opportunities to connect beyond the day-to-day

• Dog-friendly office with a full roster of pups throughout the week

• Richmond location right next to the train station

• Certified Carbon Neutral and committed to continually reducing the environmental impact of our work

The Opportunity in a Nutshell

We are on the hunt for a Melbourne based HR Manager who can support a large team alongside the rest of the business support team. Covering bases in two offices (Brisbane and Melbourne) they will be championing positive, high-performing, and people-focused culture within the practice.

This role oversees recruitment, onboarding, performance processes, and HR compliance with an evolving legislation landscape, ensuring the team feels supported and engaged. The ideal candidate is empathetic, organised, and confident managing sensitive information with professionalism and discretion.

Relevant HR qualifications and not less than 5 years’ experience in a similar role are a must, while similar industry experience would be advantageous, it isn’t critical. An enthusiasm for implementing and improving systems and processes working closely with operations team there is an opportunity to shape a niche and develop and administer policy that underpins the team's culture.

Responsibilities include

• Support managers with performance management processes, feedback cycles, and quarterly development reviews

• Support leadership in cultivating an inclusive, positive, and engaged studio culture

• Administer, update and communicate HR policies, ensuring compliance with employment legislation

• Coordinate training and development initiatives, including professional learning

• Maintain HR systems and databases, ensuring employee information is current and confidential

• Act as a trusted point of contact for HR-related questions and employee wellbeing concerns

• Champion wellbeing committee initiatives and events

• Organise and facilitate HR meetings as required including disciplinary discussions, performance reviews and exit interviews

• Manage end-to-end recruitment, including advertising, candidate screening, interviews, reference checks, and contract preparation.

• Utilise proactive methods of recruitment outreach and implement a recruitment strategy in collaboration with leadership team.

• Oversee onboarding and induction for new team members, maintaining accurate employee records.

• Collaborating with the Studio Manager to run induction sessions, for new starters.

Attributes/Skills necessary:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills

• A high level of discretion and empathy

• Proven experience working with emerging leaders

• Sound understanding of HR practices, legislation, and compliance requirements.

• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail

• Demonstrated experience in recruitment and employee lifecycle management

• Ability to build trust and maintain confidentiality at all times

• Proactive and people-focused with a collaborative mindset

• Demonstrated experience using AI tools

• Experience working within a creative, design, or professional services environment (preferred but not required)