HR Manager

Capability HR; Sydney; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Capability HR is seeking an experienced HR Manager to lead the people function across a diverse workforce spanning residential construction, landscape architecture, landscape building, garden maintenance and joinery operations. This hands-on role blends delivery with strategic influence and collaborates with senior leaders to shape workforce planning while consolidating entities and enhancing governance.

You will coach managers, manage recruitment across trades and shared services, and build

Qualifications

• Experience as an HR generalist in complex environments such as construction, manufacturing or trades.
• Proven ability to influence senior leaders and drive governance.
• Strong recruitment and employee relations capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead HR operations across multiple business units.
• Coach managers and directors through performance, behaviour and ER matters.
• Manage recruitment across trades, project managers and shared services.
• Partner with senior leaders on workforce planning and future pipeline.
• Support consolidation of entities and introduction of governance.
• Build consistency across contracts, onboarding, compliance and processes.
• Work closely with operations and finance on structural improvements.
• Lead and develop the HR Advisor/Coordinator.
• Lift leadership capability across a diverse workforce.
• Reduce reliance on sole traders and strengthen direct labour practices.

Skills

HR generalist

Recruitment

ER

Leadership coaching

Change management

Job description

A privately-owned, design-focused construction group is seeking an experienced HR Manager to lead the people function across a diverse workforce spanning high-end residential construction, landscape architecture, landscape building, garden maintenance and specialist joinery operations.

The group operates as a collection of small businesses that function as one integrated organisation. With ~190 employees (growing to ~210), the environment is practical, quality-driven and down-to-earth - with a mix of trades, project managers, designers and shared services.

This is a pivotal moment for the business. The HR function has been heavily operational due to team gaps and high recruitment volume. The owners now want HR to play a more proactive role in workforce planning, leadership support and organisational structure.

The Opportunity

This role suits someone who enjoys the blend: hands-on HR delivery with genuine strategic influence. You'll work closely with senior leaders, operations and finance to shape how the organisation evolves, consolidate entities, and introduce stronger governance.

You'll be the person who brings clarity, consistency and maturity to HR - without unnecessary corporate layers.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead HR operations across multiple business units
• Coach managers and directors through performance, behaviour and ER matters
• Manage recruitment across trades, project managers and shared services
• Partner with senior leaders on workforce planning and future pipeline
• Support consolidation of entities and introduction of governance
• Build consistency across contracts, onboarding, compliance and processes
• Work closely with operations and finance on structural improvements
• Lead and develop the HR Advisor/Coordinator
• Lift leadership capability across a diverse workforce
• Reduce reliance on sole traders and strengthen direct labour practices

The Environment

• ~75% trades / site-based workforce
• ~25% project managers, designers, architects and shared services
• Multiple awards (construction, joinery, landscape) but generally paid above award
• Directors with autonomy and varied people capability
• A culture that values craftsmanship, design, practicality and straightforward communication
• A structure that is evolving and will benefit from someone who can bring cohesion and direction

Who You Are

You're a strong HR generalist who is comfortable in construction, trades, manufacturing or similar environments. You know how to build trust with senior leaders, influence without ego, and bring structure to a business that is growing quickly.

You're polished enough to operate at senior level, but grounded enough to work effectively with trades and site-based teams.

Commercial, pragmatic, emotionally intelligent. Assertive but diplomatic. Structured but not corporate.

What You Bring

• HR generalist capability across recruitment, ER, performance, awards and coaching
• Experience supporting blue-collar or trade-heavy workforces
• Ability to influence senior leaders with different styles
• Comfort working across multiple entities or complex structures
• Strong judgement and relationship-building skills
• Ability to balance operational load with strategic uplift