HR Manager

McGrathNicol; Sydney; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 weeks parental leave

Flexible work options

Training and development opportunities

Job summary

McGrathNicol in Sydney is seeking an experienced HR generalist to join the People Team on a 12-month fixed-term contract. Reporting to the Head of Talent and Performance, this role offers broad exposure across employee relations, performance, reward and talent initiatives within a leading professional services firm.

You will partner with Partners and managers across six Australian offices, delivering practical HR advice, coaching junior team members, and supporting day-to-day operations while

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, Psychology or related field.
• Strong HR generalist and business partnering experience.
• Experience with employee relations and performance matters for senior stakeholders.
• Experience with remuneration and reward processes.
• Experience using HRIS data to drive insights.

Responsibilities

• Provide practical, commercially-focused HR advice across employee relations and performance.
• Support day-to-day HR operations and the annual People calendar.
• Coach and support junior People Team members.
• Partner with Partners and managers across Australian offices on HR initiatives.
• Collaborate on talent, recruitment and workforce initiatives aligned with the People strategy.

Skills

HR generalist

Business partnering

Stakeholder management

Performance management

Remuneration and reward

HRIS platforms

People data insights

Collegial collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business/Psychology

Tools

HRIS platforms

Job description

Application Closing Date: 23 November 2026

McGrathNicol is a specialist Advisory and Restructuring firm, helping businesses improve performance, manage risk, and achieve stability and growth. Guided by our values of Understanding, Commitment, and Impact, we are high-performing, client-focused, and proud of our collegiate culture. Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and we are committed to attracting and retaining exceptional talent.

Division: Practice Services

Department: HR

Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract

Application Closing Date: 23 November 2026

McGrathNicol is a specialist Advisory and Restructuring firm, helping businesses improve performance, manage risk, and achieve stability and growth. Guided by our values of Understanding, Commitment, and Impact, we are high-performing, client-focused, and proud of our collegiate culture. Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and we are committed to attracting and retaining exceptional talent.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced HR generalist to join our Sydney-based People Team on a 12-month fixed-term contract, with the potential for the role to be extended or become permanent. Reporting to the Head of Talent and Performance, this is an excellent opportunity for a proactive and commercially minded HR professional to take on a broad and varied role within a leading professional services firm.

You will partner with our Partners and employees across our six Australian offices, providing practical advice and support across the employee lifecycle. With exposure to employee relations, performance and reward, talent management and broader people initiatives, this role would suit someone who enjoys combining hands-on HR delivery with trusted business partnering.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with Partners and Managers to provide practical and commercially focused advice across employee relations, performance management, workplace policies, talent management, remuneration and broader people matters.
• Manage employee relations matters, providing considered and timely advice while ensuring appropriate processes and documentation are followed.
• Support the effective delivery of day-to-day HR operations and key activities across the annual People calendar.
• Provide guidance, coaching and support to junior members of the People Team.
• Work collaboratively with the broader People Team on talent, recruitment and employee initiatives and projects aligned with the firm's people strategy.
• Build trusted relationships with stakeholders across our Australian offices, providing responsive and pragmatic HR support.

About You

• A tertiary qualification in Human Resources, Business, Psychology or a related discipline.
• Strong HR generalist and business partnering experience, ideally gained within professional services or a similarly fast-paced corporate environment.
• Demonstrated experience independently managing employee relations and performance matters and providing advice to senior stakeholders.
• Experience supporting performance, remuneration and reward processes.
• Experience using HRIS platforms and people data to generate insights and support decision-making.
• Strong relationship-building and influencing skills, with the confidence to work effectively with senior stakeholders.
• Sound commercial judgement and the ability to provide practical, balanced and solutions-focused HR advice.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• A collaborative, proactive and hands-on approach, with a willingness to contribute across the broader People function.

Why Join Us

At McGrathNicol, you’ll thrive in a dynamic and empowering environment where your expertise drives real impact in a social and inclusive team environment. We support flexible ways of working and focus on outcomes, collaboration and client service. We offer a competitive annual bonus program, alongside exceptional training and career development opportunities. Our inclusive culture fosters growth through personalised mentorship. You’ll also benefit from comprehensive support such as 26 weeks parental leave, additional leave options, employee assistance, health and wellbeing programs, and opportunities for social and community engagement. Join us and be part of a team that values your contributions and supports your success.