Senior HR Advisor

Peoplecorp; North Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Peoplecorp is seeking a hands-on HR Advisor/Generalist for a 12-month fixed-term contract in Sydney. You will advise on the employee lifecycle, coach managers, interpret policies and manage payroll support across multiple campuses.

Flexibility to travel between campuses and a 1-day-per-week from home are required. You will work with SuccessFactors or similar HRIS, support payroll compliance and contribute to engagement and policy projects.

Qualifications

• Experience as HR Advisor/Generalist or similar advisory role.
• Payroll experience essential, including awards, leave administration and payroll compliance.
• Sound knowledge of Australian employment law and Fair Work requirements.
• Ability to apply Enterprise Agreements, contracts and policies.
• Exposure to employee relations matters such as performance management and probation reviews is valued.

Responsibilities

• Back up payroll function during peak periods, system upgrades and team leave.
• Respond to first-level payroll enquiries and maintain employee data.
• Process employment variations and HR data changes.
• Use HRIS and workforce data to improve reporting and processes.
• Contribute to projects across engagement, policy and continuous improvement.

Skills

HR advisory

Payroll management

Employee relations

Policy interpretation

Manager coaching

Data reporting

Education

Degree in HR/Business

Tools

HRIS (SuccessFactors)

Microsoft Excel

Job description

THE ORGANISATION

Our client is a well-established education group running a number of schools and early learning services across Sydney, and part of a global network. They’re in a period of growth and transformation, with a head office HR team focused on building strong people foundations across their campuses.

THE ROLE

Reporting to the Senior HR Manager, this is a hands-on generalist role on a 12-month fixed-term contract, starting late January 2027. Sitting between the HR Coordinator and the Senior HR Manager, you’ll be a trusted adviser to employees in the education sector. You’ll provide practical guidance across the employee lifecycle, from recruitment and onboarding through to performance and transitions. You’ll coach managers on people matters, interpret Enterprise Agreement provisions and policies, and prepare contracts, letters and HR documentation.

A key part of the role is backing up the payroll function during peak periods, system upgrades and team leave. That includes responding to first-level payroll enquiries, maintaining employee data and processing employment variations. You’ll also use HRIS and workforce data to improve reporting and processes, and contribute to projects across engagement, policy and continuous improvement.

The role works 4 days across multiple sites and 1 day from home.

THE CRITERIA

To be successful in this role, you’ll bring experience as an HR Advisor, HR Generalist or in a similar advisory role. Payroll experience is essential, including an understanding of awards, leave administration and payroll compliance, along with the attention to detail to reconcile data and resolve discrepancies. You’ll have a sound knowledge of Australian employment legislation and Fair Work requirements, and confidence applying Enterprise Agreements, contracts and policies. Exposure to employee relations matters such as performance management and probation reviews is valued. You’ll be tech-savvy with strong HRIS capability, and SuccessFactors or similar HRIS experience is highly regarded. Experience in education is highly regarded but not essential. A degree in HR, Business or a related discipline is preferred. A valid Working with Children Check is required, along with flexibility to travel between campuses. Most importantly, you’ll be hands-on, approachable and keen to learn.

ABOUT DEPARTMENTAL CULTURE & INCLUSION

At Peoplecorp, we are dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion in every recruitment process.

We believe that a rich variety of perspectives drives innovation and success.

We actively seek candidates from all backgrounds and encourage individuals of all races, genders, abilities, and experiences to apply.