Senior HR Business Partner

Charter Diligence; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 113,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Charter Diligence is recruiting for a Senior People Partner (Clerk Grade 9/10) within a central NSW Government agency. The role blends strategic HR partnering with hands-on advisory work, including secondments, employment conditions and return-to-work coordination. Strong award interpretation and public sector knowledge are essential.

The position is based in Sydney CBD with a hybrid arrangement (approx. 3 office days per week) and a daily rate of 615–675 AUD plus super.

Qualifications

• Approximately 3-5 years of relevant experience across HR advisory, employee relations, industrial relations or HR business partnering functions.
• Demonstrated NSW/ Australian public sector experience with government employment frameworks.
• Sound knowledge of Crown Employees Awards and NSW public sector industrial instruments.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist advice to senior executives, managers and employees on industrial relations, employee relations, employment conditions and workforce policies.
• Interpret and apply NSW Government industrial awards and government sector employment legislation.
• Lead HR improvement initiatives, policy reviews and workforce projects to strengthen organisational effectiveness and compliance.
• Manage complex employee matters, including grievances, performance concerns, workplace investigations and disciplinary processes.
• Coach and mentor junior People Partners and HR colleagues to ensure consistent advice and effective case management.

Skills

HR advisory

Employee relations

Industrial relations

Public sector knowledge

Award interpretation

Stakeholder engagement

Policy development

Education

HR/IR degree

Job description

Our client is a central NSW Government agency operating at the heart of the state's public administration. Supporting whole-of-government priorities, the organisation works closely with senior public sector leaders to strengthen workforce capability, coordinate strategic initiatives and deliver outcomes that benefit communities across New South Wales.

Our Client

Our client is a central NSW Government agency operating at the heart of the state's public administration. Supporting whole-of-government priorities, the organisation works closely with senior public sector leaders to strengthen workforce capability, coordinate strategic initiatives and deliver outcomes that benefit communities across New South Wales.

Why Contract With Us

At Charter Diligence, we go beyond just placement - we support our contractors with practical benefits that reflect real-life needs. All contractors engaged through us have access to early cash advances on approved timesheets, offering flexibility in cases of unforeseen expenses or cash flow challenges. Unlike traditional labour hire providers, we understand that life doesn’t always align with a pay cycle - and we’re here to help when it matters most. Well, ask around if they’re already a Charter Diligence Contractor - chances are, they’re already benefiting from the support we provide.

About The Role

We are seeking an experienced Senior People Partner (Clerk Grade 9/10) to join a high-performing People and Culture function within a central NSW Government agency.

This position is ideally suited to an established HR professional with strong employee relations and industrial relations expertise, particularly in interpreting NSW public sector awards, employment conditions and government sector legislation.

Working closely with senior executives and the broader HR team, you will provide authoritative advice on complex workforce matters, lead people-related projects and guide junior colleagues in delivering consistent, compliant HR services.

The role combines strategic HR partnering with hands‑on employee advisory responsibilities, including secondments, employment conditions, workplace matters and return-to-work coordination. This is not a recruitment-focused position. Strong award interpretation, public sector employment knowledge and the confidence to advise senior stakeholders are the key priorities.

Contract Details

• Position: Senior People Partner (Grade 9/10)
• Daily Rate: $615-$675 + super
• Location: Sydney CBD, NSW
• Working Arrangement: Hybrid, approximately 3 office days per week, with flexibility negotiable
• Start Date: As soon as possible
• Duration: Until 31 March 2027
• Working Hours: 40 hours per week

Key Responsibilities

• Provide specialist advice to senior executives, managers and employees on industrial relations, employee relations, employment conditions and workforce policies.
• Interpret and apply NSW Government industrial awards, particularly Crown Employees Awards, and relevant government sector employment legislation.
• Lead HR improvement initiatives, policy reviews and workforce projects to strengthen organisational effectiveness and compliance.
• Manage complex employee matters, including grievances, performance concerns, workplace investigations and disciplinary processes.
• Coach and mentor junior People Partners and HR colleagues, ensuring consistent advice and effective case management.
• Coordinate employee secondments, temporary assignments and other workforce mobility arrangements across government agencies.
• Oversee employee advisory enquiries, assess escalated matters and provide practical, evidence‑based recommendations.
• Support workers compensation matters, rehabilitation planning and return-to-work coordination in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
• Liaise with government shared services teams to resolve employment transactions, personnel administration issues and service delivery concerns.
• Partner with executives and business leaders to identify workforce risks, address capability gaps and support organisational change.
• Provide guidance on job classification, position establishment, role evaluation and workforce structure matters.
• Monitor changes to employment legislation, industrial instruments and public sector policies, advising stakeholders on operational implications.
• Prepare executive briefs, formal correspondence, employment documentation, reports and recommendations on sensitive workforce matters.
• Collaborate with internal HR specialists, industrial relations advisers and external service providers to resolve complex employment issues.
• Develop practical guidance materials, deliver knowledge‑sharing sessions and improve managers' understanding of HR procedures.
• Maintain accurate case records, protect confidential employee information and identify opportunities to improve HR service delivery.

About You

We are looking for a confident HR practitioner who can interpret complex employment requirements, provide sound advice independently and build credibility with senior government stakeholders.

Essential Requirements

• Approximately 3-5 years of relevant experience across HR advisory, employee relations, industrial relations or HR business partnering functions.
• Demonstrated NSW Government or broader Australian public sector experience, with a strong understanding of government employment frameworks.
• Sound working knowledge of Crown Employees Awards, NSW public sector industrial instruments and employment conditions.
• Ability to interpret employment legislation, awards, policies and agreements and translate requirements into practical advice.
• Proven experience advising senior managers, executive stakeholders and employees on sensitive or complex workforce matters.
• Experience handling employee relations cases, employment conditions, workplace grievances and performance management matters.
• Ability to guide and mentor junior HR professionals while maintaining high standards of accuracy and service delivery.
• Strong written communication skills, including preparing professional advice, correspondence, briefs and reports.
• Excellent judgement, stakeholder engagement, problem‑solving and negotiation skills.
• Tertiary qualifications in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Employment Relations or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant professional experience.
• Valid Australian working rights, including Australian citizenship, permanent residency or a long-term visa permitting employment in Australia. Employer sponsorship is not available.

Highly Desirable

• Direct experience applying NSW Crown Employees Awards and the Government Sector Employment Act 2013 and associated regulatory requirements.
• Exposure to government sector secondments, temporary assignments and cross‑agency workforce mobility processes.
• Experience coordinating workers compensation and return-to-work activities.
• Familiarity with NSW public sector job evaluation, position classification and establishment management.
• Experience supporting HR policy development, organisational change and workforce planning initiatives.
• Working knowledge of government shared services arrangements and HR information systems.
• AHRI membership or relevant professional development in employment relations or industrial relations.