Senior Human Resources Advisor - Adelaide

McConnell Dowell Australia; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

McConnell Dowell Australia is seeking a Senior Human Resources Advisor based in Adelaide on a 12‑month fixed-term contract to cover maternity leave. You will provide hands‑on HR leadership across projects, mobilising and redeploying workforce in partnership with Recruitment.

Reporting to Regional HR Manager and Project Managers, you will work with leaders and the HR team to deliver practical people outcomes and opportunities for future career growth within the McConnell Dowell Group.

Qualifications

• This role requires a tertiary qualification in Human Resources, Business or related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years' generalist HR experience, preferably in project-based environments such as construction or resources.
• Strong employee relations capability and the ability to influence stakeholders.
• Proven problem solving and judgement to align HR solutions with business needs.
• Organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide high‑level HR advice and support to project leaders and employees, aligning with Global Operating Standards.
• Lead workforce planning including mobilisation, demobilisation and redeployment in partnership with Recruitment.
• Escalate complex HR matters and deliver practical, commercially focused solutions.
• Support performance management, employee engagement and broader HR initiatives across projects.
• Partner with project leaders to identify and mitigate people risks and support HRIS and inclusion programs.

Skills

HR Generalist

Workforce planning

Employee relations

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Education

HR/Business degree

Tools

HRIS

Job description

Based in our Adelaide office, this is an exciting opportunity to join McConnell Dowell as Senior Human Resources Advisor on a 12-month fixed-term contract, covering maternity leave.

Reporting to the Regional HR Manager and Project Managers, this role provides the opportunity to take ownership of HR matters across projects, while being supported by the broader McConnell Dowell Human Resources team.

As Senior Human Resources Advisor, you will support projects throughout their lifecycle, providing hands‑on HR leadership from mobilisation and workforce planning through to demobilisation and redeployment. The role offers broad exposure across the business, the opportunity to work closely with senior operational leaders and potential future career opportunities within the wider McConnell Dowell Group.

Our Adelaide office is a great place to work, with a well-appointed workspace, a café-quality coffee machine! and a convenient CBD location just a short walk from Rundle Mall and easily accessible by public transport.

This is a busy and rewarding role where you will work closely with project leadership, employees, the broader HR team and key stakeholders to deliver practical people outcomes.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Provide high-level HR advice and support to project leaders and employees, ensuring alignment with McConnell Dowell’s Global Operating Standards.
• Lead workforce planning, including mobilisation, demobilisation, redeployment and project resourcing in partnership with Recruitment.
• Act as a key escalation point for complex HR matters, employee relations, grievances and workplace issues, delivering practical, commercially focused solutions.
• Support performance management, employee engagement and broader people initiatives to strengthen workforce capability and effectiveness.
• Partner with project leaders to identify and mitigate people risks, while leading and supporting business-wide HR initiatives, including HRIS implementation and inclusion programs.

About you

You will be an experienced HR generalist who is comfortable operating in a fast-paced project environment and working closely with operational leaders.

• Tertiary qualifications in Human Resources, Business or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 5 years' generalist HR experience, with experience in construction, infrastructure, resources or another project-based environment highly regarded.
• Sound employee relations capability.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to solve problems, exercise judgement and develop practical solutions aligned with business needs.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• A hands-on, collaborative approach and the confidence to work autonomously while remaining connected to the broader HR team.

About Us

McConnell Dowell – Creative Construction

Our purpose isProviding a Better Life.We do that through delivering projects that connect, support and sustain communities, and through providing career opportunities that challenge, reward and grow our people.

From remote major resources and energy projects to city-shaping transport and water infrastructure, we have constructed thousands of high-quality, complex projects for our customers and communities over more than 60 years, in Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia.

Our purpose isProviding a Better Life.We do that through delivering projects that connect, support and sustain communities, and through providing career opportunities that challenge, reward and grow our people.

From remote major resources and energy projects to city-shaping transport and water infrastructure, we have constructed thousands of high-quality, complex projects for our customers and communities over more than 60 years, in Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia.

So, join us, be you, and help us create better together.

We are an equal opportunity employer. People of all ages, abilities, sexual orientation, gender identities & cultures including Aboriginal, and Torres Strait Islanders are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please note all successful applicants must hold valid work rights for Australia and pass a satisfactory pre-employment medical which includes drug and alcohol checks.

This role is being sourced through McConnell Dowell directly and not accepting applications via external recruitment agencies.