Senior Human Resources Manager

Samuels Donegan Pty Ltd; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 200,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

Samuels Donegan Pty Ltd seeks a senior HR leader to run the Australian HR function for a prestigious global law firm, partnering with Partners across Melbourne and Sydney. You’ll guide HR across workplace relations, performance, compensation and talent development while leading the local HR team.

You will advise senior stakeholders, balance strategic counsel with operational realities, and drive regional collaboration with APAC and global People teams to support the Australian business.

Qualifications

• Strategic and operational HR experience at a senior level
• Experience advising senior stakeholders through complex people matters
• Leadership coaching and development of HR professionals
• Strong judgement and credibility to navigate business and people matters
• Collaborative, pragmatic approach and comfort with ambiguity

Responsibilities

• Lead senior stakeholders across Australia on culture, engagement, talent development and workplace relations
• Manage employee relations in line with Australian legislation and best practice
• Oversee the annual performance evaluation process and identify talent gaps and progression needs
• Take a lead role in the annual remuneration review, market positioning and outcomes
• Lead, coach, and develop two direct reports to build capability within the HR team
• Oversee onboarding, offboarding and broader employee processes while collaborating with APAC and global colleagues

Job description

• Remuneration: 200,000 to 215,000 inc. super
• Type: 12-Month Fixed-Term Contract

Lead the Australian HR function for a prestigious global law firm, partnering with senior stakeholders across Melbourne and Sydney.

What's the brief?

You’ll be joining a leading global law firm with a significant international footprint and a highly connected regional and global People function.

As the senior HR lead for Australia, you’ll lead the HR function across the Melbourne and Sydney offices, partnering with Partners and senior business services stakeholders and working closely with People teams across APAC and globally

This is a broad, hands-on leadership role spanning workplace relations, performance, compensation, talent development and the employee lifecycle, alongside leadership of the local HR team.

Is This Your Perfect Match?

You’re an experienced senior HR professional who enjoys being close to the business and operating in an environment where relationships, judgement and credibility matter.

You’ll be comfortable advising senior stakeholders through complex people matters, coaching leaders and balancing strategic advice with the operational realities of a busy professional services environment.

You’ll also lead and develop an HR Manager and HR Advisor, providing coaching, feedback and direction while continuing to build capability across the team.

Where You’ll Make an Impact

Senior Business Partnering: Partner with senior stakeholders across Australia, providing advice across culture, engagement, talent development and workplace relations.

Workplace Relations: Lead and advise on employee relations matters, ensuring processes and outcomes align with Australian legislative requirements.

Performance & Talent: Lead the annual performance evaluation process and support leaders to identify talent gaps, development opportunities and progression needs.

Reward & Remuneration: Play a lead role in the annual remuneration review, partnering with senior stakeholders on salary reviews, market positioning and remuneration outcomes.

Team Leadership: Lead, coach and develop two direct reports, building capability and supporting a collaborative and engaged team.

Employee Experience: Oversee key elements of the employee lifecycle, including onboarding, offboarding and broader people processes.

Regional Collaboration: Work closely with HR colleagues across APAC and globally, balancing global priorities with the needs of the Australian business.

Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities to strengthen processes, streamline ways of working and improve how HR supports the business.

What You Bring

You’re an accomplished HR professional with experience operating at a senior generalist level, combining strong technical HR capability with the confidence to influence senior stakeholders.

Experience: Strategic and operational HR experience at a senior level, ideally within legal, professional services or another high-touch client service environment.

Employee Relations: Strong Australian workplace relations capability and confidence managing complex and sensitive matters.

Stakeholder Management: Credibility with senior stakeholders and the ability to provide practical, solutions-focused advice while appropriately challenging and influencing.

Leadership: Experience coaching and developing HR professionals and building capability within a team.

Judgement: Strong judgement and confidence to independently navigate complex business and people matters, providing clear, practical and commercially considered advice.

Approach: Collaborative, pragmatic and comfortable with ambiguity, with a willingness to remain hands-on when required.