Senior People Partner

Legal Aid NSW; Sydney; On-site; AUD 154,000 - 178,000; Full time

Job summary

Legal Aid NSW seeks a Senior People Partner to support strategic priorities by partnering with senior leaders to build organisational capability and foster a positive workplace culture. You will advise on workforce matters with sound judgement and balance organisational needs with employee wellbeing.

The role requires influence across a geographically dispersed workforce, involvement in workforce planning and leadership development, and collaboration with the HR function to improve people

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in Human Resources, Industrial Relations or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Willingness to travel to regional and metropolitan offices as required.
• Experience in a unionised, public sector or similarly complex environment highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Executive Directors and senior leaders to provide strategic workforce and people advice aligned with organisational objectives.
• Coach and support leaders to manage performance, conduct, workplace change and employee relations matters.
• Lead and provide advice on complex and sensitive people matters balancing legal and organisational needs.
• Support workforce planning, succession planning and capability development initiatives.
• Collaborate with HR specialists to deliver integrated people solutions strengthening leadership capability and culture.
• Contribute to HR transformation and continuous improvement across people processes and service delivery.

Education

HR/IR degree

Job description

• Senior HR partnering role focused on judgement, influence and accountability
• Salary Range - $154,231.00 - $178,369.00 (plus super and entitlements)
• Ongoing full-time position, located in Haymarket

Company description:

Legal Aid NSW

Job description:

• Senior HR partnering role focused on judgement, influence and accountability

• Salary Range - $154,231.00 - $178,369.00 (plus super and entitlements)

• Ongoing full-time position, located in Haymarket

About Legal Aid NSW

We stand beside people when they need it most. At Legal Aid NSW, fairness isn't just a legal principle, it shapes everything we do - our culture, our services, our workplace and our decisions. Since 1979, Legal Aid NSW has provided legal advice, support and representation in criminal, family and civil law, helping people across NSW navigate hardship and complex legal issues. Our work is challenging, but deeply meaningful. In partnerships with LawAccess NSW, Community Legal Centres and the Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT, we are located throughout the state including our Central Sydney office, 25 regional offices, and satellite and outreach offices.

About the Role

As a Senior People Partner, you will play a critical role in supporting Legal Aid NSW's strategic priorities by partnering with senior leaders to build organisational capability, strengthen leadership accountability and foster a positive workplace culture. Acting as a trusted advisor, you will provide expert guidance on a broad range of workforce matters, helping leaders navigate complex people challenges with confidence, fairness and sound judgement. This role operates at both a strategic and operational level, requiring the ability to influence decision-making, manage risk, and develop practical solutions that balance organisational needs with employee wellbeing. You will work closely with executives and managers across a geographically dispersed workforce, supporting workforce planning, organisational change, employee relations and leadership development initiatives that contribute to sustainable service delivery. Working collaboratively across the HR function, you will help drive continuous improvement in people practices, systems and processes, while promoting inclusive, respectful and culturally safe workplaces.

Key responsibilities include:

• Partner with Executive Directors, senior leaders and managers to provide strategic workforce and people advice aligned with organisational objectives.
• Coach and support leaders to confidently manage performance, conduct, workplace change and employee relations matters.
• Lead and provide advice on complex and sensitive people matters, balancing legal, operational, cultural and employee considerations.
• Support workforce planning, succession planning and capability development initiatives to meet current and future organisational needs.
• Collaborate with HR specialists to deliver integrated people solutions that strengthen leadership capability, workforce outcomes and organisational culture.
• Contribute to HR transformation and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance people processes, systems, service delivery and the employee experience.

About You

You are an experienced HR professional who builds trusted relationships and works effectively with senior leaders to navigate complex people and workforce challenges. You bring sound judgement, resilience and a practical approach, providing advice that balances organisational outcomes with fairness, accountability and care. You thrive in complex environments, remaining calm and solutions-focused when managing sensitive matters. With a strong people partnering background, you enjoy coaching and enabling leaders to make confident decisions, build capability and foster respectful, inclusive and high-performing workplaces. Experience in a unionised, public sector or similarly complex environment will be highly regarded.

You Belong Here

Here, every role has purpose. Whether you're delivering frontline legal services or strengthening our organisation from behind the scenes, you'll help create fairer outcomes for the people across NSW. We're building a workplace where every culture, identity, ability and voice are included and valued. We welcome Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with visible and invisible disability, culturally diverse communities, and LGBTQI+ communities so you can connect and flourish at every stage of career. You will be part of a diverse and inclusive organisation, working alongside like-minded and values driven people dedicated to justice, community impact, and delivering exceptional support and service through cross collaboration.

Benefits of working at Legal Aid NSW

As an employee of Legal Aid NSW, you will have access to and enjoy a variety of support and benefits so you can thrive professionally and personally. You'll love our: Flexible Working - we are a Flex Ready certified and Carers and Employers accredited organisation. We are leading the way in offering a variety of flexible working options to uniquely support your unique work life balance. Professional Growth - as the largest law firm in NSW we offer a variety of opportunities to enhance your career at every stage, through regional graduate programs, Practical Legal Training and work placements, mentoring, training, and secondment opportunities. Work Health, Safety and Wellbeing - with dedicated programs, training, resources, and respectful work practices, our Wellbeing Framework ensures your physical, mental and psychosocial wellbeing matters, so you feel supported, safe and holistically well.

Essential Requirements

• Hold Australian or NZ citizenship, Australian Permanent Residency
• Undertake relevant pre-employment checks such as Criminal Record Check and Conduct Service Check
• Tertiary qualifications in Human Resources, Industrial Relations or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Willingness to travel to regional and metropolitan offices as required

Closing Date: Wednesday, 21 October at 11:59pm

We're here to help

Legal Aid NSW is committed to a recruitment process that is inclusive and barrier free.

For recruitment enquiries, accessibility support and recruitment adjustments, please contact Jayne Nguyen at ******@legalaid.nsw.gov.au or call the Talent Acquisition team on 02 9134 9***.

To find out more about adjustments in NSW Government, visit Adjustments for individual needs | NSW Government.

For role specific enquiries, contact Deanna Ireland, Chief People Officer at **************@legalaid.nsw.gov.au.

Aboriginal candidates are encouraged to connect with the Legal Aid NSW Aboriginal Services Branch for a yarn.

Head to our Careers Page to discover more about working at Legal Aid NSW, our recruitment process, and how you can champion fairness, empower communities and build your career.

And connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.