Senior People Partner - Sydney

Merlin; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working model

Free access to attractions

Volunteer days

Diversity & Inclusion initiatives

Career development opportunities

Being part of a fun, global brand

Job summary

Merlin Entertainments in Sydney is seeking a Senior People Partner to work with the General Manager and Leadership Team, delivering a people agenda that drives performance and growth across the cluster. You will influence decisions on design, talent, and employee relations to support exceptional guest experiences.

The role oversees talent acquisition, capability development, and change initiatives while ensuring compliance with employment law and Merlin policies.

Qualifications

• HR professional with experience in a fast-paced attractions or tourism environment.
• Strategic partner capable of influencing senior leadership and enabling change.
• Strong advisory skills on organisational design, workforce planning and culture.

Responsibilities

• Partner with General Manager and Leadership Team to deliver a people agenda.
• Lead employee relations, investigations, performance, and grievances.
• Guide restructures, operating model redesign and business change initiatives.
• Oversee talent acquisition and capability development across the Sydney Cluster.
• Analyse people data and translate insights into actions.
• Ensure compliance with employment legislation and Merlin policies.

Skills

People partner

HR strategy

Employee relations

Change management

Data analytics

Tools

HRIS

Workday

Job description

What you'll bring to the team

Are you a HR professional with a love of fun? Would you like to work for one of the leading global companies in visitor entertainment?

We currently have a fantastic opportunity for a full-time Senior People Partner to join our Sydney attractions at Merlin Entertainments, the company behind SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, Wildlife Zoo and much more!

About the Role

Based in Sydney and reporting to the Head of People ANZ, you’ll partner with the General Manager and Leadership Team to deliver a people agenda that drives commercial performance, operational excellence and sustainable organisational growth.

As a trusted and commercially focused People Partner, you’ll provide strategic advice across organisational design, workforce planning, talent, leadership capability, employee relations, change and culture. You’ll challenge thinking, influence decision-making and ensure people strategies are aligned to business priorities.

A key focus of the role will be supporting organisational transformation, including restructures, operating model redesign, leadership effectiveness and wider business change initiatives, while ensuring compliance with employment legislation and Merlin policies.

You’ll also provide strategic oversight of talent acquisition and capability development across the Sydney Cluster, working closely with our Centres of Excellence to ensure leaders have the talent, capability and organisational support needed to deliver exceptional guest experiences.

Your duties include but are not limited to:

• Translating commercial priorities into people strategies that improve organisational capability, productivity and business performance.
• Leading complex employee relations matters including investigations, disciplinary matters, grievances and performance management.
• Providing expert advice on restructures, consultation processes, redeployment and redundancy.
• Partnering with leaders on industrial relations matters including Enterprise Agreements and union consultation where applicable.
• Working with all levels of management to provide a professional, consistent and commercial approach to the management of employee relations matters
• Leading and/or influencing decision making in line with policies, legislation and the Merlin Values
• Analysing people data and identifying and implementing initiatives
• Providing change management plans and support
• Supporting other parts of the People covering Return-to-Work requirements, query management, reporting and insights and data

About You

To shine in this role, you will ideally have strong communication and organisation skills and experience in a HR team within a fast-paced environment. A passion for working in the tourism/attraction industry is essential.

You will also have:

• Background in operational HR, any discipline considered
• Passion for talent and development processes
• Proven track record of building strong relationships and influencing key business decisions
• Skills in project and change management
• Excellent analytical ability and attention to detail
• Experience of data management and ability to interpret data to present insights to stakeholders
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment

Benefits

• Corporate benefits including free access to all our attractions worldwide
• Domestic and global opportunities to develop and progress your skills and career in tourism and attractions
• Additional Leave (including birthday and wellbeing) and 3 volunteer days to give back to a social cause you care about
• Hybrid working model and flexible working policy
• Opportunity to be involved with our Diversity & Inclusion initiatives, including our Reconciliation Action Plan
• Being part of a business built on fun

About Us

Merlin Entertainments is the company behind iconic brands like SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, and Peppa Pig World of Play. We operate in over 140 attractions across 25 countries, delivering memorable experiences to 54 million+ visitors a year.

We’re the leading operator of visitor attractions in Australia and New Zealand, with 10 attractions, including SEA LIFE, WILDLIFE, Madame Tussauds, amongst others.

Merlin Entertainments is driven by a strong social responsibility with the vision to create a world where the global community respects, conserves, and sustainably manages our precious aquatic habitats, wildlife, and natural resources. We strive to achieve this goal through our 3 charities: Merlins Magic Wand, the SEA LIFE Trust, and the WILDLIFE Conservation Fund. So, if you are vibrant and passionate about delivering an amazing service within a great company and in a team who loves what we do – then we want to hear from you!

Merlin Entertainments strongly encourages application from all background, including people of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander decent.

Pay Range

Competitive