People & Culture Manager

Shape the people agenda of a purpose-driven organisation

Yarra Ranges Kindergartens (YRK) is a not-for-profit Early Years Manager operating 22 community-based kindergartens across the Yarra Ranges. Our approximately 135 employees support children and families through high-quality, inclusive early education.

We are looking for an experienced People & Culture Manager to lead YRK's organisation-wide people function during a significant period of cultural change and sector reform. Reporting directly to the CEO and leading a team of two, you will have genuine influence over workforce strategy, organisational capability, employment risk and the way our people experience YRK.

This is a broad, hands-on leadership role. It will suit someone who can set direction, provide clear advice and build sustainable systems, while also stepping into complex employee and industrial relations matters when required.

About the role

Working closely with the CEO, Executive team, senior leaders and Board, you will lead the P&C function and help translate YRK's strategy into clear workforce priorities, practical people systems and accountable leadership practice.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Lead YRK's people and culture strategy, workforce planning, culture and capability priorities.

• Advise the CEO, Executive team, senior leaders and Board on organisational change, workforce matters, employment risk and emerging people issues.

• Lead complex employee and industrial relations matters, including performance, conduct, grievances, workplace investigations and disputes.

• Provide authoritative interpretation of enterprise agreements, modern awards, employment contracts and workplace legislation, including implementation of the VECTEA, and maintain constructive union and sector relationships.

• Coach leaders and oversee the employee lifecycle, workforce compliance, payroll governance, people reporting, P&C systems, people policy, psychosocial risk, WorkCover and return-to-work activity.

• Develop a capable, responsive and trusted P&C team that balances service delivery with strategic priorities.

About you

You are an experienced senior P&C generalist with strong judgement and particularly strong employee and industrial relations capability. You are credible with executives and frontline leaders, comfortable operating in a unionised and regulated environment, and able to turn complex requirements into clear decisions and practical action. You have experience leading a small professional team and hold a relevant qualification, or equivalent senior experience.

You will bring:

• Substantial senior P&C experience in a complex, multi-site, unionised or regulated organisation.

• Strong employee and industrial relations capability, including complex case management, workplace investigations and dispute resolution.

• Demonstrated ability to interpret enterprise agreements, modern awards and employment legislation and provide concise, decision-ready advice to executives and Boards.

• A practical record of leading organisational change, strengthening culture and improving leadership accountability while remaining willing to handle urgent operational casework.

Experience in early childhood, education, community services, government or another highly regulated sector will be valued, but is not essential.

Why join YRK?

• Reporting directly to the CEO, you will have genuine organisation-wide influence.

• A meaningful opportunity to shape YRK's organisation-wide culture and implementation of Strategy 2030.

• Purpose-driven work that supports better outcomes for children, families and local communities.

• $120,000-$130,000 plus superannuation, access to salary packaging, flexible work arrangements by agreement and an established P&C team to lead.

Employment requirements

Appointment is subject to a current Working with Children Check, a satisfactory National Police Check and a current driver's licence. YRK is committed to a child-safe, respectful and inclusive workplace and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds.

How to apply

Please submit your CV and a concise cover letter outlining your experience leading complex employee or industrial relations matters and an example of how you have influenced organisation-wide culture, workforce change or leadership practice.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and suitable candidates may be progressed without delay.