Senior HR Advisor

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced, proactive, and people-first Senior HR Advisor to lead the day-to-day delivery of our HR function.

Gardner Vaughan is a rapidly expanding building developer with 37 years of experience and a growing market presence in the SEQ. Our commitment to excellence extends beyond our projects – we value the communities we create, our relationships with stakeholders, and most importantly, our staff. 

This is a pivotal operational and strategic role responsible for translating our People strategy into practical outcomes that support our business performance and bring our purpose to life — “we care how you live”. Acting as our senior HR practitioner, you will foster a nurturing, dynamic environment where employees are empowered to grow both personally and professionally.

If you thrive on taking ownership, possess strong technical ER capabilities, and are passionate about building a high-performing culture, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact.

Key Responsibilities

• HR Leadership & Team Support: Lead, mentor, and direct the HR team.
• Employee Lifecycle & Recruitment: Support a seamless end-to-end employee experience. Partner with Recruitment to assist with workforce planning, sourcing strategies, employer branding, and critical talent acquisition.
• Employee Relations & Advisory: Serve as the primary advisor to business leaders on complex ER matters, embedding performance alignment frameworks and coaching managers on handling key people responsibilities.
• Governance, Risk & Compliance: Maintain and update HR policies, procedures, and systems to ensure alignment with Australian employment legislation. Proactively identify, mitigate, and report on HR compliance risks.
• Culture, Engagement & Retention: Champion engagement, wellbeing, and recognition initiatives that bring our values to life. Use employee feedback and analytics to strengthen workplace culture and retention.
• Payroll & Employee Data Integrity: Ensure accurate and authorised HR inputs for payroll processing in partnership with Finance, maintaining strict employee data integrity.
• Reporting, Insights & Continuous Improvement: Monitor HR metrics and leverage data to identify trends, mitigate risks, and recommend continuous improvements to HR frameworks.
• Budget Management: Oversee the HR function within approved financial parameters, managing costs for external providers, systems, and key projects.

What you will bring to the team

You are a confident, outcome-driven HR professional who balances technical expertise with sound judgment and empathy.

You will have:

• Substantial experience in a Senior HR Advisor, Generalist, or HR Management role with strong knowledge of Australian employment law. 
• Construction industry experience is highly regarded but not essential.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Employment Relations, or Business.
• Relevant professional HR memberships or qualifications.
• Demonstrated expertise in independently resolving complex employee relations, performance, and grievance matters.
• Proven capability to mentor an HR team and coach leaders across an organisation.
• High-level communication and influencing skills with the confidence to navigate sensitive conversations and challenge stakeholders constructively.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to translate strategic priorities into actionable HR outcomes.
• The ability to coach senior project leaders and remain calm under the pressures of a fast-paced construction environment.
• High level of documentation discipline and a working knowledge of Australian employment obligations relevant to the construction industry.

What’s on Offer

At Gardner Vaughan, we offer more than just a job. You’ll be part of a supportive, values led team that cares about people. We offer flexible working arrangements, health and wellbeing initiatives, meaningful recognition, and opportunities to grow and develop your career. We celebrate the moments that matter, bring our people together through regular social events, and back our team with benefits that make a real difference. And that’s just the start.  

How to Apply

If you’re an action-oriented HR leader who thrives in a mid-sized, fast-moving corporate environment, we’d love to hear from you. Apply via Seek with your resume and a cover letter outlining why you’re the right fit for Gardner Vaughan.