Head of Human Resources

Head of Human Resources
Full Time Permanent
Start date:          12th October 2026     
Closing date:      27th August 2026  
Interviews:   3rd / 4th September 2026

MLC School is seeking an experienced and technically capable Head of Human Resources to lead a responsive, well-governed and service-focused HR function.

This Executive leadership role has direct accountability for the effective operation, governance and compliance of Human Resources across the School. The successful candidate will bring strong HR leadership, sound judgement and the capability to oversee employment and industrial relations matters, strengthen systems and processes, and ensure practical frameworks support consistent and compliant decision-making.

Reporting to the Principal and working as a member of the School Executive, the Head of Human Resources provides expert advice on employment matters, workforce risk, governance, compliance, HR systems and operational people issues. The role requires strategic insight, disciplined execution and a strong focus on delivering accurate, timely and reliable HR support to staff and leaders.

About MLC School
Founded in 1886, MLC School is an independent, non-selective Uniting Church school for girls from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12, located in Sydney’s inner west. Our guiding principle, dare to be more, reflects our commitment to excellence, innovation and care — for our students and our staff alike.

Under the leadership of the Principal, Ms Lisa Moloney, our highly professional staff challenge girls to think deeply, question traditional perceptions and roles of women, and develop the confidence and capability to thrive in an ever-changing world.
The MLC School girl is at the heart of everything we do.

Who is the MLC School girl?
The MLC School girl is empowered with the skills and capabilities to be adaptive, compassionate and courageous, enabling her to confidently take her place in an ever-changing society. She embraces challenge, strives for excellence and is supported to achieve her individual, personal and academic potential.

About the position
The Head of Human Resources leads the HR team and is responsible for delivering high-quality, consistent and compliant HR services across the School. The role oversees HR operations, employment administration, employee lifecycle processes, HRIS governance, workforce data, policy and procedure management, industrial and employee relations, workforce compliance and risk management.

The successful candidate will maintain and improve HR systems, processes and frameworks so that HR practices are well documented, consistently applied and aligned with legislative, industrial, governance and School requirements.

While the role contributes to workforce planning, change and capability uplift, its primary focus is the leadership of a practical, responsive and well-governed HR function that supports staff management, provides reliable employment advice and ensures compliant and efficient people practices.

For a full overview of responsibilities and requirements, please refer to the Position Description.

About you
You are an experienced senior HR practitioner with strong technical capability, sound judgement and a hands-on approach to HR leadership. You are comfortable operating at Executive level while remaining close to the practical detail required to lead a busy school HR function.

You bring strong capability in HR operations, employment and industrial relations, workforce compliance, HR systems, governance and process improvement. You understand the importance of accurate data, well-documented processes, consistent service delivery and practical, defensible advice to leaders.

This role will suit someone who is motivated by operational leadership, disciplined execution and continuous improvement. While you can contribute strategically to workforce planning and organisational change, you are energised by leading a responsive, compliant and service-focused HR function that supports staff, leaders and the broader School community.

You will bring

•  Demonstrated senior HR leadership experience, preferably in an educational or similarly complex environment
• Strong employment relations and industrial relations capability, including experience managing complex and sensitive people matters.
•  Extensive knowledge of employment legislation, modern awards, enterprise agreements and workforce compliance obligations.
•  Experience leading HR operations, employee lifecycle processes and a high-volume operational HR service.
•  Demonstrated capability in HRIS governance, workforce data integrity and reporting, with experience in ConnX highly desirable and the ability to maximise system capability essential.
  
•  A strong governance mindset, including the ability to establish and maintain policies, procedures, controls and assurance frameworks.
•  Experience strengthening systems, processes and workflows to improve efficiency, compliance and service delivery.
•  The ability to balance strategic thinking with operational execution and attention to detail.
•  Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
•  A commitment to ethical practice, continuous improvement and the values of MLC School.

Selection criteria

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• senior HR leadership experience, preferably within an educational or similarly complex environment, with the ability to lead both strategic and operational HR priorities;
• strong employment relations, industrial relations and workforce compliance capability, including the ability to provide practical, sound and defensible advice on complex and sensitive people matters;
• demonstrated experience leading HR operations, employee lifecycle processes, HR service delivery, systems improvement and process optimisation;
• experience overseeing HRIS platforms, workforce data integrity and reporting, with ConnX experience highly desirable;
• a strong governance and assurance mindset, with the ability to establish frameworks, controls, policies and compliant processes;
• excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to work effectively with Executive leaders and managers;
• tertiary qualifications in Human Resources, Business or a related discipline, or equivalent experience;
• a commitment to the ethos, values and student safety expectations of MLC School.

How to apply

All applications are to be submitted via MLC School’s online Careers Portal and include:

• a cover letter addressing the selection criteria, with clear examples of relevant experience and capability (2 pages maximum)

• a current resume (including the names and contact details of three confidential referees)
  

Applications close on 27th August 2026. 

Please note the advertising closing date is indicative only and MLC School reserves the right to close the advertisement before this date is reached. You are encouraged to submit your application as soon as possible.

We do not welcome interest from recruitment agencies at this time.