Create futures worth inheriting with SMEC and the SJ Group

About SJ Group

At SJ, we’re building identity into infrastructure, character into skylines and peace of mind into everyday life. A global urban and infrastructure consultancy firm with over 75 years of project delivery success, SJ and its member companies continue a collective legacy that delivers global expertise with local precision.

About SMEC

We unlock the potential of our people to look at infrastructure differently, creating better outcomes for the future. We are committed to positively impact the people, the environment and the clients and communities we serve.

About The Role

We're seeking an experienced and commercially minded Senior Manager – People & Culture Business Partnering (ANZ) to lead our Business Partnering function across Australia and New Zealand. Reporting into the Head of People & Culture (ANZ), you will lead the ANZ People & Culture Business Partnering team, providing strategic and operational HR leadership across multiple business lines.

Note: the role can be based in Sydney / Brisbane / Melbourne

Key Accountabilities

- Partner with senior business leaders to translate business strategy into practical People & Culture solutions.
- Lead workforce planning, organisational design, talent and succession planning, performance management and employee engagement initiatives.
- Lead complex employee relations matters, providing expert guidance and practical solutions.
- Build trusted relationships with executives, senior leaders and key stakeholders across the business.
- Act as the key connection between Business Partnering and specialist People & Culture functions to ensure seamless implementation of regional and global initiatives.
- Lead,



coach and inspire a team of People & Culture Business Partners across ANZ.
- Foster a collaborative, customer-focused and high-performing team culture.
- Manage team performance, workload planning and resource allocation to ensure exceptional service delivery.
- Create an environment where people are empowered to grow, innovate and deliver outstanding outcomes.

About You

You’re an experienced People & Culture Leader who combines strategic thinking with a hands‑on approach. You enjoy building capability in others, influencing senior leaders and creating practical people solutions that support business performance.

You'll Bring

- Tertiary qualifications in Human Resources, Business, Psychology or a related discipline.
- 15+ years' experience in senior HR leadership and Business Partnering roles.
- Demonstrated success leading and developing high-performing HR Business Partner teams.
- Extensive experience partnering with executive and senior leadership teams.
- Robust experience leading organisational change, transformation and complex people initiatives.
- A proven ability to balance strategic thinking with operational execution.
- Excellent knowledge of Australian and New Zealand employment legislation and HR best practice.
- Strong commercial acumen and the ability to align people strategies with business outcomes.
- Outstanding communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.

Why Join Us?





This is an opportunity to join a collaborative, values‑driven organisation where People & Culture is recognised as a strategic partner to the business.

You’ll Have The Opportunity To

- Lead an experienced Business Partnering team across Australia and New Zealand.
- Partner with executive leaders on meaningful business decisions.
- Influence organisational strategy and culture.
- Drive impactful people initiatives across a diverse and growing business.
- Work collaboratively with regional and global People & Culture leaders.
- Grow your career within a global organisation committed to innovation, inclusion and professional development.

Benefits

SMEC is committed to building a diverse, inclusive and gender‑equitable workforce and encourages applications from people of all backgrounds across engineering and technical disciplines. We provide a supportive and flexible working environment that recognises individual contribution, supports career progression, and enables our people to balance work and life at all stages of their career.

As a family‑friendly employer, we offer flexible working arrangements and advantages including 18 weeks of universal paid parental leave. We are proud to foster an inclusive culture that supports gender equity, LGBTI+ inclusion and First Nations representation, with access to strong professional networks, role models, and mentoring and sponsorship programs.

All recruitment activities go through our Recruitment & Talent function and currently, this role doesn’t require agency input. Please do not forward resume directly to SMEC employees/managers; we do not accept unsolicited resumes and are not responsible for any associated fees.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

📌 Senior Manager, Business Partnering, People & Culture (ANZ) (Melbourne)
🏢 SMEC (An SJ Group
📍 Melbourne