Job Description

Shape the people agenda of a purpose-driven organisation

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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.

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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.

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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.

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About the role

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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.

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Your key responsibilities will include:

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- Lead YRK's people and culture strategy, workforce planning, culture and capability priorities.
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- Advise the CEO, Executive team, senior leaders and Board on organisational change, workforce matters, employment risk and emerging people issues.
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- Lead complex employee and industrial relations matters, including performance, conduct, grievances, workplace investigations and disputes.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- Develop a capable, responsive and trusted P&C; team that balances service delivery with strategic priorities.
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About you

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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 skilled team and hold a relevant qualification, or equivalent senior experience.

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You will bring:

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- Substantial senior P&C; experience in a complex, multi-site, unionised or regulated organisation.
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- Strong employee and industrial relations capability, including complex case management, workplace investigations and dispute resolution.
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- Demonstrated ability to interpret enterprise agreements, modern awards and employment legislation and provide concise, decision-ready advice to executives and Boards.
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- A practical record of leading organisational change, strengthening culture and improving leadership accountability while remaining willing to handle urgent operational casework.
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- Experience in early childhood, education, community services, government or another highly regulated sector will be valued, but is not essential.
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Reporting directly to the CEO, you will have genuine organisation-wide influence.

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

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

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

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Employment requirements

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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.

📌 People & Culture Manager (Victoria)
🏢 Yarra Ranges Kinders
📍 Victoria