Lead People and Culture and join the Senior Leadership Team at One of Australia's Most Iconic Organisations

Few organisations can offer the diversity, purpose and impact of Sovereign Hill Museums Association.

Home to the internationally renowned Sovereign Hill Outdoor Museum, Sovereign Hill Hotel, AURA, Narmbool, the Australian Centre for Rare Trades and Arts, and the Australian Centre for Gold Rush Collections, we are custodians of a nationally and internationally significant collection of more than 150,000 objects and the living stories of the Victorian gold rush.

Welcoming more than 500,000 visitors each year, Sovereign Hill is far more than a museum. We are a major tourism destination, cultural institution, education provider, hospitality operator and community organisation. Behind every visitor experience is a workforce of approximately 350 employees and more than 250 volunteers who bring our story to life.

As we continue to evolve, we are seeking an exceptional People & Culture leader to help shape the future of our workforce, culture and employee experience.

Why This Opportunity?

This opportunity has recently returned to market as we continue our search for the right leader to join our organisation.

We are looking for a Senior People & Culture skilled who brings contemporary thinking, strong employee relations expertise, commercial judgement and the ability to build trusted relationships across every level of the organisation.

Success in this role requires someone who is equally comfortable partnering with the Board and Executive, coaching leaders through complex and sensitive people matters, delivering strategic workforce initiatives and remaining connected to the day-to-day experiences of our employees and volunteers.

This is a role for a hands-on leader who thrives in complexity, enjoys working in the grey, and can balance strategy with operational delivery.

About the Role

Reporting to the Chief People & Safety Officer and leading the People & Culture team, you will play a pivotal role in delivering a contemporary, high-performing people function that supports organisational success.

This is not a traditional HR role.

One moment you may be contributing to Board papers, supporting Executive discussions and analysing workforce trends. The next, you may be managing a complex employee relations matter, partnering with a leader through organisational change, supporting a frontline employee,



or overseeing a major workforce initiative.

You will lead a broad operational portfolio spanning employee relations, workforce planning, remuneration, governance, compliance, workforce reporting, recruitment and culture initiatives.

Most importantly, you will be a trusted advisor, visible leader and key business partner who can work effectively with executives, managers, employees and volunteers alike.

What You'll Be Doing

Lead and Influence

- Lead and develop the People & Culture function, including coaching and supporting the P&C; Coordinator.
- Build trusted relationships across the organisation and provide expert advice to leaders at all levels.
- Partner closely with the CPSO and Executive team to strengthen leadership capability and people management practices.
- Contribute to Board reporting through workforce insights, metrics and recommendations.

Own Employee Relations

- Lead all employee relations matters across the organisation.
- Manage complex and sensitive case management, investigations, performance matters and workplace issues.
- Provide practical, commercially sound and people-focused advice.
- Support leaders to manage challenging people situations with confidence and consistency.

Deliver People Strategy

- Drive the operational execution of the People & Culture strategy and annual workforce plan.
- Lead people programs that enhance engagement, leadership capability, inclusion and organisational culture.
- Support organisational change and continuous improvement initiatives.

Drive Governance, Compliance and Workforce Performance
- Lead remuneration review processes and workforce reporting.
- Ensure compliance with employment legislation, enterprise agreements and organisational policies.
- Maintain strong workforce governance, risk management and data integrity practices.
- Manage the People & Culture budget and contribute to workforce forecasting and planning.

Stay Connected to the Business
- Build strong relationships across our museums, tourism, hospitality, collections,



education and corporate operations.
- Be visible, approachable and responsive to employees and managers.
- Understand operational realities and deliver practical people solutions that make a genuine difference.

About You

You are an experienced People & Culture leader who combines strong technical expertise with exceptional relationship-building skills. You enjoy operating in environments where no two days are the same and have the confidence to navigate ambiguity, influence outcomes and drive meaningful change.

You'll bring

- Significant experience in senior HR or People & Culture leadership roles.
- Deep employee relations experience, including complex case management and investigations.
- Experience partnering with executives, boards and senior leaders.
- A contemporary and forward-thinking approach to workforce management and organisational culture.
- Strong commercial and analytical capability.
- The ability to move seamlessly between strategic initiatives and operational delivery.
- Outstanding judgement, resilience and stakeholder management skills.
- A genuine passion for people, leadership and organisational success.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to build a meaningful career while contributing to an organisation that preserves and shares Australia's cultural heritage.

In addition to a unique and rewarding environment, we offer:

- Monthly Rostered Day Off (RDO)
- Salary packaging benefits of up to $15,900 per annum
- Access to novated leasing
- Free unlimited entry to Sovereign Hill for you and your immediate family
- Your very own authentic 1850's costume!

Child Safety and Pre-Employment Checks

Sovereign Hill is committed to child safety and creating a culture where children are safe, respected and empowered. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including a National Police Check and a valid Working with Children Check.

Diversity and Inclusion

Sovereign Hill welcomes and encourages applications from people of all backgrounds and is committed to providing equal opportunities and fostering an inclusive workplace.

Make an Impact

If you're a modern People & Culture leader who thrives in complex environments and wants to help shape the future of one of Australia's most iconic organisations, we'd love to hear from you.

Join us as we preserve the past while shaping the future.

📌 Head of People & Culture (Ballarat)
🏢 The Sovereign Hill Museums Association
📍 Ballarat