B21006 & B21024 – Multiple Roles Available

- Be visible. Build relationships. Drive workforce outcomes.
- Preston location with regular presence across Council sites.
- Full-Time, Ongoing.

At Darebin City Council, we believe great people outcomes are built through strong partnerships, trusted relationships and a deep understanding of the workforce.

We're seeking an experienced and contemporary Senior People & Culture Business Partner to partner with leaders across a diverse and complex organisation. In this role, you'll provide expert employee relations advice, manage complex workplace matters, proactively mitigate workforce risk and support leaders to build a positive, compliant and high-performing workplace.

This is not a role for someone who prefers to operate from behind a desk.

We're looking for a hands-on, highly visible Business Partner who enjoys working in the business, building trusted relationships and helping leaders navigate complex workforce challenges. You will spend time understanding operational needs, coaching leaders through difficult people matters and proactively identifying issues before they escalate.

Reporting to the Head of People Partnering & Workplace Relations, you will lead workplace investigations, manage complex employee and industrial relations matters, support organisational change and influence workforce decisions through sound judgement and contemporary people practices.

About the role

You will

- Partner with leaders to provide strategic and operational People & Culture advice across the employee lifecycle.
- Lead and manage complex employee relations matters, including workplace investigations, grievances, misconduct, performance management, dispute resolution and Enterprise Agreement interpretation
- Provide expert advice on employment legislation, policies and industrial instruments.
- Build trusted relationships across Council through a strong on site presence and understanding of operational environments.
- Build leadership capability to effectively manage people, performance, behaviour and workplace challenges.




- Partner with leaders to proactively identify and manage workforce risk, implementing practical solutions and preventative interventions.
- Support organisational change, workforce planning, restructures and consultation processes.
- Analyse workforce data and case trends to identify risk and inform decision making.
- Utilise HR systems and digital tools to enhance service delivery and workforce outcomes.
- Contribute to People & Culture initiatives, policy development and continuous improvement projects.

About you To be successful, you will bring:

- Significant experience in a senior People & Culture or Human Resources business partnering role, preferably in a large, unionised or complex organisational workplace.
- Demonstrated expertise in employee and industrial relations, including workplace investigations, Enterprise agreement interpretation, grievance management, misconduct matters, performance management and dispute resolution and complex case management.
- Demonstrated success partnering with leaders to improve workforce, organisational and cultural outcomes.
- Strong analytical capability and experience using workforce data and insights to support evidence decision making.
- Experience using HR systems, reporting tools and technology to improve efficiency and deliver better people outcomes.
- A proactive approach to workforce risk management, with a focus on prevention, early intervention and sustainable outcomes.

Why join us?

- Make a genuine impact across a large and diverse organisation.
- Partner with leaders to influence workforce performance, culture and capability.




- Be part of a collaborative People & Culture team committed to continuous improvement and modern people practices.
- Help shape the future of People & Culture service delivery through technology, workforce insights and contemporary approaches.
- Build strong relationships across both operational and corporate environments and see the direct impact of your work.

Requirements

- Tertiary qualification in Human Resources, Industrial Relations or a related discipline.
- National Police Check.
- Working with Children Check.

Ready to make a difference?

If you're a visible, hands-on People & Culture professional with strong employee relations expertise who enjoys partnering with leaders, proactively managing workforce challenges and delivering positive workforce outcomes, we'd love to hear from you.

How to Apply To apply, please submit your application including a Cover Letter and Resume. If you wish to address the Key Selection Criteria in the Position Description, you may do so in your cover letter.

Applications close on 20th October 2026 at 11:30PM. Applications will be reviewed during the advertising period so if you’re interested in this opportunity, we encourage you to get your application in as early as possible.

For a confidential discussion about the role and the opportunity, contact Isabella Galati, Head of People Partnering & Workplace Relations – [email protected]

Should you need reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process to support your accessibility needs, please get in contact with us and advise how we can best support you.

Pre-employment Checks

Darebin is committed to providing a safe working environment that embraces and values child safety, and thorough ‘Safety Screening’ processes apply.

To work at Darebin City Council, you will be required to supply proof of work rights, a Victorian Employee Working with Children Check and comply with Child Safety standards.

All employees are required to undertake an Australian Criminal History Check and may be required to complete a Functional Health Assessment.

📌 Senior People & Culture Business Partner (Melbourne)
🏢 Darebin City Council
📍 Melbourne