Executive Director, People & Culture

Max term to 30 June 2028, Part-time

A hands-on leadership role combining people strategy, HR operations and team collaboration.

About Manufacturing Alliance

The Manufacturing Industry Skills Alliance (Manufacturing Alliance) is an industry-owned, industry-led not-for-profit organisation focused on addressing skills and workforce needs across Australia's manufacturing sector.

Through the Manufacturing Jobs and Skills Council, we work with employers, unions, governments, education and training providers and other industry stakeholders to build a skilled workforce for the future. Our work supports the development of contemporary training, stronger industry partnerships and the skills needed for modern manufacturing to thrive.

About the role

We are seeking an experienced and practical HR generalist to join Manufacturing Alliance as our Executive Director, People & Culture.

Reporting to the CEO, you will lead our People & Culture function, combining the development of people strategies with the hands-on delivery of day-to-day HR activities. This is a broad, wide-ranging role suited to someone who enjoys both shaping the people agenda and rolling up their sleeves to get things done.

As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, you will provide advice on people, culture and workplace relations matters, while remaining closely involved in the operational work that supports our managers and employees. From recruitment and performance management to employee relations, policy development and organisational change, you will play an active role across the full employee lifecycle.

Working within a small P&C; function, collaboration is key. You will work closely with your P&C; colleague, the CEO and leaders across the organisation to manage priorities, deliver practical solutions and build a positive, productive workplace culture. You will be just as comfortable advising senior leaders as you are working through an employee matter, coaching a manager or improving an HR process.

This is an opportunity for someone who enjoys variety, values teamwork and wants to make a tangible difference through both strategic thinking and practical delivery.

Key responsibilities

People strategy and leadership

- Develop and implement people strategies and initiatives that align with organisational priorities and workforce needs.
- Provide practical, considered advice to the CEO, Executive Leadership Team, Board, managers and employees on people,



culture and workplace relations matters.
- Contribute to organisational planning, decision-making and change initiatives as a member of the Executive Leadership Team.
- Monitor workforce trends, identify emerging people risks and provide relevant reporting and recommendations.

Hands-on HR operations

- Lead and contribute directly to the day-to-day delivery of P&C; services across the organisation.
- Support the full employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, performance and development, employee engagement and offboarding.
- Personally manage complex employee matters, including performance and conduct issues, grievances, workplace conflict and investigations.
- Coach and support managers to confidently manage their people responsibilities.
- Develop and maintain HR policies, procedures, systems and processes, ensuring they are practical, consistent and compliant.
- Identify opportunities to improve HR processes and deliver efficient, responsive support to employees and managers.

Workplace relations, compliance and culture

- Provide sound advice on Australian employment legislation, industrial instruments and workplace obligations.
- Manage workplace relations matters and employment-related risks, applying sound judgement and a solutions-focused approach.
- Support a safe, respectful and inclusive workplace, including employee health, safety and wellbeing initiatives.
- Contribute to initiatives that strengthen employee engagement, performance, capability and workplace culture.
- Support organisational change through effective advice, consultation and practical implementation.

Organisational Development & Culture

- Support workforce planning, talent management, succession planning and capability development to meet the organisation’s current and future workforce needs.
- Develop and implement practical initiatives to strengthen employee engagement, leadership capability and organisational performance, fostering a culture of trust, collaboration and accountability.
- Provide hands-on support for organisational change initiatives,



including change management, consultation and implementation.
- Support the development and delivery of performance management and development frameworks that promote accountability, continuous improvement and employee growth.

About you

You are an experienced HR generalist who combines strong professional judgement with a practical, hands-on approach. You enjoy working across a broad range of people matters and understand that effective P&C; leadership means being involved in both setting direction and delivering the work.

You will bring:

- Extensive generalist HR experience across the employee lifecycle, including employee relations, performance management, remuneration, workforce planning and organisational development.
- The ability to operate at both a strategic and operational level.
- Strong knowledge of Australian employment legislation and workplace relations, including experience managing complex and sensitive employee matters.
- Experience developing and implementing people policies, processes and initiatives that translate organisational priorities into practical outcomes.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships, coach managers and provide sound advice to senior leaders.
- A collaborative working style and a genuine team mindset, with the ability to share responsibility, support colleagues and work constructively across the organisation.
- Sound judgement, problem-solving skills and the ability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic environment.
- Experience supporting organisational change, employee engagement and a positive workplace culture.

Tertiary qualifications in Human Resources or a related discipline are required.

Why join Manufacturing Alliance?

Join an organisation making a meaningful contribution to the future of Australia's manufacturing workforce.

You will have the opportunity to shape our people practices, influence organisational priorities and work closely with colleagues across the business. With a broad remit and a small P&C; function, this role offers variety, ownership and the opportunity to make a practical difference every day.

If you are a capable, collaborative HR professional who enjoys combining strategic input with hands-on delivery, we would love to hear from you.

Employment type: Maximum Term Contract, Part-time.

Apply now to be part of Manufacturing Alliance.

📌 Executive Director, People & Culture (Melbourne)
🏢 Manufacturing Industry Skills Alliance
📍 Melbourne