DDEG is a multidisciplinary consulting engineering business with around 90 people across (Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane). Our teams provide specialist advice in fire safety engineering, building solutions, accessibility and related disciplines. We've grown on the strength of our people. Now we're investing in a dedicated HR function to support our next stage of growth.

The opportunity

This in-house role is a chance to shape how HR works in a growing professional services business.

You’ll report to the Director overseeing People and Culture and work closely with the Director group on people strategy. The role is hands‑on. You'll handle day-to-day HR yourself while building the policies, systems and programs the business needs as it grows. As we scale, you'll have the opportunity to build and lead a HR team.

Where we’re at today

Today, HR is managed by a part-time HR Manager with support from our directors and office management. Payroll is managed by an external provider. We have core policies and processes in place, and you’ll have the scope to review what works, fix what doesn’t and set the roadmap.

Your focus in the first 12 months

- Get to know our people, leaders and offices, and assess our current HR practices
- Review and strengthen employment contracts, policies and compliance
- Refine our recruitment and onboarding approach across all disciplines
- Improve our performance review and career progression framework
- Act on our employee engagement survey results
- Become the trusted adviser to directors and managers on people matters

Ongoing responsibilities





- End‑to‑end recruitment and onboarding
- Employee relations, including grievances, investigations, performance and disciplinary matters
- Performance, development and leadership capability
- Engagement, wellbeing, inclusion and recognition programs
- HR systems, records and support for payroll and benefits
- Workforce planning, remuneration reviews and salary benchmarking

About you

You're a commercially minded generalist who enjoys building things and is comfortable working without a large team around you. You're trusted, approachable, calm under pressure and confident having difficult conversations.

You'll bring:

- 5+ years' HR experience, including at least 2-3 years in a manager or senior adviser role
- Experience building or significantly improving HR functions.
- Broad HR generalist experience, including recruitment and employee relations
- Strong working knowledge of the Fair Work Act 2009, the National Employment Standards and contemporary awards
- The ability to work independently and influence people at all levels, from graduates to directors
- Sound judgement with confidential and sensitive matters

Highly regarded:

- Experience in engineering, construction, architecture or professional services
- Experience supporting multi-office businesses
- Tertiary qualifications in HR, Business or a related field
- Experience implementing HR systems

What we offer

- A role with genuine influence and visible impact from day one
- Direct access to the Director group
- Hybrid working arrangement available (up to 2 days WFH)

📌 HR Manager/People (Melbourne)
🏢 Dobbs Doherty
📍 Melbourne