HR Business Partner

HR Business Partner, Sydney: Hands-On People & Culture Role in a Growing Business

About the opportunity

A growing, founder-led business in Sydney is adding an HR Business Partner to its People & Culture team. This is a hands-on generalist role for someone who likes being close to the business, knows the leaders by name, and can move between a workforce plan in the morning and a tricky employee relations matter after lunch.

The business has grown quickly and the people side now needs to catch up. That means structures that keep shifting, priorities that change, and leaders who want practical advice they can act on the same day. You will report to the HR Manager and work alongside a Talent Acquisition Partner, with no direct reports.

If you have spent time in a scale-up, private equity backed or entrepreneurial business and enjoyed building things rather than just maintaining them, this role is built for you.

About the company

The organisation is a privately owned, founder-led Australian business on a strong growth path. It runs a lean, flat structure where decisions get made quickly and people are expected to back their judgement. The leadership team values relationships, pace and common sense over process for its own sake.

Further details on the business will be shared confidentially once you have spoken with Civitas Talent.

Day in the life

No two weeks look the same, but your time will be spread across the following:

Business partnering

• Partnering with managers and leaders on day-to-day people matters across the full HR mix
• Coaching managers on performance conversations, conflict and negotiation
• Giving commercially grounded advice on workforce planning, talent and organisational design
• Pushing back on leadership decisions when needed, and making the case for a better outcome
• Spotting people risks early and putting forward practical fixes

Growth, structure and change

• Supporting workforce planning tied to the growth plan
• Working with leaders to design team structures that will hold up as headcount grows
• Contributing to succession planning and talent pipelines
• Supporting restructures and change programmes when they come up
• Building simple frameworks that scale without adding red tape

Talent, performance and development

• Working with hiring managers and the Talent Acquisition Partner to attract and secure strong people during busy hiring periods
• Owning the performance review process and coaching managers on feedback
• Identifying skill gaps and designing, running and tracking training programmes
• Contributing to employer brand activity

Employee relations, policy and compliance

• Acting as a point of contact for employee concerns and workplace issues
• Writing, rolling out and maintaining HR policies and procedures
• Keeping HR practice compliant with Australian employment law and record-keeping obligations
• Administering remuneration and benefits so offers stay competitive and compliant

Data, systems and culture

• Analysing workforce data (engagement, turnover, hiring and retention) and turning it into clear recommendations
• Improving HR systems and processes, and finding admin that can be automated
• Using technology and AI tools to make life easier for employees and managers
• Working with the HR Manager and Head of People & Culture on engagement, retention, wellbeing and recognition programmes
• Supporting inclusion and belonging initiatives

What you will bring

• 10+ years' experience across multiple HR disciplines, ideally within growing businesses
• A track record of supporting leaders through growth, change and periods where the answer is not obvious
• The ability to think strategically and still roll up your sleeves on the detail
• Strong working knowledge of Australian employment legislation and the Fair Work framework
• Hands-on experience with HRIS platforms and HR databases
• Confidence analysing HR metrics and using the data to shape decisions
• Sound judgement on complex and sensitive matters
• Tertiary qualifications in Human Resources, Business or a related field
• Strong relationship skills and the credibility to influence leaders in a flat structure
• Comfort working in a lean team where you are expected to self-start

Nice to have

• Experience in a founder-led, private equity backed, start-up or scale-up business
• Experience taking a business through a period of transformation or rapid scale
• Strong technology and AI literacy, with examples of using tools to cut admin
• Prior exposure to organisational design and restructure work
• Experience building HR frameworks from a low base

What is on offer

• Permanent, full-time HR Business Partner role based in Sydney
• Competitive salary package, available on request (talk to Civitas Talent for the range)
• A seat close to the decision-makers in a business that is still being built
• Real scope to shape people practices that will carry the organisation through its next stage of growth
• A team that values pace, practicality and good relationships

Frequently asked questions

What is the salary for this HR Business Partner role in Sydney? The salary is competitive and available on request. Contact Civitas Talent for a confidential conversation about the package.

Is this HR Business Partner role hybrid? The role is Sydney based. Working arrangements will be discussed in detail at the first conversation with Civitas Talent.

What qualifications do I need? A tertiary qualification in Human Resources, Business Administration or a related field, along with 10+ years of generalist HR experience and strong knowledge of Australian employment law.

Who does the HR Business Partner report to? The role reports to the HR Manager and works closely with the Head of People & Culture and a Talent Acquisition Partner. There are no direct reports.

Is this a People & Culture Business Partner or an HR Advisor role? It is a senior generalist HR Business Partner role (also called a People & Culture Business Partner or People Partner). It combines strategic partnering with hands-on delivery.

How does the application process work? Apply through this page. Applications are reviewed by Civitas Talent and handled in confidence. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for a confidential discussion before any introduction to the business.

How to apply

Click Apply to submit your CV. For a confidential conversation, contact Shane O'Neill at Civitas Talent:

E: shane@civitastalent.com

M: 0420 736 144

All applications are treated in strict confidence.

Permanent, full-time HR Business Partner (People & Culture) role in Sydney, NSW, with a growing, founder-led private business. Recruitment by Civitas Talent, specialist HR and HSE recruiters.