People Business Partner

Work Type:

Location:

Melbourne - VIC 

  • 12 month fixed-term contract
  • Partner with leaders on ER/IR & capability building
  • Influence culture in a growing, values-driven team
A large, purpose-driven not-for-profit early learning provider in Melbourne is seeking a strategic and hands-on People Business Partner to join their growing People & Culture team on a 12 month fixed term contract. The organisation supports hundreds of staff across multiple kindergartens and early learning services, delivering high-quality, inclusive programs for children and families.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a real impact, shaping leadership capability, culture, and organisational development during a period of significant growth and sector reform.

About the role
 Reporting to the Director of People, you will work alongside a small team of People Business Partners to provide trusted HR and organisational development advice across the organisation.

This role combines strategic HR, organisational development, and operational delivery, partnering with leaders across multiple sites to:
  • Build leadership capability and embed a strong, inclusive culture
  • Lead and support organisational development initiatives including leadership programs, role design and capability frameworks
  • Translate people strategy into practical, scalable solutions
  • Provide guidance on complex employee and industrial relations matters, including investigations, performance management, and enterprise agreements
  • Support organisation-wide projects including workforce reform, service model reviews, and compliance initiatives
  • Coach leaders through change, ambiguity, and complex people decisions
About you
 You are an experienced HR Business Partner or senior HR generalist with a strong organisational development and change focus. You bring:
  • Proven experience in HRBP, organisational development, or senior generalist roles in complex, multi-site environments
  • Ability to lead complex ER/IR matters and investigations with confidence
  • Experience in designing and implementing change initiatives and leadership development programs
  • A consultative, relationship-driven style and strong influencing skills
  • A pragmatic approach to translating strategy into practical outcomes
  • High emotional intelligence and comfort working in “grey areas”
  • Alignment with purpose-driven, values-led organisations
Experience in education, early learning, community or not-for-profit sectors is highly regarded.

Why this role is exciting
  • Join a purpose-led organisation making a tangible impact on children, families, and communities
  • Work in a collaborative, values-driven People & Culture team
  • Play a key role in major growth, reform, and organisational development initiatives
  • Hybrid working model across office, centres, and remote
  • Benefits include childcare fee discounts, professional development, and employee wellbeing programs
If you are a People Business Partner who thrives on complexity, loves driving change, and wants to make a difference in a values-driven organisation, this is the role for you.

Reference Number:

4052091

Date Published:

30-Jun-2026

Contact Name:

Erin Hogan

Contact Email:

ehogan@thenextstep.com.au


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Your details may be provided to our clients for potential opportunities; however, this will only occur after a discussion with one of our consultants and with your consent. We are committed to handling your information securely and confidentially in line with national privacy requirements.

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The Next Step embraces individuality and differences in gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural background, disability, faith and sexual orientation. We strive to provide a recruitment experience that’s fair, inclusive and accessible. We encourage all suitable applicants to apply for roles. Please speak to our consultants about any accessibility needs to be considered during the recruitment process.