Sydney CBD location
People & Culture Business Partnerships/People & Culture/People Performance & Technology
Full Time/Permanent opportunity
$155,826 - $174,619 per annum plus superannuation
About the role
At the City of Sydney, we're passionate about creating a sustainable, inclusive and thriving global city. Guided by our vision for Sustainable Sydney 2030, we're shaping the future of one of the world's most liveable cities, and our people are at the heart of that journey.
We're looking for an experienced and commercially minded People & Culture Business Partner to join our progressive and high-performing People & Culture team.
This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned HR professional who enjoys partnering with leaders, navigating complex workplace matters, influencing business outcomes and driving meaningful organisational change. You'll play a critical role in helping leaders deliver results through their people while contributing to strategic initiatives that strengthen culture, capability and performance across the organisation.
Why join us?
As a People & Culture Business Partner, you'll be more than a trusted advisor. You'll be a strategic partner helping leaders solve complex business challenges, build high-performing teams and create exceptional employee experiences.
This role has a unique focus on leading and coordinating complex case management matters across the organisation while maintaining a smaller business partnering portfolio. You'll also have the opportunity to contribute to transformational people initiatives that support the delivery of our People Strategy and organisational priorities.
Our People Strategy focuses on:
- Creating a people-first culture where employees can do their best work
- Adapting the way we work to meet future workforce needs
- Strengthening our employee value proposition to attract, develop and retain diverse talent
About the role
Reporting to the Manager, People & Culture Business Partnering, you will:
- Partner closely with leaders to provide strategic and operational people advice that drives business performance
- Lead, coordinate and provide expert guidance on complex employee relations, workplace investigations, grievances, performance matters, misconduct matters and workplace conflict
- Coach and influence leaders to build capability, accountability and confidence in people leadership
- Analyse people trends, risks and workforce insights to inform decision making and improve outcomes
- Partner with specialist teams across Recruitment, Learning & Development, Diversity & Inclusion, WHS, Workers Compensation, HR Systems and
- Payroll to deliver integrated people solutions
- Support organisational change, workforce planning and culture initiatives across the business
- Contribute to the ongoing improvement of People & Culture practices, systems and processes
About you
You are a confident and credible HR professional who enjoys working in a fast-paced and complex environment. You combine strong commercial judgement with deep employee relations expertise and can build trusted relationships at all levels of an organisation.
You will bring:
- Demonstrated experience as a Human Resources or People & Culture Business Partner within a large, complex or unionised organisation
- Strong capability managing complex employee and industrial relations matters from initial assessment through to resolution
- Experience conducting workplace investigations, mediations, facilitated discussions and conflict resolution processes
- Proven ability to influence, coach and challenge leaders to improve people and business outcomes
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify risks, trends and opportunities
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Tertiary qualifications in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Employment Law or a related discipline, or equivalent experience
What success looks like
We're looking for someone who:
- Takes ownership and drives outcomes
- Brings a proactive rather than reactive approach
- Thinks strategically while remaining hands-on when required
- Uses data and insights to influence decisions
- Builds strong partnerships based on trust and credibility
- Is resilient, commercially astute and comfortable operating in complexity
- Wants to make a genuine impact on organisational performance and employee experience
This role has the option of a rostered day off each month, known as a 19-day month.
The recommended applicant must complete a pre-employment health declaration and a criminal history check.
Download position description.
What we can offer you
You’ll work with passionate, welcoming and supportive people who care for our communities and create a future for all.
Flexible working
- 3 days of care and cultural leave each year for health and wellbeing activities, cultural and religious days or events of significance
- Collaborative approach to flexible working
- City centre head office, with many public transport options.
Professional development
- Leadership and management development program
- Further education program providing reimbursement of course fees, and study and exam leave
- Opportunity to attend external courses and conferences
- Long service and employee recognition awards
- Employee assistance program offering free, confidential counselling
Supporting families
- We provide 26 weeks of paid parental leave for all new parents, supporting diverse and inclusive families
- Paid and unpaid adoption and long-term fostering leave
- Paid superannuation for up to 52 weeks of parental leave
- Part-time and job-sharing options available
- Supportive return-to-work environment
Inclusive culture
- Recognised as an Inclusive Employer by the Diversity Council of Australia
- Active employee networks including City Women, City Pride, DiverseCity, Inclusive City, Young Professionals and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander network
- Recognised family inclusive workplace
- Veteran employment supporter
Find out why acareer at the City of Sydneymight be right for you.
How to apply
Select ‘apply now’ to submit your resume and selection criteria.
Applications must be submitted online by 11:59pm, Thursday 24 September 2026.
For more information, contact Emma Simpson, HR Advisor - Recruitment on 02 9265 9102 or ESimpson@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au.
We welcome candidates from all backgrounds in a workplace as diverse as our communities. We’re passionate about gender balance, with an executive team two-thirds female and half of leadership roles held by women.
All applicants, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, veterans and people of diverse sexualities and genders, and those from culturally diverse backgrounds are encouraged to join us.
We’re a disability confident recruiter. If you identify as a person with disability and require support for your application or the recruitment process, contact us atrecruitment@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.auor 02 9265 9333.
Caring for our city, creating a future for all
Our people are passionate about their communities and connected to their teams. They’re motivated by our genuine commitment to diversity and inclusion, and our clear, compelling plan for our global city:Sustainable Sydney 2030 – 2050 Continuing the Vision.
Be part of a purpose-led organisation with care at its core. You’ll make a difference by acting in the best interests of our communities and city. Be better together with collaborative and inclusive partnerships. Embrace possibilities and be open to new ideas and creating bold solutions.
