Executive Manager, People & Culture
- Location:
- Bondi Junction, New South Wales, Australia
- Posted:
- 5th May 2025
- Advertiser:
- Hays - ANZ - 2930171
- HR leadership role on the Executive team
- 18 direct and indirect reports
- Working for the stunning Waverley Council region

Location: Bondi Junction, Sydney
About Waverley Council: Waverley is a vibrant, welcoming place to live, work, and play, known for its diverse population, creative culture, enriching lifestyle, stunning natural features, and distinctive neighbourhoods. The Council supports various services and initiatives to enhance community life, epitomising a thriving community between the city and the sea.
Role: Reporting to the General Manager, you will lead the People & Culture team to deliver strategic HR services aligned with Waverley Council's objectives. This includes driving transformative OD programs, developing high-level strategies, and ensuring best practices in HR functions such as change management, recruitment, talent, and workplace relations.
People & Culture Team: 18 direct and indirect reports
Responsibilities:
- Advisory: Provide high-level expert advice to the General Manager and Executive team on culture, people development, and organisational initiatives.
- Strategic Planning: Develop, implement, lead, and evaluate strategic business and people plans that align with Council's objectives.
- Transformative Leadership: transformative programs, considering people and culture impacts across the business. Drive business literacy, understanding company goals, mission, financial position, competition, technology, and culture.
- P&C Strategy: Drive and evaluate high-level P&C strategies, policies, and initiatives focusing on change management, organisational design, recruitment, talent development, and workplace relations. Lead a high-achieving P&C team, promoting excellent customer service standards. Provide strategic direction to deliver high-quality HR services that align with business requirements.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Executive leaders, peers, employees, and other stakeholders to manage complex projects and resolve high-priority, often sensitive people matters.
- Resource Management: Develop strategic business plans and budgets, generating innovative approaches.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: evidence-based decision-making through analytical projects and reports.
Requirements:
- Proven strategic thinking skills through setting priorities and developing organisation-wide people plans and budgets.
- Demonstrated achievements in leading and facilitating transformation and change management initiatives.
- Ability to coach Executive leaders and manage complex projects or sensitive people matters.
- Proven analytical capability for data-driven decision making and experience improving HR processes and systems.
- Knowledge of local council industry and the opportunities and challenges within the sector, including Local Government Act and other relevant legislation.
- High emotional intelligence in managing conflict, promoting equity and inclusion, and developing diverse talent. Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral
- Benefits of Working at Waverley Council:
- Professional development opportunities
- Yearly flu shots, skin checks and annual health and wellbeing fair
- Discounted gym membership through Fitness Passport
- Flexible working conditions, family-friendly policies and other great employee benefits
Waverley Council is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all candidates. They encourage applications from people from diverse groups, including, but not limited to, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people; people from culturally diverse backgrounds; young people; older workers; people with disabilities; LGBTQIA+; and other minority groups. Fully supports the aims and objectives of the NSW Officer of Children's Guardian and Child Protection legislation. We will implement necessary practices to ensure a safe and supported Council environment for children and young people. All staff, volunteers and contractors welcome child safe and child friendly practices.
If you have questions or require accommodations or assistance during the application process, please don't hesitate to reach out to William Prest, Associate Director HR at Hays william.prest@hays.com.au
