We have an exciting permanent opportunity for an experienced People & Culture Business Partner to provide strategic and operational HR support across a diverse corporate portfolio.
Working closely with senior leaders, you will partner with the business to deliver key people initiatives, strengthen leadership capability, and drive positive employee experiences across the full employee lifecycle. This role plays a critical part in enabling business performance through effective workforce planning, employee relations, organisational design, and talent strategies.
You will also support and lead change initiatives that enable smooth organisational transitions, foster adoption of new ways of working, and help leaders navigate transformation with confidence. Through trusted partnerships and practical people solutions, you will contribute to the delivery of Downer’s broader People & Culture strategy and support sustainable business growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Partner with senior leaders and business stakeholders to deliver strategic and operational HR support aligned to business objectives and workforce plans.
- Support the implementation of the People & Culture strategy, including talent development, succession planning, organisational design, and employee engagement initiatives.
- Provide expert advice on employee relations matters, including performance management, investigations, and workplace legislation across Australia and New Zealand.
- Lead and support organisational change initiatives, including restructures, workforce transitions, operating model changes, and the implementation of new ways of working.
- Act as a trusted advisor to leaders, helping them build capability and effectively manage people-related challenges and opportunities.
- Collaborate with internal teams including Recruitment, Industrial Relations, Payroll, People Services, and Injury Management to deliver consistent people outcomes.
- Analyse workforce trends and insights to inform people initiatives and support continuous improvement within the client group.
- Champion Downer policies, processes, and The Downer Standard to ensure compliance and consistent application of HR practices.
- Support leaders across the employee lifecycle, including capability development, performance management, remuneration review, and workforce planning.
Promote a culture aligned with Downer’s Zero Harm commitment to safety, wellbeing, and inclusion.
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What You Will Bring
- Tertiary qualifications in Human Resources or a related discipline.
- Demonstrated experience in a People & Culture Business Partner role within a large, complex, and fast-paced organisation.
- Strong employee relations capability with sound knowledge of employment legislation, the Fair Work Act, and modern awards.
- Proven experience supporting and leading organisational change, transformation, restructures, and workforce planning initiatives, with the ability to enable smooth organisational transitions and embed new ways of working.
- Demonstrated capability to partner with leaders through periods of change, building understanding, engagement, and adoption while minimising disruption to business operations.
- Ability to influence, coach, and challenge leaders to make effective people decisions while maintaining strong stakeholder relationships.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to provide practical, commercially focused advice and translate complex people matters into clear actions.
- Experience partnering with senior stakeholders and building trusted relationships across all levels of an organisation.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret workforce data and translate insights into meaningful actions.
- Ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining confidentiality and sound judgement in complex situations.
A collaborative and proactive approach, with a genuine passion for creating positive people outcomes, high-performing teams, and a culture of continuous improvement.
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Benefits Of Working with Downer
- Work with an ASX listed company, working with market leaders.
- Grow your career with us, we are passionate about giving our people opportunities to grow through personal and professional development and continuous learning:
- Professional development programs
- Access to professional memberships and industry networks
- Be part of a team that cares, we foster a work environment built on support that is flexible around our employee’s wellbeing needs:
- Flexible work arrangements
- Parental leave
- Employee Assistance Program
- Programs promoting diversity and inclusion
A range of Corporate Benefits, including:
Discounted services (car hires, hotels, insurance, retail stores, gyms)
Why Downer?
As a trusted name in infrastructure, transport, facilities management, and construction, Downer is committed to delivering projects that create a lasting, positive legacy. We’re committed to building a team that reflects the diverse communities we serve, and we welcome people of all ages, genders, sexual orientations, cultures, abilities, and lived experiences. We especially encourage applications from those whose voices have traditionally been underrepresented in our industry, including women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Māori and Pasifika Peoples, veterans, people with disability, and neurodivergent individuals. Even if your experience doesn’t align perfectly with this role, we’d still like to hear from you. If it feels like the right fit, apply - potential counts, and so do you.
As a WORK180 Endorsed Employer, we support flexibility that works for your life, inclusive leadership that values your voice, and equitable access to opportunity so you can do your best work and bring your whole self to it.
