Job Description

This is a maximum term opportunity until June 2027 for an experienced People & Culture Business Partner to provide strategic and operational HR support across a diverse corporate portfolio.

Working closely with senior leaders, this role partners with the business to deliver key people initiatives, support organisational change, and strengthen leadership capability across the employee lifecycle.

You will provide trusted advice on workforce planning, employee relations, talent development, and organisational design while contributing to the delivery of Downer’s broader People & Culture strategy. Through strong stakeholder partnerships, you will support positive people outcomes that enable business performance and sustainable 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.
• Act as a trusted advisor and change partner during organisational change initiatives, including restructures and workforce transitions.
• 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 the safety, wellbeing, and inclusion of all employees.

What You Will Bring

• Tertiary qualifications in Human Resources or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience providing HR Business Partnering or operational HR support within a large, complex organisation.
• Strong employee relations capability with sound knowledge of employment legislation, the Fair Work Act, and modern awards.
• Proven ability to build trusted partnerships with stakeholders across all levels of leadership.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to provide clear and practical advice to leaders.
• Experience supporting organisational change, workforce planning, and talent initiatives.
• 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 the ability to build relationships and contribute to a positive and inclusive workplace culture.

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.