Job Description

About us

Proudly Australian owned, Coates has a long history of supporting customers to deliver major projects and an exciting future focused on growth. We provide end-to-end solutions spanning Equipment Hire, Engineering Solutions, Industrial Solutions and Power & HVAC.

The next step in your career starts here…

• Well defined career path to set you up for a successful HR vocation
• Based at either Truganina or Dandenong – fun office culture, free parking
• Talk to us about your Flexible requirements

This is a high-impact 12-month fixed term senior role for a commercially minded People Business Partner ready to take on genuine strategic scope, owning the people agenda for Coates' South Business Unit (VIC, SA, TAS).

Reporting to the Group Manager People Operations, you'll influence at executive level while remaining close enough to the business to provide hands-on support where it counts.

Our Senior People Business Partners are solutions oriented and excel when presented with challenges. You’ll be joining a business that values the new ideas you will bring along with your generalist experience.

You’ll enjoy variety in your role including:

• Partner with senior leaders to develop and implement people plans that drive business performance in the South BU
• Lead and support national HR initiatives and projects from conception through to execution
• Provide expert advice on complex employee relations matters—including awards, enterprise agreements, grievances, and disciplinary processes
• Lead fair and consistent grievance and disciplinary investigations, drawing on strong ER knowledge
• Ensure legislative compliance across workplace practices and keep stakeholders informed of obligations
• Drive employee performance and development processes, championing a culture of continuous growth
• Build credibility and trust with leaders at all levels through commercially grounded, pragmatic HR advice

What you’ll get in return

We provide our team with a wide range of perks and benefits, including:

• Competitive salary package
• Genuine strategic scope: direct access to senior leaders and a seat at the table on people decisions
• Flexible working — let's have an honest conversation about what works
• 12 weeks paid parental leave (in addition to government scheme)
• Purchased additional leave, novated leasing, and salary sacrifice options
• Access to employee discounts, wellbeing programs and benefits platform
• Volunteering opportunities through the Coates Foundation
• Clear career pathways in a growing, nationally significant business

What you’ll bring to the role

This role is challenging! You will have many competing priorities, but the workload is varied and bustling. We anticipate you will have the following:

Essential:

• Degree in HR, IR, or a related field
• Proven experience in an industrial or blue-collar environment—you know how to work in complex, award/agreement-covered businesses
• Deep knowledge of employment legislation, with demonstrated ability to interpret and apply awards and enterprise agreements
• Track record managing complex ER matters—investigations, disciplinaries, grievances—confidently and fairly
• Ability to influence, challenge, and advise senior stakeholders with credibility
• Experience in a matrix organisation, managing multiple reporting relationships

Highly regarded:

• Experience working across geographically dispersed teams
• Background in leadership development or organisational capability programs
• Genuine passion for employee advocacy and building inclusive cultures

Looking for more reasons to join Coates?

At Coates, we know that people, organisations and communities thrive when everyone feels valued and included.

We’re proud to be implementing our second Reconciliation Action Plan and are committed to improving gender representation. We also provide opportunities for growth through our leadership and development programs.

But our impact doesn't stop there. Coates supports local and national charities through the Coates Foundation and invests in more sustainable equipment solutions to help create a greener future for all.

Visit careers.coates.com to learn more about our values and opportunities.

Unlock your next career opportunity – apply today!

Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our culture. Coates welcomes candidates from all backgrounds, experiences and perspectives to apply.

Coates. Equipped for you.