Job Description:
Lead a high-performing People Partnering team and help shape the future of healthcare through strategic people leadership, workforce expertise and meaningful organisational impact.
- Lead and develop a capable People Partnering team: Coach, mentor and uplift a team of People Partners while driving high-quality HR service delivery across the organisation.
- Influence strategic workforce outcomes: Partner with senior leaders to navigate complex people matters, workforce planning, organisational change and industrial relations challenges.
- Make a meaningful difference: Join one of Australia's leading not-for-profit healthcare providers and contribute to a workplace culture that enables exceptional patient-centred care.
About St Vincent's Health Australia
At St Vincent's Health Australia (SVHA), we are shaping a future health and aged care system that supports people with life-changing care, wherever and whoever they are.
Founded by the Sisters of Charity in 1857, St Vincent's is one of Australia's leading not-for-profit health and aged care organisations. Our 30,000 dedicated people provide compassionate care through public and private hospitals, aged care residences, virtual care and services delivered at home across New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria.
Our vision is for every person to receive excellent and compassionate care through a better and fairer health and aged care system. Together, we are focused on enhancing our impact, connecting care and transforming the system.
Our work is guided by our values of Compassion, Justice, Integrity and Excellence.
About the Opportunity
We are seeking an experienced and people-focused Lead People Partner to join St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne.
Reporting to the Head of People Partnering, you will lead a team of five dedicated People Partners and act as a trusted advisor to executive leaders, managers and stakeholders across the organisation.
This is an outstanding opportunity for a senior HR Business Partner ready to step into a broader leadership role, or an experienced People & Culture leader looking to expand their strategic impact within a complex and purpose-driven healthcare environment.
You will play a critical role in driving workforce outcomes, providing expert employee and industrial relations advice, leading organisational change initiatives and supporting leaders to build high-performing and engaged teams.
Working closely with leaders and specialist People & Culture functions, you will influence both strategic and operational people outcomes across St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne.
Classification for this role - HSUA 5 Grade 3.
A Message from Paula Parry, Head of People Partnering
"St Vincent's is a unique employer within the healthcare sector. Our People & Culture team works closely with leaders and frontline teams who deliver compassionate care every day. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced HR professional to lead a highly engaged team while contributing to meaningful workforce outcomes that support our mission and values."
Your Key Responsibilities
As the Lead People Partner, you will:
- Lead, coach and develop a team of People Partners to deliver exceptional HR support and advice.
- Partner with senior leaders on workforce strategy, organisational design, workforce planning and people initiatives.
- Provide expert advice on employee relations, industrial relations, performance management, conduct matters and workplace investigations.
- Act as an escalation point for complex people matters, grievances and case management.
- Represent St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne in Victorian Hospitals Industrial Association (VHIA) reference groups and industrial forums.
- Interpret and apply enterprise agreements, industrial instruments and employment legislation.
- Manage relationships with unions and employee representatives to support positive workforce outcomes.
- Lead and support organisational change initiatives, restructures and workforce transition activities.
- Ensure consistent and compliant people practices across assigned portfolios.
- Collaborate with Payroll, Talent Acquisition, Workplace Relations, People Services and Occupational Health & Safety teams to deliver integrated people solutions.
- Support leaders to build employee capability, engagement and performance.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance People & Culture service delivery.
- Contribute to the development of strategic workforce and People & Culture priorities.
- Monitor workforce trends and provide data-informed recommendations to leadership.
- Build strong relationships with stakeholders across all levels of the organisation.
About You
You are an experienced HR professional who combines strong technical expertise with authentic leadership capability.
You thrive in complex and fast-paced environments, enjoy partnering with senior leaders and are passionate about developing others to achieve their full potential.
You bring a collaborative approach, sound judgement and the ability to influence outcomes while balancing organisational, employee and operational needs.
You Will Bring
- Tertiary qualifications in Human Resources, Industrial Relations or a related discipline.
- Significant experience providing generalist HR support within a unionised workforce environment.
- Demonstrated employee and industrial relations expertise.
- Experience interpreting and applying enterprise agreements and employment legislation.
- Experience managing complex workplace investigations, grievances and employee relations matters.
- Experience representing employers in Fair Work Commission matters.
- Strong stakeholder management and business partnering capabilities.
- Proven ability to influence leaders and support decision-making at all organisational levels.
- Experience leading, coaching or mentoring HR professionals.
- Excellent communication, consultation and relationship-building skills.
- Strong problem-solving capability and sound commercial judgement.
- A commitment to continuous improvement and contemporary People & Culture practices.
Highly Regarded
- Previous experience within healthcare, aged care or a similarly complex and regulated environment.
- Experience supporting large operational workforces.
- Exposure to workforce transformation and organisational change initiatives.
- Knowledge of public health sector industrial relations frameworks.
- Experience building capability and leading high-performing HR teams.
Why Join St Vincent's?
- Lead with Impact
Shape workforce outcomes, influence organisational strategy and support leaders across one of Australia's most respected healthcare organisations. - Develop Your Leadership Career
Lead a capable People Partnering team while expanding your strategic HR, workforce planning and industrial relations expertise. - Purpose-Driven Work
Contribute to an organisation where great people practices enable exceptional patient care and community outcomes. - Collaborative Culture
Join an experienced and supportive People & Culture team committed to innovation, learning and continuous improvement. - Work-Life Balance
Enjoy five weeks annual leave plus a paid monthly ADO, providing additional flexibility and time to recharge. - Excellent Employee Benefits
Access salary packaging benefits, professional development opportunities, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Fitness Passport and a range of wellbeing initiatives.
Apply Now
If you're an experienced People & Culture professional ready to lead, influence and make a meaningful impact, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply now with your resume and cover letter and join a team committed to building a better and fairer healthcare system for all.
Applications may close prior to the advertised closing date.
Important Information
Employment is subject to satisfactory completion of all required pre-employment checks, including identification, right-to-work verification, referee checks, criminal history screening and applicable immunisation requirements.
Diversity & Inclusion
At St Vincent's Health Australia, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, valued and empowered to contribute their unique experiences.
We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and people of all backgrounds, identities and experiences.
Closing Date:
18 October 2026 11:59pm
Reconciliation Action Plan:
At St Vincent's we acknowledge the importance of creating a work environment that is welcoming, safe, equitable and inclusive for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Employees. As part of our Commitment to Reconciliation and Closing the Gap in employment related outcomes, we encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
For further information, visit https://www.svha.org.au/about-us/reconciliation or get in contact at indigenouscareers@svha.org.au
View Reconciliation Action Plan
Code of Conduct:
View Code of Conduct