People and Culture Manager

The People & Culture Manager provides strategic leadership across PCLC’s people, culture, workforce capability and workplace relations functions. Working closely with the CEO and Executive Team, the role leads the development and implementation of a People & Culture framework that strengthens organisational culture, supports staff wellbeing, promotes safe and inclusive work practices, and ensures compliance with employment, industrial relations and workplace health and safety obligations. The role is central to building a capable, values-led workforce that enables PCLC to deliver high-quality, person-centred legal services and achieve its strategic objectives.

Key focus areas

• Lead the development and implementation of contemporary people and culture strategies that strengthen organisational capability, engagement and performance.
• Foster a positive, inclusive and values-led workplace culture that reflects PCLC’s commitment to compassion, empowerment, integrity, engagement and social justice.
• Promote a safe, healthy and supportive work environment, with a strong focus on staff wellbeing, psychological safety and proactive management of workplace risks.
• Provide trusted, practical and timely advice to the CEO, Executive Team and leaders on workforce strategy, employee relations, change management and people-related risks.
• Ensure PCLC meets its employment, industrial relations and workplace health and safety obligations, including compliance with relevant legislation, Awards and Fair Work requirements.
• Lead and support fair, trauma-informed and procedurally sound approaches to workplace investigations, conflict resolution, performance matters and organisational change.

Organisational Context

Peninsula Community Legal Centre (PCLC) is one of 49 community legal centres in Victoria. It operates across six local government area in the south east of Melbourne – Cardinia, Casey, Frankston, Glen Eira, Kingston and Mornington Peninsula. PCLC is headquartered in Frankston and has branch offices in Bentleigh, Cranbourne and Rosebud.
PCLC works to empower and support disadvantaged community members of the South Eastern and Westernport region to use the law and legal system to protect and advance their rights and broaden their awareness of their responsibilities. PCLC offers general legal advice and casework services, specialist family law, tenancy, family violence, rooming house and social work programs, and is active in community legal education and law reform work.

Job Description

Accountability Areas

• Develop, and implement PCLC’s People & Culture framework, ensuring it supports the Centre’s strategic objectives, values and service delivery priorities.
• Provide high-quality advice and guidance to the CEO, Executive Team and managers on workforce planning, organisational culture, employee relations, performance management and people-related risk.
• Oversee core human resources functions, including recruitment and onboarding, employment contracts, policy development, remuneration and benefits, learning and development, staff wellbeing and workforce reporting.
• Lead and support initiatives that strengthen staff engagement, inclusion, psychological safety and a positive workplace culture across all PCLC sites and programs.
• Support the CEO and Executive Team with change management, organisational growth and service transformation, ensuring people impacts are well planned, communicated and managed.
• Coordinate performance, development and succession planning processes that build workforce capability and support consistent, constructive people management practices.
• Manage complex employee relations and industrial matters, including workplace investigations, grievances, conflict resolution, disciplinary processes and liaison with unions or external advisers where required.
• Maintain current knowledge of relevant employment legislation, industrial instruments, Fair Work requirements, workplace health and safety obligations and sector practice standards.
• Contribute to strategic and annual planning, risk management, policy development and continuous improvement initiatives across the organisation.
• Participate in supervision, planning and organisational meetings, and undertake other relevant duties as directed by the CEO.

Desired Skills and Experience

Key Selection Criteria

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in human resources, organisational development, workplace relations, psychology, business or a related discipline, and/or substantial equivalent experience in a senior people and culture role.
• Demonstrated experience leading contemporary people and culture functions, including workforce planning, recruitment and onboarding, performance and development, remuneration, policy development, staff engagement and workforce reporting.
• Strong knowledge of employment legislation, industrial instruments, Fair Work requirements, workplace health and safety obligations and contemporary human resource management practice.
• Demonstrated ability to provide accurate, practical and trusted advice to executives, managers and staff on complex employee relations matters, workplace investigations, grievances, performance issues and organisational change.
• Proficiency in HR systems and general office software.
• Proven ability to strengthen organisational culture, staff wellbeing, inclusion and psychological safety through values-led leadership and practical people strategies.
• Highly developed communication, interpersonal and influencing skills, with the ability to build trust, manage sensitive matters with discretion, and work effectively with people at all levels of an organisation.
• Strong planning, problem-solving and decision-making skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities, exercise sound judgement and maintain high levels of confidentiality and professionalism.
• A demonstrated commitment to PCLC’s vision, mission and values, including social justice, access to justice, inclusion, integrity and person-centred practice.

Other Requirements

• Travel to PCLC service locations is a requirement of this role. Access to a reliable and comprehensively insured motor vehicle is essential.
• Ensure compliance with all privacy legislation and treat personal and sensitive information concerning PCLC and its clients in a professional and confidential manner, in line with PCLC information and records management procedures.
• Ensure PCLC policies, procedures, systems and work practices are implemented and adhered to, particularly in human resource management, risk management and client service.
• Act professionally at all times while performing duties for, or representing, PCLC, in accordance with the Staff Code of Conduct.

For further information please contact the Chief Executive Officer, Jackie Galloway on 9783 3600 jgalloway@pclc.org.au

PCLC is committed to creating a diverse and safe environment. We are proud to be an equal opportunity and Child Safe employer. PCLC is committed to building a culture that values diversity and promotes a workplace that welcomes and includes the unique contributions of all people. We encourage applications from individuals of all ages, backgrounds and identities, particularly applicants who identify as being Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, are culturally diverse and/or LGBTQIA+. PCLC undertakes a variety of employment screening checks. This includes employment references, Working with Children Checks and Criminal History Checks.

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