People & Culture Business Partner

Full time opportunity | Central Southbank location
- Inclusive work environment | Peer and Leadership Support
- Professional development and training opportunities

Are you a passionate HR professional looking to make a real impact? We’re seeking a dynamic **People & Culture Business Partner** to join our team and drive the delivery of our People & Culture strategy across multiple centres.

**The opportunity**:
As a key member of the People & Culture team, you’ll work collaboratively with Centre Directors and business leaders to deliver strategic and operational HR support. From talent management and organisational capability to employee relations and engagement, you’ll play a critical role in fostering a high-performing, inclusive, and values-driven workplace.

**About Us**:
Explorers Early Learning is a family-owned and operated group of early childhood centres across Melbourne. Our approach is inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, placing children’s creativity, curiosity and relationships at the centre of learning. We’re proud to be known for our high-quality learning environments, strong leadership, and commitment to exceeding the National Quality Standards. Our South Melbourne Head Office is a modern, vibrant hub just minutes from the CBD, featuring collaborative workspaces, state-of-the-art training facilities, and a passionate team focused on supporting our centres and their communities.

**Our Values**:
**Ownership** - Own It, Do It: Deliver the best, hold yourself and others accountable.
**Innovation** - Be Curious: Innovate to be one step ahead.
**Relationships** - Better Together: Support each other to be our best.
**Excitement** - Be the Joy: Energise people and places, create positivity.
**Learning** - Love to Learn: Commit to learning and teaching, make yourself and others better.

**Key Responsibilities**:
Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) and Compliance
- Promote and embed a strong health and safety culture across all sites.
- Ensure compliance with current legislation, company policies, and ethical standards.
- Identify, report, and support the resolution of safety risks, incidents, and hazards.

Strategy Delivery & People Metrics
- Implement People & Culture strategic initiatives and manage assigned projects.
- Partner with leaders to analyse, interpret, and act on key people metrics.
- Contribute to cross-functional and business-wide initiatives that support organisational goals.

Organisational Capability Building
- Collaborate with leaders to drive cultural and capability-building initiatives.
- Design and deliver training and leadership development programs as required.
- Conduct regular site visits to provide on-the-job coaching and assess team capability.
- Support the ongoing implementation of our star program and role model company values.

Employee Relations (ER)
- Provide timely and sound advice on a wide range of employee and industrial relations matters.
- Manage complex ER cases, including grievances, performance issues, and workplace investigations.
- Support employee wellbeing through proactive communication and promotion of EAP services.

Talent Management & Engagement
- Lead talent review and succession planning processes in partnership with leaders.
- Develop and support initiatives to attract and retain high-quality talent.
- Analyse exit feedback to inform and implement retention strategies.
- Drive engagement initiatives that promote inclusion, recognition, and the development of identified talent.

**Skills & Knowledge Required**
- Strong understanding of employment law and HR practices.
- Extensive experience in managing complex ER matters, including investigations.
- Proven success in talent management and succession planning.
- Demonstrated ability to influence and coach leaders.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.
- Experience delivering training and facilitating learning (desirable).
- Confident in interpreting and using people metrics to inform decisions.
- HR generalist experience across multiple areas of the employee lifecycle.
- Early Childcare industry experience(desirable)
- Bachelor’s degree in HR or management (desirable)

**Why Join Explorers?**
- Work in a supportive, collaborative environment with room to grow.
- Gain exposure to high-impact projects and senior leadership.
- Be part of a values-led organisation focused on children, families, and staff wellbeing.
- Enjoy our modern South Melbourne office with easy access to transport, cafes, and the city.
- Access to ongoing learning, mentorship and development pathways

Explorers is committed to being a flexible, safe, equal, and inclusive workplace where we embrace and support diversity.

Join Explorers and become part of a community that transforms lives through the magic of early childhood education. Let’s inspire the future together
- T&Cs apply.