Manager - Organisational Development

Manager - Organisational Development

We have a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Organisational Development Manager to join our People & Culture team in Melbourne.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Organisational Development

• Design and deliver organisational development strategies, aimed at fostering a high-performance, collaborative culture while addressing the firm's evolving business needs.
• Lead and contribute to firm-wide organisational development and people initiatives that reinforce our strategic priorities and enhance capability across legal, legal support and business services.
• Design and deliver solutions spanning performance, talent and succession, diversity, equity and inclusion, culture, engagement, and recognition.
• Apply OD frameworks to shape and evaluate cultural change initiatives.
• Facilitate employee surveys, focus groups, and action-planning efforts.

Learning & Development

• Develop and implement the firm's L&D framework, including professional development pathways for lawyers, legal support and business services.
• Oversee compliance and CPD programs, ensuring alignment with regulatory and industry standards.
• Lead bespoke interventions to elevate leadership capability and drive behavioural change.
• Integrate health, safety, and wellbeing programs into the firm's learning strategy - including resilience training, psychological safety, mental health awareness, and proactive wellbeing practices.
• Partner with People & Culture Business Partners and leaders to deliver targeted solutions, learning pathways, and tailored development plans.
• Collaborate across the People & Culture function to ensure holistic and consistent delivery of learning and wellbeing initiatives.

Leadership & Influence

• Champion a culture of performance and engagement by modelling firm values and guiding others through coaching and consultation.
• Support performance enablement across the firm by championing review processes, advising leaders on best-practice frameworks, and helping identify and close capability gaps through targeted development strategies.
• Collaborate with leaders and People & Culture Business Partners to promote consistent performance practices and drive continuous improvement.
• Inspire and motivate others through effective communication, partnership, and thought leadership.
• Promote a psychologically safe, inclusive workplace through consultative support and championing wellbeing initiatives.

ISO27001 Audit

• Act as a role model for information security. As well as setting an example of good practice, management responsibilities include ensuring that employees, relevant contractors and suppliers are aware of their responsibilities, and attend Information Security training where appropriate in accordance with ISO 27001, control A.6.3.

Skills/Knowledge

• Strong understanding of organisational development, learning, and capability frameworks.
• Expert knowledge of contemporary OD practices, including change management, leadership development, and cultural transformation.
• Strategic mindset with strong hands-on delivery capability.
• Excellent relationship management and influencing skills, with a highly service-oriented approach.
• Strong interpersonal, negotiation, facilitation and persuasion skills to engage stakeholders and drive initiatives.
• Data-driven approach to measuring impact and continuous improvement.
• Familiarity with digital learning tools and platforms.

Experience

• Proven experience designing and delivering organisational development and learning & development initiatives.
• Experience leading firm-wide capability programs that drive performance and growth.
• Experience working in professional services environments; prior experience in a law firm is highly desirable.

Further Information
Any questions regarding the vacancy can be directed to Rhoda Siu on For further information or to submit your application for this position please visit the careers page on our website. Please note any offer of employment made by Russell Kennedy Lawyers to the successful candidate will be subject to a police check. We are currently accepting applications from direct applicants only. No agency referrals will be accepted at this stage.

Our Firm and Culture
Russell Kennedy is a commercial law firm with more than 340 people in Melbourne and Sydney. We are committed to providing exceptional legal strategies and solutions to our clients, guided by market-leading expertise across our key sectors of focus.

As part of our team, you'll receive hands-on experience, quality mentoring and access to valuable learning opportunities. We encourage a professional and committed work ethic, while recognising the importance of an enjoyable working environment and balanced lifestyle. We believe we have a culture where individuals of all backgrounds and abilities feel included and confident in bringing their whole selves to work, and where your talents are fostered, empowering you to contribute to the success of the firm.

Russell Kennedy is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is certified as a WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality, as well as being certified as a gold employer in the Australian Workplace Equality Index for employers with 500 or less employees. We respect and celebrate the things that make each of us different. The firm supports and promotes a range of initiatives to create an environment that is characterised by equal access and respected participation of all groups and individuals. There is a particular focus and emphasis on gender equality, inclusion of First Nations peoples, accessibility for people with disability, LGBTIQ+ inclusion, and cultural diversity. Russell Kennedy is recognised by Australian Disability Network as a Disability Confident Recruiter employer.

Russell Kennedy is committed to attracting and retaining the best talent available. We acknowledge the importance of work-life balance, all current and prospective employees have access to flexible work options and workplace adjustments including alternate accessible formats, where required. If you require an adjustment during the recruitment process please contact Leanda Nissen on

Russell Kennedy Lawyers acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we meet and work. Our offices are situated on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri and Gadigal peoples. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, to their emerging leaders and to the resilience, creativity and vitality of their cultures including their laws and systems of governance.