People and Culture Business Partner

Guiding the future of NSW education

Position details

• Clerk Grade 7/8
• Full-time, temporary role of up to 12 months with possibility of extension
• Close to Wynyard station with hybrid work arrangements

About us

At the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), we're dedicated to carrying out meaningful work that drives improvements and elevates student achievement across NSW, now and into the future.

We accomplish this by supporting all school sectors with high-quality syllabuses, assessment (including managing the HSC and NAPLAN), teaching standards (e.g., accrediting teachers) and school environments (including setting and monitoring school standards).

NESA is a unique organisation in NSW (of around 700 FTE staff) with significant state-wide impact, visit our website to learn more about the important work we do.

About the role

It's an exciting time to join the People and Culture (P&C) function at NESA. We focussed on strengthening our foundations, refining our operating model and enhancing our service offerings to enable exceptional business outcomes. In addition to enhancing delivery of core operational services and pursuing new enabling technology solutions, the People and Culture team is responsible for designing and delivering an exciting agenda of strategic people priorities and programs.

Reporting to the Senior P&C Business Partner, the P&C Business Partner is responsible for delivering consistent, high-quality people and culture advice and services. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a P&C function focussed on strengthening operational foundations, ensuring the delivery of accurate and consistent advice and supporting leaders to effectively manage people matters. This role plays a key part in building capability across the organisation through strong case management, sound judgement and the application of best-practice people management principles.

We are looking for a highly motivated individual to:

• Deliver advice, coaching and people solutions across the full range of employee lifecycle
• Establish strong relationships across NESA to understand challenges and opportunities, provide clear, focused and pragmatic advice, coaching and act as a trusted outcomes focused partner
• Deliver support, programs and initiatives relating to workforce management and people management capability uplift and drive a positive workplace culture
• Undertake case management in performance, wellbeing, conduct and grievance matters and manage sensitive issues effectively to enable timely and effective resolution
• Coordinate and implement a range of people projects applying sound project management principles to ensure key milestones and outcomes are delivered successfully
• Interpret and provide timely and accurate advice to managers and employees on relevant legislation, Awards, and policies to ensure effective application across the business

About you

To be successful, you are:

• An experienced People & Culture professional with a strong background in business partnering and a proven ability to collaborate with leaders to deliver practical workforce and organizational solutions
• A solid understanding of the full employee lifecycle and experience providing timely, accurate and consistent advice in complex organizational environments governed by legislative and policy frameworks.
• Able to build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders, establishing trust and credibility through a responsive and solutions-focused approach
• Able to demonstrate sound judgement, discretion and empathy in managing sensitive and complex matters, and are recognised for your ability to provide high-quality support and guidance that enables positive people outcomes

We invite you to download the role description and welcome queries to Madeleine O'Neill on the contact details above

At NESA you'll benefit from:

• An organisation where your contribution has a big impact, and you collaborate directly with senior leaders
• An enviable CBD location (all modes of transport nearby, and excellent coffee and eateries) with refurbished offices
• Flexible working arrangements and generous leave entitlements
• Access to discounted health and fitness memberships via Fitness Passport, an employee assistance program and annual flu vaccinations
• Salary packaging options
• Working in a purpose driven and ethical organisation with committed colleagues

Ready to join us?

Select apply and attach an up-to-date résumé and a cover letter.

In addition, address the 2 targeted questions below in your online application (maximum 400 words each):

• Please outline an example of a complex people management matter you advised a senior leader on. What was the situation, the advice you gave and the outcome?
• Outline an example of when you had to manage competing priorities while consistently meeting service levels and ensuring quality outcomes. What was the situation, your approach and any lessons learned?

Advice on applying for NSW Public Sector roles

If you need reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process and workplace, please reach out to the contact person above.

Application close date: Wednesday, 29 October 2025 at 11:59PM

Thank you for your interest, we look forward to receiving your application.

Important information

We particularly welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with a disability, people of all ages, genders, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans and refugees.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. For ongoing roles, you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident. Australian Temporary Residents may be considered for a fixed term contract for the length of their visa, depending on the requirements of the hiring area and the position.

A Talent Pool (valid for 18 months) may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles.