Manager People and Culture

Strategic HR Leadership | Coastal and Country Lifestyle | Regional Victoria

Lead people strategy - Shape culture - Live where others holiday.

Salary information:
The TRP is circa $165,000 (inclusive of Super).  Council mobile phone provided and use of a council vehicle is optional (with post-tax fortnightly deductions). 

Colac Otway Shire Council is seeking an experienced and values‑driven Manager People and Culture to join its senior leadership team. This is a rare opportunity to make a genuine, organisation‑wide impact while enjoying an exceptional coastal and country lifestyle.

This key leadership role offers the chance to influence organisational culture, capability and safety across Council, balancing strategic leadership with hands‑on delivery in a supportive, collaborative executive environment.

Why you’ll love working at Colac Otway Shire Council

This role offers more than career progression, it offers lifestyle, impact and purpose.

• Senior leadership opportunity with genuine influence across the organisation
• Lead and embed contemporary People and Culture and Workplace Health and Safety practices
• Supportive, inclusive and values‑driven executive team
• A rare opportunity to combine a senior HR career with coastal and country living
• A chance to lead meaningful transformation and build organisational capability

About Colac Otway Shire Council

Located approximately two hours south‑west of Melbourne and one hour from Geelong, Colac Otway Shire offers the best of both worlds, a rewarding senior leadership role and an outstanding quality of life.

The region is renowned for its natural beauty, from the iconic Great Ocean Road and Otway rainforests to pristine beaches, lakes and vibrant regional townships. With a strong economy built on agriculture, tourism and community services, Colac Otway is an ideal place to live, work and grow your career.

About the role

Reporting to the General Manager Corporate Services, the Manager People and Culture provides strategic and operational leadership across:

• Organisational and Talent Development
• Employee and Industrial Relations
• Human Resources
• Payroll
• Workplace Health and Safety

You will lead the delivery of a safe, inclusive and compliant workplace, ensuring Council’s people, culture and safety practices support a capable, customer‑focused organisation and the wellbeing of all staff.

This role will also lead a period of considerable transformation within the People and Culture team, strengthening systems, capability and service delivery across the organisation.

Key responsibilities

• Provide effective leadership across Organisational and Talent Development, ER/IR, HR, Payroll Services and Workplace Health and Safety
• Lead the implementation of Council’s workforce planning and workplace diversity strategies
• Drive a proactive, safety culture across the organisation
• Provide specialist advice on industrial instruments, employment legislation and change management
• Represent Council in discussions and negotiations with Unions and legal representatives
• Develop and implement strategies that enhance employee experience, organisational performance and community outcomes

About you

You are a confident, people‑centred leader with strong technical expertise and the ability to operate at both a strategic and operational level. You bring sound judgement, approachability and a values‑driven leadership style, with the credibility to advise and influence senior leaders.

You will bring:

• Demonstrated experience across the full HR lifecycle, including ER/IR, recruitment, workforce planning, performance management, policy and compliance
• Strong knowledge of employment law and industrial relations frameworks, with the ability to resolve complex issues
• A proven track record leading People & Culture teams and building organisational capability
• Confidence providing practical, balanced advice to senior leaders and managers
• Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills
• A hands‑on, outcomes‑focused approach

Tertiary qualifications in Human Resources, Industrial Relations or Organisational Development are highly regarded.

Why join Colac Otway Shire Council?

Guided by shared values and a clear strategic vision, Colac Otway Shire Council is committed to building capable, high‑performing teams that work with integrity, openness and initiative.

This is your opportunity to:

• Lead a positive, people‑centred culture
• Influence meaningful organisational change
• Enjoy a senior leadership role while embracing an enviable regional lifestyle

For further information regarding the duties and requirements of the role, please refer to the Position Description.

Applications close:
Monday 13 April 2026

For further information and how to apply

Applicants are encouraged to download and review the Position Description, which includes the key selection criteria for the role.

Information to be included with your application:

• Letter of application
• Current resume

Written responses to the key selection criteria are not required as part of the application process. The selection criteria outlined in the Position Description will be assessed during the interview process.