Essential HR is a leading HR consulting firm providing outsourced HR services to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Reporting to the Managing Director, the HR Business Partner/Consultant will support clients in all aspects of industrial relations/human resource management and maintain Employment Hero (HR software).
This role will provide support and advice to a portfolio of clients, working closely with business owners, CEO’s and line managers to ensure compliance and best HR practices.
Key Objectives include:
- Day-to-Day HR Support & Advice
- Interpretation of Fair Work Act, Awards, and Enterprise Agreements
- Management of Workplace Issues
- Deliver a diverse range of HR Projects
- Conduct Compliance Audits
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Day-to-Day HR Support & Advice
- Provide practical IR/HR support and advice to clients regarding employment obligations, employee relations, and HR best practices.
- Act as a first point of contact for clients for inquiries related to workplace matters.
2. Interpretation of Fair Work Act 2009, Moderns Awards, and Enterprise Agreements
- Provide clear and accurate interpretation of the Fair Work Act, Awards, and Enterprise Agreements to clients.
- Assist clients with understanding their obligations in relation to employment law and industrial agreements.
- Seek clarification from our Legal team to ensure the accuracy of our advice to clients.
3. Management of Workplace Issues
- Support clients in handling workplace grievances, disciplinary processes, terminations, and redundancies.
- Conduct workplace investigations
- Provide guidance on appropriate procedures to ensure compliance with legal requirements.
- Attend formal meetings such as disciplinary, grievance, and consultation meetings.
- Ensure thorough documentation of meetings, including letters and correspondence, minutes, and follow-ups.
4. Policy and Procedure Development and Compliance
- Develop, implement, and review workplace policies for clients to ensure compliance and alignment with their operational needs and best practices.
- Ensure that company policies and procedures are followed by consulting with line managers and guiding clients.
- Assist clients in making discretionary decisions by providing best practice advice.
- Collaborate with clients to adapt policies as per their specific needs and legal requirements.
- Conduct periodic policy reviews to ensure they are compliant with any changes in legislation and operational changes.
5. Conduct Compliance Audits
- Conduct workplace compliance audits, including reviewing existing policies, contracts, Awards, classifications, rates of pay, position description and HR practices and procedures.
- Provide recommendations for improvements to ensure adherence to legal and industry standards.
6. Employment Contracts and HR Letters
- Develop, review, and update employment contracts and HR Letters to ensure they are current, best practice and compliant.
- Review Employment Contracts being issued via Employment Hero.
- Review employee set up in Employment Hero ensuring they have the correct pay rates and classifications (If applicable)
- Review contract variations and changes to employment details
7. Position Descriptions
- Write and update position descriptions to reflect changing role requirements and organisational needs.
- Ensure all staff have a signed position description in Employment Hero.
8. Performance & Salary Review Management
- Manage the probationary and annual performance review processes in Employment Hero, ensuring clients conduct reviews effectively.
- Provide support to clients in ensuring that the performance management framework is adhered to.
- Provide advice around conducting performance reviews and giving constructive feedback.
- Participate in and provide advice on salary reviews, ensuring consistency with the Remuneration Policy and Procedures.
- Assist clients in assessing Award rates/EA rates to determine appropriate classifications and wages.
- Provide advice and ensure clients are paying as per relevant Award rates of pay and entitlements and have offset clauses where required.
9. Team Collaboration
- Work collaboratively with the HR Team in the following areas to maximise efficiencies for each client:
- New client onboarding processes
- Audits
- Employment Hero Implementations and optimisation
- Input into client HR Deliverable Plans
- Support around project work, delivering training, webinars and HR consulting
- Support clients in developing and implementing strategic HR initiatives aligned with business objectives.
- Time Management and Billing through accurate recording of time against projects
- Provide HR admin coverage for clients when Admin team members are on leave.
- Handle general HR administrative tasks, including client correspondence, updating records, and responding to inquiries when there is an overflow of HR Admin work.
- Support and mentor the HR Admin team member as required.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Skills & Knowledge:
- Strong understanding of Fair Work Act, Awards, and other employment legislation.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex HR matters in simple terms.
- High attention to detail and accuracy in managing documentation and correspondence.
- Is highly organised with a strong ability to plan/prioritise and deliver outcomes within tight time frames
- Can solve problems and suggest viable solutions
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
- Highly skilled in cloud-based HR technology, preferably Employment Hero, with a strong understanding of its HRIS and payroll functionalities.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.
- Proactive, adaptable, and willing to take initiative in a fast-paced environment.
- A collaborative team player who values input from others
Previous Work Experience:
- At least 10 years’ experience in an IR/HR or workplace relations advisory role.
- Experience in an outsourcing HR model or HR consulting would be an advantage
- Experience in handling employee relations issues, including grievances, terminations, and redundancies.
Personal Attributes:
- Is a team player and motivated to provide support to the HR team
- Passionate about delivering efficiencies and compliance through maximising the use of technology.
- Is proactive, identifying issues and solutions
- Ability to build positive relationships.
- Has a high sense of urgency and is conscientious in getting back to clients quickly
- Loves learning & researching for the right answers and solutions
- Natural problem solver
Qualifications & Training:
- Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Industrial Relations, or a related field
- Professional HR certification is highly advantageous.
