Head of People & Culture Business Partnering and Employee Relations

About Avant

At Avant, our purpose is to protect and support doctors throughout their careers so they can continue caring for their patients and communities with confidence. 

As Australia's leading medical defence organisation, we combine deep expertise with a genuine commitment to our members, people and values. We are a mutual, which means our focus is on creating long-term value for our members, not shareholders. 

We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded people leader to join our People & Culture Leadership Team as Head of P&C Business Partnering & Employee Relations. 

The Opportunity 

Reporting to the Chief People Officer, this is an influential leadership role within the People & Culture Leadership Team.  

You will be a key voice in organisational, leadership and workforce decisions across Avant, leading a team that partners with leaders and team members across the organisation to build the capability, culture and talent needed for the future.  

Leading our Business Partnering and Employee Relations function, you will help shape and deliver the People Strategy, strengthen leadership capability, improve organisational effectiveness and create an environment where people can perform, grow and build meaningful careers at Avant. 

While the role provides oversight of complex employee relations matters and employment policies, its focus extends beyond managing issues. You will help leaders build high performing teams, develop future capability and create a workplace where people feel connect to Avant’s purpose and values. 

Key responsibilities 

Strategic Business Partnering:

• Partner with executives and senior leaders on people, leadership, workforce, and organisational priorities. 
• Translate business objectives into practical people strategies and plans. 
• Strengthen leadership capability, succession and workforce readiness. 
• Use workforce insights and business context to support informed decision-making and future workforce planning. 
• Drive organisational effectiveness initiatives that enable leaders and teams to perform at their best. 
• Support the development of talent, career pathways and internal mobility. 

Leadership of the Business Partnering Function: 

• Lead and develop a high-performing Business Partnering and Employee Relations team. 
• Embed a consistent and effective partnering model across the organisation. 
• Coach leaders through organisational, workforce and people challenges. 
• Build strong standards, collaboration and capability across the function including clear and proportionate escalation processes.  

Employee Relations & Workplace Practice: 

• Provide guidance on complex employee relations matters. 
• Maintain employment policies and frameworks that support practical, values led people practices. 
• Build leader capability to address workplace issues  early and constructively. 
• Identify emerging risks, trends and organisational themes and drive proactive solutions. 
 

About You 

 
You are a highly credible senior P&C leader with deep experience in both strategic business partnering and employee relations.  

You are equally comfortable coaching executives on leadership and organisational capability as you are guiding the resolution of complex people matters. You bring an enterprise mindset and a genuine passion for developing people, leaders and teams.  

You'll Bring 

• Senior leadership experience in People & Culture, HR Business Partnering or Employee Relations. 
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing high-performing teams. 
• Strong knowledge of Australian employment law and industrial relations. 
• A track record of partnering with senior executives and leadership teams. 
• Experience managing complex employee relations matters and and investigations. 
• The ability to influence, coach and constructively challenge leaders. 
• Strong stakeholder management, negotiation and communication skills. 
• Experience using workforce data and insights to inform decisions. 
• Sound judgement and the ability to recognise when people matters require escalation and provide balanced, evidence based advice. 

Desirable 

• Experience within financial services, insurance, banking, superannuation or another regulated industry. 
• Postgraduate qualifications in Human Resources, Employment Relations, Business or Law. 
• Experience transforming or strengthening business partnering and employee relations operating models. 
• Experience within a member-based, mutual or purpose-led organisation. 

 
Why Join Avant? 

At Avant, you'll have the opportunity to shape the leadership capability, culture and employee experience of an organisation that plays a critical role in supporting Australia's healthcare professionals. 

You'll join a collaborative executive leadership environment, work alongside talented colleagues who care deeply about their work, and help influence the future direction of our people strategy. 

If you are passionate about developing leaders, strengthening organisational capability and creating workplaces where people can thrive, we'd love to hear from you. 

Equal Opportunity Employer
Avant supports doctors so they can serve Australia's diverse communities. Having diversity in our workforce brings valuable perspectives and strengthens our ability to support healthcare professionals.
We therefore welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally diverse communities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and those with caring responsibilities.

Our inclusive workplace is somewhere everyone can succeed.

Ready to join us? If you're passionate about supporting Australia's healthcare professionals, we'd love to hear from you. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please don't hesitate to contact us at [email protected]