At Clayton Utz, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Manager, People & Development (P&D) to join our national Business Partnering team.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a collaborative team of Managers, Consultants, and Coordinators to deliver high-impact people solutions. As a trusted partner to senior business leaders, you will drive the people strategy, deliver innovative and high-impact solutions, and lead a cohesive and high-performing People & Development team.
Reporting to the Head of Business Partnering and Operations, you will work closely with Group Lead Partners (GLPs), Business Advisory Services Leaders, and Office Partners in Charge to enable the performance, progression, and engagement of our people.
If you’re a senior HR professional with a strong business partnering background, a strategic mindset, and a passion for leading with influence and empathy, this is the role for you.
What you’ll be doing
- Partnering with senior business leaders: Collaborate with GLPs and other senior stakeholders to deliver strategic people initiatives that align with business goals, including talent management, performance, promotion, and workforce planning.
- Driving people strategy: Act as a key driver of the firm’s people strategy, ensuring it is embedded across all levels of the organisation.
- Leading a cohesive team: Inspire, mentor, and develop a national team of People & Development Managers, Consultants, and Coordinators to deliver best-in-class people solutions across the employee lifecycle.
- Providing expert guidance: Offer strategic advice on complex employee relations matters, succession planning, and workforce strategy, ensuring alignment with business needs and industry trends.
- Shaping firmwide initiatives: Lead or contribute to HR projects and initiatives that support the firm’s broader people strategy and cultural goals.
- Fostering collaboration and inclusion: Champion diversity and inclusion by embedding inclusive practices into people processes and leadership behaviours, while cultivating a high-performance, collaborative culture within the Business Partnering team and the broader P&D function.
What you’ll bring
- Extensive HR leadership experience: At least 10+ years’ experience in HR business partnering, including 3+ years in a team leadership role.
- Strategic mindset: Proven ability to connect people strategy to business goals and translate plans into action.
- Stakeholder engagement expertise: Demonstrated success in partnering with senior stakeholders in a complex, matrixed environment — ideally within the legal or professional services sector (but not essential).
- Strong technical knowledge: Deep understanding of Australian employment law and experience managing complex employee relations matters.
- Leadership and mentoring skills: A collaborative leadership style with a passion for developing and empowering others.
- Program management experience: Expertise in managing cyclical people programs such as promotions, performance reviews, and succession planning.
- Commitment to inclusion: Experience driving cultural change and embedding inclusive leadership practices.
Why join us?
At Clayton Utz, you’ll be part of a high-performing national People & Development team that plays a critical role in the firm’s success. This is your opportunity to work alongside senior business leaders and shape the future of our people and the firm.
We offer a collaborative, values-driven culture where your expertise will make a meaningful impact. You’ll have the chance to lead a talented team, drive strategic initiatives, and contribute to a workplace that is committed to excellence, diversity, and inclusion.
This revised version highlights the strategic importance of the role, its partnership with senior leaders, and its leadership of the People & Development team. It also emphasises the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the firm’s people strategy and culture.
How to Apply?
We prefer to work directly with candidates, if you are interested in this role, please click the ‘Apply’ button or contact the consultant, details below, for more information. Clayton Utz is an inclusive employer that supports flexible work arrangements, please feel free to discuss your flexibility needs with the recruiter for this role.
Consultant Contact Details
Lucy Peter [C], (02) 9353 4634Accessibility and Inclusion
We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to provide a positive, barrier-free recruitment process. Do you require any support or reasonable adjustments to complete your application? If so, please contact the recruiter via the above telephone number or via email to [email protected].
For more information on Clayton Utz, please visit www.claytonutz.com or follow us on LinkedIn here.
Agency submissions
Clayton Utz does not accept agency submissions unless the agency is specifically contacted by a member of the Clayton Utz Recruitment Team. Please do not forward candidate profiles or resumes to Clayton Utz partners, hiring managers or other employees - this will not constitute as an introduction to the firm and Clayton Utz will not be liable for a fee.
