Skip to Main Content

Job Title


Manager People and Culture


Company : Careers at Council


Location : Colac, Australia


Created : 2026-03-24


Job Type : Full Time


Job Description

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 posttax fortnightly deductions). Colac, Victoria Overview Colac Otway Shire Council is seeking an experienced and valuesdriven Manager People and Culture to join its senior leadership team. This is a rare opportunity to make a genuine, organisationwide 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 handson delivery in a supportive, collaborative executive environment. Why youll love working at Colac Otway Shire Council 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 valuesdriven 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 southwest 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 Councils people, culture and safety practices support a capable, customerfocused 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 Councils 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, peoplecentred leader with strong technical expertise and the ability to operate at both a strategic and operational level. You bring sound judgement, approachability and a valuesdriven 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 handson, outcomesfocused 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, highperforming teams that work with integrity, openness and initiative. This Is Your Opportunity To Lead a positive, peoplecentred culture Influence meaningful organisational change Enjoy a senior leadership role while embracing an enviable regional lifestyle 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. Apply for this role Visit site Share #J-18808-Ljbffr