Senior People Business Partner

Who are we?

We’re here to help people live well and create a better and more sustainable future. We support healthy and liveable communities by delivering water, sewerage and recycled water services to 1.77 million people who rely on us every day and every night. At South East Water, we innovate with purpose and act with care to deliver healthy water for life. Fresh thinking and collaboration are at the heart of our organisation. We are constantly learning, embracing the challenges of today and excited by the opportunities that tomorrow will bring.  

The role

Two exciting opportunities have become available for experienced Senior People Business Partners to make a meaningful impact on South East Water’s people experience and culture.

These newly created roles will each have one People Business Partner reporting to them, enhancing your ability to play a pivotal role in providing strategic and operational HR support to leaders across South East Water.

Providing influence at a strategic level, you will partner with executives and leaders to deliver initiatives that build workforce capability, drive organisational performance and foster a safe, inclusive, and high-performing culture.

Effective business partnering, employee relations and change management are key components of the roles, additional to leading and mentoring the People Business Partner to enhance capability.

While no two days look the same, some day-to-day activities will include:

• Implementing workforce strategies that support service delivery and regulatory compliance
• Providing expert advice on organisational design, workforce planning and change management initiatives
• Management of complex employee relations matters including investigations, grievances, and dispute resolution
• Coaching leaders to strengthen people management capability, embedding a culture of accountability and engagement
• Providing support in the negotiation, implementation and compliance of the South East Water Enterprise Agreement

These roles are available on a permanent, full-time basis.

Who are you?

The ideal candidates will hold tertiary qualifications in Human Resources (or related discipline), with extensive HR business partnering experience in a comparably complex environment to match, such as utilities or public sector.  You’ll hold expert knowledge of employment legislation, regulations and industrial relations, as well as the following skills and attributes:

• Exceptional stakeholder engagement, influencing and communication skills, including the ability to develop highly effective working relationships across all levels
• Demonstrable experience leading organisational change and managing sensitive workforce matters
• Leadership capabilities with the desire to coach, mentor and lead
• Exceptional problem solving, analytical and decision-making capabilities
• High levels of initiative with the ability to manage competing, high-priority demands

What's in it for you?

Working at South East Water means you can enjoy a wealth of benefits, starting with the chance to be part of an organisation deeply committed to environmental initiatives and sustainability; one who has been recognised as one of the top 101 Workplaces for Women in Australia by Work180 for the past two consecutive years.   

South East Water cultivates a dynamic culture that emphasises collaboration and strong work ethics, supported by career-focused learning and development opportunities.   As a SEW employee, you can enjoy the following offerings from our benefits package: 

• Access to My Fitness Passport, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), annual flu shots, and health checks.  
• Work-life balance with flexible working arrangements, including hybrid work options and leave purchasing.
• 15 weeks paid parental leave and paid superannuation on eligible portions of unpaid parental leave.
• Additional leave offerings, such as cultural and ceremonial leave and study leave.  
• Head office with modern facilities and panoramic beachfront views, a separate parents' room, a prayer and meditation room and an onsite cafe.
• Flexible parking options, including reserved onsite parking and free offsite parking just a short stroll away.
• Opportunity to be part of great initiatives involving the local community.  

We're for everyone

Our people are as diverse as the communities we serve. It makes us better learners, thinkers and collaborators, helping create better outcomes for our customers.  

We are deeply committed to Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, and we encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQ+ individuals, people with disability and jobseekers of all ages and cultures. We aim to provide an inclusive, accessible workplace where everyone is welcome, safe, and celebrated. If you need any help with the application process or would like to discuss your reasonable adjustments during interviews, please reach out to our Talent team at careers@southeastwater.com.au. 

Keen to make an impact?

Click here to check out the position description. We're accepting applications for this exciting opportunity until Sunday, 1 March 2026! 

To be considered for this opportunity, you must hold unrestricted working rights for the period of employment at the time of application.  Successful candidates will also be required to undergo a number of pre-employment checks, including a police records check 

 
South East Water operates a 24/7 service environment. Whilst this role does not involve after-hours rostered duty, all employees may be required to provide out of hours support from time to time as required. 

Visit southeastwater.com.au to learn more about us and how we serve our customers.