People & Culture Manager

Relocate to Katherine or work Australia-wide remotely

What's on offer

Up to $123,000 + super, negotiable on experience and skills

• Full-time role based in Katherine, or fully remote with quarterly travel to the community
• Relocation assistance for candidates moving to Katherine
• A supported handover period, working alongside the current HR lead as you build the role
• Genuine scope to lead the workforce strategy, systems and team
• Regular leadership engagement and travel to Katherine for training and key events
• Ongoing professional development opportunities

A newly created leadership role

Lead strategic HR and industrial relations for VDRC. Partner with the CEO and Executive to build a workforce strategy, resolve employee relations, and grow your own HR team. Travel quarterly to remote NT communities to build trust and relationships.

What you'll be doing

• Partner with the CEO, Executive, and Council to drive strategic workforce direction.
• Lead enterprise bargaining, consultation, and represent VDRC in industrial disputes.
• Build and develop a high-performing HR team to support organisational growth.

Your first 90 days

• Meet the CEO, Director of Corporate Services, Executive team and current HR team, and connect with the person currently handling HR who'll support your transition
• Get across current HR/IR frameworks, workforce data and the state of play on enterprise bargaining and employee relations matters
• Make your first community visit to start building relationships with staff on the ground
• Start shaping the priorities and direction of VDRC's workforce strategy

Who this role suits

You're someone who can hold your own in leadership, and still be the person staff feel genuinely comfortable approaching.

• You've led HR and Industrial Relations at a senior level, and you're not fazed by enterprise bargaining, disputes or the tough conversations that come with the territory
• Your style is warm and welcoming rather than clinical or overly direct – people need to feel put at ease coming to you, not managed
• You're comfortable in complex, regional or culturally diverse settings, and bonus points if that includes local government or remote/Aboriginal communities
• You're flexible and grounded, happy to travel to community and invest in relationships when required

About the company

VDRC serves a vast, culturally rich region in the NT. We deliver essential services to remote communities through local government programs. Renowned for a relationship-first, practical approach, we work with Traditional Owners to support safe, connected communities.

Next step

If you're ready to lead a workforce strategy and a People & Culture function with genuine executive influence and real community impact, this is a rare opportunity.