Ability Works Australia is a purpose-driven social enterprise and industry leader in inclusive employment. We are strengthening our internal capability by recruiting a strategic and experienced HR Manager to drive our people systems, culture, and workforce development.

This is a high-impact opportunity to lead the HR function in a values-led organisation making real social impact every day.

About Ability Works

Ability Works Australia delivers meaningful employment via several unique business units and is recognised for its innovation, community impact, and commitment to inclusion. As we grow and prepare for significant organisational changes—including our Inclusive Employment Australia contract, which commencing November 2025—we are building stronger internal capability to ensure our people, systems, and culture can support this next phase of development.

About the Role

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and working closely with the Chief Executive Officer, the HR Manager leads the entire HR function at Ability Works. This is a dynamic, hands-on role where you will combine strategic people leadership with operational excellence.

You will be a trusted partner to the executive team and leaders across the organisation, providing expert HR advice on workforce strategy, compliance, governance, and capability development. You'll drive culture, engagement, and inclusion while building the workforce frameworks, policies, and systems that support our growth and emerging regulatory obligations, including psychosocial safety and disability employment standards.

What You'll Do

Strategically, you'll partner with the CEO and COO on people-focused strategy, helping shape organisational culture and development priorities. You'll advise on workforce planning, Fair Work compliance, NDIS worker screening and regulatory standards, and emerging obligations under psychosocial safety legislation. You'll coach and support leaders across the organisation to manage effectively and confidently.

Operationally, you'll lead the full HR lifecycle: recruitment and selection, employment contracting and award compliance, performance management, remuneration and benefits, and employee relations including the investigation and resolution of staff grievances and disputes. You'll take responsibility for workplace culture and employee engagement, optimise our Employment Hero HR system, maintain compliance frameworks, and use data and analytics to inform leadership decisions.

You'll also play a hands-on role in fostering an exceptional, inclusive workplace for all staff, ensuring we practice what we preach as an inclusive employer.

About You

You are an experienced, practical HR professional with a values-led approach to people management. You thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments where you can solve complex HR challenges, build trusted relationships across all levels, and drive positive outcomes for both the organisation and its people.

You will bring:

• Minimum 4–5 years' HR experience at a Manager level (or demonstrated capability to step up from Coordinator/Specialist level)
• Strong knowledge of Fair Work legislation, employment contracts, and performance and grievance management in Australian workplaces
• Experience with NDIS compliance and/or disability services environments (highly desirable)
• Proven ability to investigate and resolve workplace disputes with impartiality and sound judgment
• Capability to advise on and implement HR strategy and policy frameworks
• Excellent organisational and analytical skills, with strong attention to detail
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work confidently with sensitive, confidential matters
• Values-led leadership and the ability to build trust across the organisation
• Proficiency with modern HR systems and data analytics (Employment Hero experience is an advantage)
• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional HR qualification and demonstrated experience

Mandatory Requirements

• NDIS Worker Screening Check clearance
• Working With Children Check (Employee)
• Current Police Check
• Full working rights in Australia

Why Join Us?

• Hybrid work flexibility
• Salary packaging to boost your take-home pay
• Supportive executive leadership and a genuinely values-driven culture
• Meaningful work with real social impact in the disability employment sector
• Opportunities to influence and shape organisational capability

Ready to make a difference?

Apply with your resume and a cover letter (200–300 words) explaining what attracts you to this role and why you're the right fit for Ability Works.

We are committed to building an inclusive workplace and welcome applications from people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people from diverse cultural backgrounds. If you have the skills and passion for this role, we encourage you to apply.

We provide reasonable adjustments and support throughout the recruitment process—please let us know if you need any accommodations.