General Manager - People & Culture
Location: Melbourne -CBD
State: VIC
Worktype: Full Time
About the role
As General Manager – People & Culture, you will play a critical strategic role in shaping our client’s future direction. Reporting to the CEO and working as part of a close-knit General Manager cohort and the Operations Committee, this Melbourne-based role (with some travel required) leads the design and delivery of people-focused strategies that strengthen organisational performance, enhance employee wellbeing, and support the firm’s evolution in an AI-driven legal environment. You will lead a small HR team while overseeing key functions such as talent and succession planning, governance and compliance, end-to-end recruitment, and market-informed remuneration insights.
You will also guide the development of this commercial law firms capability through effective L&D strategy, coaching, and staff development initiatives. The role oversees performance cycles, graduate and clerkship programs, induction, CPD, and staff benefits, while driving engagement through cultural and wellbeing initiatives.
Duties
In this role you will:
Ideally, you will:
Our client is a highly regarded commercial law firm offering a competitive remuneration, flexible work arrangements, and a genuinely collaborative culture where your contributions are valued. You’ll enjoy ongoing professional development, mentoring, and training within an inclusive environment that fosters both career growth and work-life balance.
How to apply
To express your interest, simply click on the Apply button.
Alternatively, for a confidential discussion, please contact:
Sharon Henderson l Partner
Legal People
M: 0418 361 199
E: sharon@legalpeople.com.au
Our Ref: 3989999
As General Manager – People & Culture, you will play a critical strategic role in shaping our client’s future direction. Reporting to the CEO and working as part of a close-knit General Manager cohort and the Operations Committee, this Melbourne-based role (with some travel required) leads the design and delivery of people-focused strategies that strengthen organisational performance, enhance employee wellbeing, and support the firm’s evolution in an AI-driven legal environment. You will lead a small HR team while overseeing key functions such as talent and succession planning, governance and compliance, end-to-end recruitment, and market-informed remuneration insights.
You will also guide the development of this commercial law firms capability through effective L&D strategy, coaching, and staff development initiatives. The role oversees performance cycles, graduate and clerkship programs, induction, CPD, and staff benefits, while driving engagement through cultural and wellbeing initiatives.
Duties
In this role you will:
- Shape the firm’s future direction , guiding how it adapts and thrives in an AI-driven legal environment.
- Elevate the employee and client experience by rethinking how legal work is delivered.
- Build firm-wide capability through smart L&D strategy, effective coaching, and targeted staff development.
- Lead talent and succession planning , including key reporting to the Board.
- Oversee governance and compliance , ensuring policies, audits, and CPD obligations are met.
- Run end-to-end recruitment and provide market-informed salary insights.
- Run the performance and appraisal cycle , including bi-annual KPI conversations for lawyers and annual KPI discussions for administration staff.
- Oversee the Graduate and Seasonal Clerkship program.
- Deliver induction, L&D programs and firm-wide CPD.
- Manage the staff benefits programs , including the Employee Assistance Program.
- Drive staff engagement , from morning teas to major cultural and wellbeing initiatives such as social clubs, Wear It Purple Day and R U OK? Day.
Ideally, you will:
- Be a strategic, future-focused GM with a strong commitment to workforce capability, people development and operational excellence.
- Demonstrate the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams through periods of change , fostering alignment, clarity and high performance.
- Have hands-on experience overseeing the full spectrum of HR service delivery , ensuring high-quality outcomes.
- Show a track record in identifying, developing and implementing modern, forward-thinking management approaches that respond to emerging business needs.
- Confidently guide organisational capability in an AI-enabled future , championing new ways of working and improved service experiences.
- Bring strong judgement in talent, succession, and leadership development , supported by data-driven insights and clear communication with senior stakeholders.
- Demonstrate fluency in governance, compliance, policy implementation and workforce planning , ensuring robust frameworks and continuous improvement.
Our client is a highly regarded commercial law firm offering a competitive remuneration, flexible work arrangements, and a genuinely collaborative culture where your contributions are valued. You’ll enjoy ongoing professional development, mentoring, and training within an inclusive environment that fosters both career growth and work-life balance.
How to apply
To express your interest, simply click on the Apply button.
Alternatively, for a confidential discussion, please contact:
Sharon Henderson l Partner
Legal People
M: 0418 361 199
E: sharon@legalpeople.com.au
Our Ref: 3989999
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