At Merivale , we believe our people are at the heart of everything we do – from iconic venues to unforgettable guest experiences. We’re looking for a People Operations Lead to play a critical role in partnering with senior leaders to execute our People strategy, uplift team capability, and mitigate business risk across the group. This role delivers consistent, high-impact support that enables performance, compliance, and a culture of care. Reporting to the Group Head of People Operations, this role is responsible for delivering high-quality, commercially aligned people partnering. You will hold direct portfolio responsibility for our HQ function and lead a high-performing People Operations team to ensure operational excellence and consistent service delivery. People Partnering Partner with Head Office departments, acting as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and executives Build strong stakeholder relationships to understand business challenges and deliver tailored people solutions Collaborate with the broader People Experience team to deliver group-wide initiatives aligned to business priorities Partner with the Employee Relations Lead to ensure effective management of ER matters Team Leadership & Administration Lead, coach, and develop the People Operations team, fostering a high-performance culture aligned to Merivale’s Leadership Skills Framework Drive operational excellence through continuous improvement across people partnering and lifecycle processes Maintain strong governance, reporting, and documentation standards to ensure compliance and best practice Employee Relations Provide guidance on complex ER matters, including investigations, performance management, and dispute resolution Implement policies and frameworks that mitigate risk while supporting a positive workplace culture Stay current with employment legislation and industry best practice, advising leaders on implications and actions Performance Enablement Execute and embed people plans that drive workforce performance and leadership outcomes Partner with Merivale Academy to operationalise performance management frameworks and processes Lead consultation and wellbeing initiatives that support the physical, mental, and social health of employees Essential Experience & Qualifications Extensive senior HR/People leadership experience in fast‑paced environments Proven track record developing and leading high‑performing teams Strong Employee Relations knowledge with a confident, pragmatic partnering approach Excellent judgement and decision‑making in complex, high‑pressure settings Resilient, composed, and solutions‑focused Tertiary qualifications in HR, Psychology, Business, or related Merivale Employee Benefits 25% staff discount across 90 Merivale venues. Exclusive monthly perks, staff-only rewards and events. Merivale Staff Cellar – access to premium wines at staff pricing. Unlimited career growth with endless development opportunities. Merivale Academy – online and in-person training, including Leadership & Performance, First Aid, Food Safety and more. Professional accreditation support – including Leadership qualifications. Employee Assistance Program – confidential wellbeing and mental health support, provided by Sonder. Employee Referral Program – earn rewards for bringing great people on board.
