Aspire is entering its next phase of growth — 42 services today, with 20 new centres opening each year. To support this, we’re seeking an experienced People & Talent leader to step into a 12‑month parental leave cover , with potential ongoing opportunities as the organisation continues to scale. You will step into the role with a structured handover from the current Head of People & Talent , who commences parental leave in early August . A detailed handover plan is already in place to ensure continuity across key strategic priorities, including workforce strategy , leadership capability , HRIS implementation and organisational design . This role leads a multidisciplinary People & Talent team and supports a workforce of ~1,400 employees across VIC, NSW and WA. While the position is fixed-term, Aspire’s growth trajectory means there may be future pathways. About the Role This is a senior, hands-on leadership role responsible for leading a team of ~10 across HR Business Partnering, Talent Acquisition, Systems & Processes, Return to Work, and Training & Development. You’ll support ~1,400 employees across VIC, NSW and WA, while enabling the successful opening of new services and ensuring our people frameworks scale with the business. Working closely with the Managing Director and senior leaders, you will play a key role in: Driving a high-performing People & Talent function Shaping workforce strategy to support growth, structure and scalability Embedding a data-led approach to workforce and business decision-making Acting as an escalation point for complex and high-risk employee matters Supporting the implementation and adoption of a new HRIS alongside a Project Manager Taking ownership of key strategic projects handed over during transition This role is fully onsite at our South Yarra Support Office. What You’ll Do Lead the People & Talent Function Lead, coach and develop a multidisciplinary People & Talent team (~10) Oversee recruitment, onboarding, engagement and ER support across 42 services Act as an escalation point for complex ER matters Ensure compliance with legislation, awards and internal frameworks Drive Workforce Strategy & Organisational Design Partner with the Managing Director and senior leaders to drive people strategy aligned to business performance Lead workforce planning and organisational design Support 15–20 new centre openings, embedding strong people practices from day one Lead and support organisational change initiatives Take ownership of strategic projects handed over during transition, including workforce strategy and org design Use Data to Inform Decisions Translate workforce data (turnover, ER, absenteeism, engagement, RTW) into actionable insights Provide regular reporting and insights to leadership Identify trends and proactively address workforce risks Lift Leadership Capability & Culture Drive leadership capability, succession planning and talent development Own engagement and culture initiatives Oversee Return to Work and safety-related people initiatives Enable Systems & Process Uplift Partner with a HRIS Project Manager to support system rollout, adoption and process uplift Strengthen people processes, systems and reporting to support scale and consistency About You You’re a confident, commercially minded People leader who is comfortable operating at both a strategic and operational level. You bring: Experience leading a People & Talent / HR function in a multi-site environment Experience in organisations of similar scale and complexity (high-growth, 1,000 employees preferred) Proven leadership of a team of ~8–12 across multiple HR disciplines Strong capability in employee relations and complex case management Experience using people data and metrics to inform decisions Proven ability to influence and partner at executive level Strong commercial thinking and a solutions-focused approach Highly regarded: Experience with Employment Hero Exposure to Workday or similar enterprise HRIS Why Choose Aspire? At Aspire, you’ll be part of a growing organisation where you can make a real impact — while being supported to do your best work. A team that values connection, inclusion and shared success Regular team events and monthly lunches at our South Yarra office 24/7 Employee Assistance Program Up to 50% childcare discount across Aspire centres Paid birthday leave Dedicated Wellbeing Leave Ongoing development and networking opportunities Clear pathways for progression as Aspire continues to expand We are committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment that promotes child safety, well-being and cultural awareness. We welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and those from culturally diverse backgrounds.
