People and Culture Advisor

THE ROLE

Do you thrive on helping leaders navigate complex people matters with empathy, fairness, and confidence? Are you passionate about creating workplaces where people feel respected, supported, and empowered to do their best work?

Here’s your opportunity to join YMCA South Australia as a People & Culture Advisor — a key role in strengthening our ‘Y Factor’ culture across the organisation.

Reporting to the People & Culture Advisory Lead, you’ll manage a varied caseload of employee relations matters, from performance and conduct to grievance resolution. You’ll act as a trusted coach and advisor to managers, ensuring fairness, consistency, and compliance in all people processes.

In this role, you will:

• Manage and resolve a diverse range of employee relations matters with professionalism and integrity.
• Conduct fair and objective workplace investigations, escalating high-risk issues where required.
• Provide expert, practical advice on performance management, conduct, and policy application.
• Support leaders in navigating interpersonal conflict and workplace disputes through coaching and mediation.
• Contribute to ER policy development, compliance, and risk management.
• Help build manager capability through training and guidance that fosters confidence and accountability.
• Champion our values and the “Y Factor” by promoting positive, respectful, and inclusive workplace relationships.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced HR or ER professional to join us on a part-time basis (0.6 FTE) who enjoys balancing case management with proactive culture-building — all within a supportive, purpose-driven environment.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Law, or a related field
• 3–5 years’ experience in employee relations, performance management, or a similar HR advisory role
• Sound knowledge of Australian employment law, the Fair Work Act, and modern awards
• Proven experience conducting workplace investigations and managing disciplinary processes
• Strong communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• High level of emotional intelligence with the ability to remain impartial under pressure
• Excellent attention to detail, confidentiality, and record-keeping skills
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple complex cases
• National Criminal History Records Check (issued within the last 6 months) (or willing to obtain)
• DHS Working with Children Check (or willing to obtain)
• International Police Check (if you’ve worked overseas in the last 5 years) (or willing to obtain)
• Current driver’s licence

ABOUT THE Y

YMCA South Australia is a not-for-profit community organisation that has served the South Australian community for more than 170 years. Our aim is to develop the whole person, helping all South Australians connect with a better life - not only physical fitness and capabilities but also sense of identity, purpose, hope and dignity, psychological health, resilience, social connectedness, lifelong learning and contribution back into the community. We are a leading provider of recreation, community, and children’s services and we deliver programs and services across the state in settings including community recreation centres, swimming pools, health and fitness facilities, community centres, camps, early education and schools and youth services.

BENEFITS WITH THE Y

• Free Access - Free access to YMCA SA managed recreation centres (pools, gyms, courts) and for immediate family when visiting together
• YMCA SA Discounts - 20% off programs, classes, café food, merch, and OSHC/Vacation Care services
• Health and Wellbeing - Access to free flu vaccinations and our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with 24/7 support.
• Career Growth Opportunities - A culture of empowerment and growth with ongoing opportunities for learning and career/skill development.

HOW TO APPLY

For a confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact Annie McClement on 0491 915 354 or at annie.mcclement@ymcasa.org.au.

Does this sound like you? Please submit your resume and cover letter via Apply Now! You must address the key selection criteria in your application. Please note, only shortlisted applicants will be notified.

Applications close 16th November 2025.

COMMITMENT TO SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN

At the Y, we're committed to empowering all Children and Young People to feel safe and be safe, at the Y, in their families and in their communities. We ensure all of our candidates are appropriately screened to make sure the right people are in the right roles.

To learn more about our screening processes, view our Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy: https://www.sa.ymca.org.au/who...

YMCA South Australia is an equal opportunity employer committed to safeguarding children, young people, and other vulnerable people.