People and Culture Manager

Location
Alexandria NSW 2015
 
Benefits
Pulled from the full job description
Salary packaging
 
Full job description
People & Culture Manager

Full-Time | Hybrid (Alexandria Hub & WFH) | Option for 4-Day Week

Reports to: CEO

Location: Alexandria, Sydney (ideally 3–4 days in-office, 1–2 days WFH)

About Co-Hive

Co-Hive is a purpose-driven and fast-growing organisation based in Alexandria, Sydney, dedicated to supporting young adults with disability aged 17–35 as they transition from school to adult life. In just 18 months, Co-Hive has emerged as a game-changing service — winning “Best New Disability Service” at the Australian Disability Service Awards and gaining national recognition for doing things differently.

We’re here to fill a critical gap. Too often, young people with disability leave school full of dreams, but quickly lose direction as they face a system that isn’t built for them. Co-Hive is rewriting that story — helping participants build skills, confidence, and independence through hands-on, person-led programs that lead to real outcomes in open employment, social connection, and independent living.

Our model is bold, creative, and grounded in real relationships. We co-design every program with participants and their families and work closely with employers, educators, and community partners to build pathways that truly empower. Our work is guided by the core values of self-determination, inclusion, and possibility.

With strong demand and a growing reputation, Co-Hive is now preparing to expand across NSW and beyond. This is a rare opportunity to join a team at the forefront of change — and help shape the future of an organisation already making a profound difference in people’s lives.

About the Role

We’re seeking a highly experienced People & Culture leader to join our management and executive team. You’ll bring a strategic, commercially minded approach to workforce planning, risk mitigation, and organisational development — while championing a safe, inclusive, and high-performing culture.

This is not a role for someone who wants to sit back — we need a hands-on builder who’s ready to get things moving quickly. You’ll be responsible for designing and leading Co-Hive’s recruitment, onboarding, and workforce development strategy from the ground up. As the first dedicated People & Culture Manager, you’ll have a rare opportunity to shape Co-Hive’s internal culture, hiring frameworks, and team structures to support our long-term goals.

You’ll work closely with the CEO and leadership team, leading the people and culture function across all departments and overseeing a full-time experienced HR Assistant and Hub and Social Engagement Coordinator. You will also oversee the implementation of our HRIS (Employment Hero) and manage compliance across SCHADS Award and NDIS standards. In addition, you’ll lead the successful application and roll-out of Co-Hive’s Public Benevolent Institution (PBI) status — including unlocking staff benefits and salary packaging opportunities.

We are a small but mighty team — currently fewer than 10 full-time staff — with strong values, big energy, and bold plans for growth. This is a true leadership position with significant growth potential. You’ll be fundamental to Co-Hive’s success and expansion over the coming years.

Key Responsibilities

Develop and implement a whole-organisation People & Culture Strategy aligned with Co-Hive’s mission and strategic direction
Deliver a clear HR roadmap with milestones, metrics, and input from across the business
Champion a workplace culture that promotes psychological safety, high performance, and inclusion
Partner closely with the executive team to forecast staffing needs and support strategic workforce planning
Drive change and innovation in recruitment, onboarding, and retention across all departments
Oversee the implementation of Co-Hive’s PBI status and ensure associated staff benefits are set up and understood
Build and embed HR policies, procedures, and frameworks to support a growing organisation
Lead implementation and use of Employment Hero as our HR system
Ensure legal and regulatory compliance with Fair Work Act, NES, SCHADS Award, and NDIS Practice Standards
Manage the full employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, probation, professional development, performance, and exit
Coordinate WorkCover claims and return-to-work processes as needed
Lead and mentor the People and Culture Administrator to ensure timely and accurate HR administration
Lead and mentor the Hub and Social Engagement Coordinator providing guidance, support, and development opportunities to ensure strong community engagement and alignment with Co-Hive’s values and strategic goals
Coach department leaders on performance management, leadership skills, and staff development
Design and oversee an annual professional development program to build staff capability
Monitor team satisfaction and wellbeing, and lead initiatives that support staff retention and growth
About You – Skills & Experience

You’re a confident, proactive, and values-driven People and Culture leader who is energised by growth and systems building. You’re excited about being part of something early-stage and meaningful, and you thrive in fast-moving environments where every day brings something new.

Tertiary qualifications in Human Resources or a related field
Minimum 4 - 5 years’ experience in an HR leadership or management role
Proven experience building HR functions, systems, and processes from the ground up
Strong working knowledge of employment law, compliance, and industrial relations (SCHADS/NDIS knowledge ideal)
Experience with HRIS platforms (preferably Employment Hero)
Excellent interpersonal and coaching skills — you build trust quickly and communicate clearly
A practical, hands-on leadership style and the confidence to work across all levels of an organisation
A strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and empowering others to thrive
A passion for building great teams and delivering purpose-driven impact
Why Join Co-Hive?

Help shape the future of a rapidly growing organisation making a real difference
Strategic leadership role with strong influence and visibility
Flexible working arrangements including 4-day week option
Additional paid Wellness Leave days each year
Be part of a close-knit, passionate team building something that matters
Hybrid structure: ideally 3–4 days onsite at our Alexandria hub, with 1–2 days WFH
We’re also in the process of registering as a Public Benevolent Institution (PBI), hoping for approval in the next six months. This will allow us to offer salary packaging benefits, helping you significantly increase your take-home pay.
How to Apply

To apply, please send the following to employment@cohive.com.au

A short video introducing yourself
A one-page cover letter
Your resume
Applications close: 6 August 2025Interviews held at Co-Hive in Alexandria the following week

Pay Rate: 120-140k AUD full time

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $120,000.00 – $140,000.00 per year

Work Authorisation:

Australia (Preferred)
Work Location: In person

Application Deadline: 06/08/2025

 

Australia
New South Wales
Alexandria Show on map Get directions