Head of HR Services & Operational Excellence

The Head of HR Services and Operational Excellence is a strategic leadership role responsible for driving payroll governance and pay compliance across the organisation. With a strong emphasis on HR policy direction, compliance frameworks, and technology vendor optimisation, this role ensures that HR operations are underpinned by robust governance and data integrity.

It plays a critical part in interpreting industrial relations and employment legislation to inform compliant enterprise agreements, while also overseeing data governance, reporting, and analytics to support informed decision-making and continuous improvement.

This is a permanent, full-time opportunity. Given the nature of the role, it can be based from Brisbane (Carole Park) or Sydney (Macquarie Park).

What you’ll be doing

• Develop and maintain the WIS Pay Compliance and Governance Strategy to achieve high pay maturity and maintain payroll error rates below 0.5%.
• Ensure all compensation practices comply with relevant legislation through regular audits and reviews.
• Drive operational excellence by identifying and implementing process improvements and best practices in payroll operations.
• Oversee the operation and optimisation of HR systems including Dayforce, Kronos, Sum Total, Culture Amp, Grace ELO, and Silk Road (or future onboarding platforms).
• Ensure data integrity and efficient use of HR technology resources.
• Develop and manage the HR systems roadmap aligned with business needs and future growth.
• Lead the integration of emerging technologies, including AI, into HR strategies and operations to enhance capacity, productivity, and employee experience.
• Develop and govern HR policies, procedures, and programs to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Provide strategic oversight of employment and industrial relations, ensuring accurate interpretation of legislation and enterprise agreements.
• Manage and promote engagement with WIZERD, the internal HR knowledge hub.
• Enhance HR reporting capabilities by developing dashboards and tools that provide actionable insights into HR performance.
• Lead data governance initiatives to ensure accuracy, security, and compliance in HR data management.
• Prepare and present reports for ARC, Pay Compliance reviews, and Board-level reporting as required.
• Collaborate with HR leadership to align HR services with broader business and HR strategy.
• Manage the HR services budget, ensuring cost-effective delivery and resource optimisation.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement and compliance across HR operations.

Who we’re looking for

At our company, we value not only our great brands but also the people and teams that drive our success. In addition to technical skills, we seek team members who possess the following personable qualities:

• Strong work ethic and are committed to showing up for a team
• Openness to receive coaching and embrace self reflection and self growth
• Accountability for your actions, and emotions, and actively venture beyond your comfort zone
• Embrace innovation, take calculated risks, and inspire others to think outside the box
• Ability to build meaningful relationships, we prioritise our customers. Balancing commercial goals with customer satisfaction is key
• Ethical standards and demonstrating honesty and integrity in all interactions is fundamental to our team culture.

What we’re looking for

You will be highly commercial and possess strong communication skills to influence stakeholders at all levels. Along with your business acumen, you will have:

• Minimum undergraduate degree in Business, Commerce, or Human Resource Management, with at least 10 years’ experience in HR operations, including policy development and compliance.
• Proven track record in payroll governance and pay compliance, with strong knowledge of employment legislation and enterprise agreement interpretation.
• Demonstrated experience in HR systems and technology (e.g. Dayforce, Kronos, Sum Total), including leading system implementations and managing vendor relationships.
• Strong project and change management capabilities, with at least 5 years’ experience leading large-scale HR transformation initiatives.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, with a data-driven mindset and experience in developing HR reporting frameworks and dashboards.

What we Offer:

• Salary package inclusive of short and long term incentives
• Hybrid working arrangements with work from home days
• Ability to leverage expertise and have an impact
• Opportunity to grow and develop your career in a national business
• Access to retail and corporate partner discounts (including Bunnings, Kmart, and Officeworks)
• Onsite parking available

Our story

Wesfarmers Industrial and Safety (WIS) is a leading supplier of industrial, safety and workwear products, and services to a wide range of customers, including Australia and New Zealand’s largest corporate and government entities. As a fast-growing division of Wesfarmers, our business has a proud history and includes amazing Australian businesses such as Blackwoods, Bullivants, Cm3, and Workwear Group.

Next steps

If you meet most of the criteria listed above and would like to be considered for this opportunity, please send your application today. We will be contacting suitable candidates as we receive them.

As part of our recruitment process and commitment to safety, you may be required to undertake background checks (which may include a police check, a pre-employment medical assessment; and/or drug & alcohol testing) as part of your application process.

Wesfarmers Industrial & Safety also promotes diversity and inclusion across our workplaces and encourages applications from all backgrounds, including people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, the LGBTI+ community and people with disabilities.

Wesfarmers Industrial & Safety does not accept unsolicited applications. All applications should be made directly through the careers website.