Senior HR Business Partner

Senior HR Business Partner

About the role

As the Senior HR Business Partner for H&B Defence, you will play a central role in delivering the People Strategy across a unique joint‑venture environment that brings together personnel from our shareholder organisations. Operating with a high degree of autonomy, you will partner closely with the Chief People Officer and senior leaders to shape and implement strategic and operational HR initiatives that directly support the organisation’s mission to Transform Australia’s industry so the nation can own and operate Nuclear Powered Submarines and become a 21st century industrial sea power and long‑term objectives.

You will guide leaders through workforce planning, organisational design, talent considerations, and contributing to the people process and framework to meet H&B Defence’s goals and shareholder expectations. Your work will ensure consistency of people practices across the Joint Venture (JV), strengthen collaboration between diverse teams, and foster a cohesive culture grounded in our values and commitments of integrity, respect, accountability, safety, excellence, and care for one another.

In this role, you will provide thoughtful analysis and insights to inform decision‑making, translate HR strategy into practical actions for leaders and embedded personnel, and support the development of capability across the organisation. You will navigate complex employment relations matters, including those involving secondees and shareholder representatives, while offering clear, confident guidance on legislation, policy, and organisational impacts.

You will also lead and support change initiatives, applying structured methodologies to help the business adapt effectively and sustainably. Continuous improvement will be a natural part of your approach, identifying opportunities to enhance processes and outcomes across the people portfolio. As a leader, you will model the organisation’s values, contribute to a strong safety culture, and ensure compliance with Trade Control requirements. Some travel within Australia and overseas will be required as part of your engagement with stakeholders across the JV.

About you

You are an experienced HR professional who thrives in complex, multi‑stakeholder environments and brings a confident, strategic mindset to your work. Your background includes partnering with senior leaders, navigating organisational ambiguity, and delivering people initiatives that create meaningful business impact. You are comfortable operating independently, making informed decisions, and influencing at all levels.

You bring strong capability in workforce planning, organisational design, and the interpretation of employment legislation, and you are adept at managing sensitive employment related matters with sound judgement and professionalism. Your ability to analyse data, draw insights, and translate strategy into practical, actionable outcomes sets you apart as a trusted advisor.

You value collaboration and understand the nuances of working within joint‑venture or matrixed structures. You are committed to building capability in others, strengthening engagement, and fostering a culture where people feel supported, respected, and aligned to a shared mission.

Above all, you embody the values of H&B Defence—acting with integrity, showing respect, taking accountability, prioritising safety, striving for excellence, and supporting those around you. You are motivated by meaningful work and ready to contribute to an organisation that plays a vital role in Australia’s defence capability.

To thrive in this role, you’ll be comfortable working in a dynamic, continually evolving environment and you will bring:

• Demonstrated experience in a HR Business Partner position at an operational level
• Significant exposure to broader HR functions and areas within a People and Safety Function
• Experience in developing, and documenting HR processes
• Experience interpreting relevant legislation, regulations, Awards, and Industrial Agreements
• Experience rolling out HR initiatives or projects (Highly desirable)
• Experience working in a joint-venture or alliance (highly desirable)
• Secondary qualification in HR such as Diploma of Human Resources, or associated field mandatory 
• Be able to obtain and maintain a Commonwealth Defence Security Clearance as defined by AGSVA guidelines

Your future at Babcock – what we offer you   
    
•    We provide an agile work environment where you’re able to work onsite and remotely, and to set you up for this we provide a laptop and working from home kit if required, in addition we offer compressed hours which can provide you even more flexibility;   
•    Our work life integration policy brings together leave entitlements which include annual leave, wellbeing leave, volunteer leave, paid parental leave, defence reservist leave plus more;   
•    We will provide you with a supportive and engaging environment where you can grow your career, supported by our capability framework plus ongoing access to self-led learning modules through LinkedIn Learning and access to study leave;   
•    You’ll have access to beRewarded which will provide you with endless discounts across retail, health, entertainment, travel and much  
more, plus novated leasing options and corporate shares plan;   
•    Your wellbeing is supported through our online wellbeing program Munch, Mind, Move, Money, access to our employee assistance program plus wellbeing leave;   
•    You’ll be able to participate in our weRecognise program which is an opportunity to recognise the outstanding work our people do each and every day in living our principles which are Be kind, Collaborate, Be Curious, Think Outcomes, Be Courageous and Own & Deliver.   
   
Who we are  

Babcock International Group, the aerospace and defence company, has been trusted to deliver bespoke, highly skilled engineering services for over a century.   
   
Across Australia and New Zealand, Babcock has grown to a team of over 1,500 talented people, and we are on a path of continued growth and expansion. We operate across sectors such as defence, commercial marine, aviation, airports, communications, emergency services and engineering consultancy.   
   
Some of the programs our team across Australia and New Zealand are proud to be a part of involve:   
   
•    Providing emergency medical and search & rescue aviation services through our Aviation & Critical Services business;   
•    Designing and supporting key systems for submarines and surface ships through our Marine business;   
•    Providing fleet wide through life support and asset management services for Navy customers;  • Managing critical assets for a range of sectors through our Mission & Support Systems business.   
   
So, if you would like to join us and help create a safe and secure world, together, please apply via the ‘Apply Now’ button below.   
   
To learn more about us visit www.babcock.com.au   
   
Job req #70935
 
   
We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds and experience however, due to the defence orientation of this role, the successful candidate must be eligible to obtain an appropriate level of Commonwealth Personnel Security Clearance, as defined in the AGSVA guidelines.   
   
Please note, should your application progress you may be required to complete pre-employment checks.  These checks may include but not limited to, reference checks, police check, security check, qualifications and right to work.   
   
Babcock Australasia is a Circle Back Initiative Employer - we commit to respond to every applicant.