ABOUT FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION AUSTRALIA
Fire Protection Association Australia (FPA Australia) is the national peak body for fire safety that provides information, services, and education to the fire protection industry and the community it serves.

Our vision is a safer community where loss of life, injury and damage to property and the environment are minimised through effective fire protection. We carry out a variety of activities to engage FPA Australia’s members, customers, and stakeholders to protect life, property, and the environment from fire.

ABOUT THE ROLE
FPA Australia is seeking an experienced and strategic People & Culture Manager to establish and lead our HR function. This is a pivotal role responsible for developing and embedding HR frameworks, policies, and practices that align with our mission and values, ensuring FPA Australia continues to attract, develop, and retain exceptional talent.

You will lead both strategic and operational HR initiatives, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, professional development, employee engagement, compliance, and industrial relations. Your work will directly shape the culture, capabilities, and performance of the organisation while supporting employees to thrive and succeed.

This role requires a proactive and collaborative leader who can translate organisational goals into actionable people and culture strategies, build robust HR systems and processes, and foster a positive, professional workplace environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Establish and continuously improve FPA Australia’s People & Culture function, including HR policies, procedures, and frameworks aligned to strategic objectives.
• Build foundational HR processes such as recruitment, onboarding, performance management, learning and development, employee engagement, wellbeing, and recognition programs.
• Evaluate and implement HR systems for recordkeeping, compliance, reporting, and process automation.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legal and industrial regulations, adapting procedures as required.
• Develop and deliver Learning & Development programs to support organisational goals.
• Lead by example, promoting organisational values, positive culture, and accountability across teams.
• Build strong relationships with internal staff and external stakeholders, providing professional guidance and support.

YOUR EXPERIENCE

• Proven HR leadership experience with the ability to guide, mentor, and develop staff.
• Strong knowledge of HR, People & Culture, or Organisational Behaviour, supported by relevant qualifications.
• Experience developing and implementing HR frameworks, policies, and systems.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to manage sensitive conversations and build trust at all levels.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365, document management systems, and digital HR tools.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, take initiative, and deliver high-quality outcomes.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Proactive, adaptable, and flexible, thriving in a dynamic environment.
• Collaborative, supportive, and committed to fostering teamwork and open communication.
• Detail-oriented with a strong focus on quality and continuous improvement.
• Strong sense of ownership, accountability, and professionalism.
• Committed to personal and professional growth, staying current with HR trends and best practices.

DESIRABLE

• Experience in a not-for-profit or membership-based organisation.

If you are passionate about advocacy and influencing public policy in a safety-critical arena, have the skills and experience to drive our policy agenda and ambitions for membership, and are inspired by the opportunity to make an impact in the world of fire-safety, we would love to hear from you!

We are an equal opportunity employer and actively promote equality for people of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, and for people living with disability. We provide a culturally safe and welcoming environment for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander employees.

If you are interested in this exciting role & meet the criteria, please apply via SEEK here & attach your cover letter & resume. Applicants must be eligible to work in Australia. All applications received will be treated as strictly confidential.