Manager - Human Resources

Position No: 1007.1
Salary: $122,810.48pa to $138,224.32pa plus 12% Superannuation
Position Status: Permanent Full Time
Hours of Work: 35 Hour Week with RDO every Fortnight
Closing Date: 5.00pm Sunday 18 January 2026

About Cowra & Council
Cowra is located within beautiful Central NSW on the banks of the Lachlan River. It is approximately one hour from the regional hubs of Bathurst and Orange, two hours from Canberra and four hours from Sydney. The town is situated at the intersection of three state highways: the Mid-Western Highway, the Olympic Highway and the Lachlan Valley Way, making it a central hub for travel, freight and logistics.

Cowra Council employs over 200 full time equivalent staff. Our vision is to be a leading, innovative and creative community, proud of our place in history and offering opportunity with the best of country living. The region enjoys a range of economic, social, educational and health services with a welcoming community that embraces new members from all backgrounds. We strive to provide, maintain and extend Council services to improve the quality of life for residents throughout the Shire. We aim to actively lead, facilitate and foster sustainable development and wealth generating opportunities through agricultural, industrial, commercial and tourism growth.

About the Opportunity
Join Cowra Council as our next Human Resources Manager and play a pivotal role in shaping a positive, high- performing workplace that supports our community-focused mission. This is an opportunity to lead meaningful organisational development, drive innovative HR strategies, and influence the employees experience across a diverse and dedicated workforce. At Cowra Council your expertise will help foster a culture of collaboration, wellbeing and continuous improvement, backed by supportive leadership and a commitment to professional excellence. You will have the autonomy to modernise HR practices, champion talent development, and enhance engagement while enjoying the work-life balance and lifestyle benefits unique to our vibrant regional community. If you are a strategic thinker, an inspiring leader, and passionate about building strong, people-centred organisations, we invite you to bring vision and energy to Cowra Council - and help us empower our people to deliver exceptional outcomes for the community we proudly serve.
About the Role
As the Manager - Human Resources, you will provide strategic leadership, expert advice, and operational oversight across the full spectrum of Human Resources and Safety functions. You will guide Council in attracting, developing, and retaining a skilled workforce, while ensuring our WHS systems support a proactive, prevention-focused safety culture.

Reporting to the General Manager and working closely with the Executive Team and Managers, you will influence organisational direction and champion initiatives that build capability, engagement and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Develop and deliver contemporary HR and WHS strategies aligned with Council’s corporate objectives.

Provide high-level, best-practice advice on people management, organisational change, performance, and workplace relations.

Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of Council’s Workforce Management Strategy, ensuring alignment with current and future organisational needs.

Lead, coach, and support a small team of HR (2) & WHS (1) professionals to deliver efficient and responsive services.

Lead and manage training and wellbeing functions to ensure compliant, efficient, and service-oriented operations.

Oversee the implementation and monitoring of WHS frameworks, systems, and processes to maintain a safe and healthy work environment.

Manage Council's Workers Compensation portfolio.

Build strong, collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders, unions, and external agencies.

Guide workforce planning, talent management, recruitment, learning and development, and organisational culture initiatives.

Ensure compliance with relevant NSW legislation, awards, industrial instruments, and Council policies.

Provide strategic input into organisational development, risk management, and continuous improvement initiatives.


About You
You are a highly skilled HR leader with demonstrated experience - preferably within Local Government or the public sector. You bring strong knowledge of employment law, industrial relations, and contemporary HR and WHS practices. Your communication skills, professional judgement, and ability to build trust will be essential to your success.

Essential Requirements

Tertiary qualifications in Human Resources or a related field.

Demonstrated senior-level experience leading HR and/or WHS functions.

Strong understanding of NSW industrial relations frameworks, employment legislation, and WHS compliance requirements.

Proven ability to develop strategy, lead change, and build organisational capability.

Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.


Why Join Us?

Play a key strategic role in shaping the future of our workforce and culture.

Work within a supportive Executive Team committed to innovation and continuous improvement.

Enjoy the benefits of Local Government employment, including work-life balance and community impact.


The Benefits
Benefits of working at Council include:


Fortnightly rostered day off (RDO)

Four weeks of annual leave per year

Access to long service leave after five years

Three weeks sick leave per year

Corporate wellbeing programs, including fitness passport and health and wellbeing initiatives including two (2) health and wellbeing days per year.

Employee benefits program

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Paid parental leave


In addition, we value work-life balance and offer opportunities for training and professional development.

Position Description
Please click on the link for a full copy of the Position Description.

For further enquiries please contact the General Manager - Paul Devery (02) 6340 2013.

How to Apply
Before you apply for this position, please read the position description carefully to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position. You will be required to answer questions relating to the selection criteria on the online application below. Your answers will be accessed and rated, so please ensure you take time in providing your answers and give examples of demonstrated experience when requested.

You will also be asked to attach your current resume which should include two employment related referees. Please note that you cannot submit your application without attaching your resume. A cover letter is not mandatory but may be added if so desired.

Candidates must have the right to live and work in Australia to apply for this position.

If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise at time of application.

Applications Close: 5.00pm Sunday 18 January 2026

Pre-employment Screening
In the event you are shortlisted for an interview, and are then selected to progress to the next stage following interview, you must be prepared to undergo the following pre-employment screening processes as part of the selection process:


A pre-employment physical examination, including hearing, drug & alcohol assessments.

Please include two referees in your resume for reference checking purposes - please ensure your referee details are current.

Provide the applicable Working with Children Check number if the role applied for requires a Working with Children Check.

Council may also check authenticity of certificates and qualifications.


Privacy Statement
As part of the recruitment process, Cowra Shire Council will be collecting information about you. This information is private information for the purposes of the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act. This information will be included in the recruitment file and only accessed by members of the Recruitment Selection Panel.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Cowra Shire Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer that fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion. We welcome candidates from diverse backgrounds and experiences, as we believe in building an inclusive work environment that reflects the community we serve.