Full job description

Introduction:

About Us

For over 65 years, JK Williams has been more than a civil contractor — we’ve been builders of communities, forgers of lasting relationships, and dedicated to establishing a legacy of excellence across Australia’s east coast.

As a proud family-owned business, we know that our greatest asset isn’t the machinery we operate or the infrastructure we deliver — it’s our people. The dedication, expertise, and commitment of our team is what has made us a recognised leader in civil construction and infrastructure, known for innovation, quality, and integrity.

Our rich history hasn’t just shaped who we are — it’s positioned us for an exciting future. And we want the right people alongside us for the journey.

Description:

About the role

This is a senior, HR Manager role leading the people function at JK Williams Group — a well-established construction and civil services business with approximately 300 employees across NSW and QLD.

Reporting directly to the CEO, you’ll have full ownership of the HR function and lead a three-person team comprising an HR Business Partner and a Talent Acquisition Specialist. The role is both strategic and operational — you’ll be shaping people strategy and advising at the executive level one day, and hands-on in the detail of a complex ER matter or FWC conciliation the next.

This is a role for an experienced HR professional who is equally comfortable shaping strategy and getting into the detail — someone who earns credibility quickly in a hands-on, site-based environment and takes genuine ownership of everything from workforce planning to workers’ compensation.

What you’ll be doing

Partnering with the CEO and senior leadership team to shape and deliver the people strategy across a multi-state construction business

Leading, coaching, and developing the HR team (HR Business Partner and Talent Acquisition Specialist)

Managing complex ER matters end-to-end — performance management, misconduct, investigations, terminations, and redundancies

Representing the business at FWC conciliations and hearings, and coordinating legal support as required

Providing practical ER and IR advice across both Award-covered and EA environments

Overseeing workers’ compensation and RTW coordination across NSW and QLD, working closely with the HSEQ team

Driving culture, engagement, and organisational development initiatives aligned to company values

Overseeing end-to-end recruitment with the Talent Acquisition Specialist, including salary benchmarking and workforce planning

Managing HR policy, compliance, and reporting — including monthly HR metrics to the CEO

Overseeing the HRIS (ELMO) and ensuring data integrity, system currency, and best practice record-keeping

Undertaking site visits across NSW and QLD as required

Skills and Experiences:

What we’re looking for

10+ years’ HR experience, with demonstrated tenure in a senior HR Manager or equivalent role

Strong, hands-on ER and IR capability — you’ve managed complex matters independently and know how to navigate FWC processes

Experience managing workers’ compensation and RTW across multiple states

Confident working in both Award-covered and Enterprise Agreement environments

Proven ability to lead and develop an HR team

The credibility and communication style to work effectively with operational managers, site supervisors, and executive leadership

Experience in construction, civil, mining, trades, or a similarly hands-on, site-based industry is highly preferred

Strong written communication — able to produce clear, accurate ER documentation, board-level reports, and policy

Experience negotiating EA or EBA advantageous

• Experience with an HRIS (ELMO or similar) advantageous