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Why work for us

The Municipal Association of Victoria is the peak representative and lobbying body for Victoria's local councils. We were formed in 1879 and the Municipal Association Act 1907 appointed the MAV the official voice of local government in Victoria.

Today, we are a driving and influential force behind a strong and strategically positioned local government sector. Our role is to represent and advocate the interests of local government, lobby for a 'fairer deal' for councils, raise the sector's profile, ensure its long-term security and provide policy advice, strategic advice, capacity building programs and insurance services to local government.

We value diversity and employ young people, mature-age workers, working parents, people with disabilities, and people from Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander and non-English speaking backgrounds.

Our motto is 'pro bono publico' – for the public good. Through our activities, we improve the lives of all Victorians and you can help us in our valuable work.

Our values-based, diverse, inclusive and flexible culture enables our people to bring their whole selves to work and creates an energising working environment, ensuring our people feel good, cared for and proud to work for us.

Our values are – Walk the Talk, Lead with Impact, Service Excellence, Our Smarts, and Care and Responsibility and are embedded across the organisation.

Current Vacancy

People and Culture lead

Lead the MAV’s People & Culture function, combining strategic advice with hands-on delivery to strengthen leadership capability, employee experience and contemporary people practices.

The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) is the representative peak body for the local government sector in Victoria. We provide advocacy, strategic advice, build sector capability, and support local government in creating thriving, inclusive and resilient communities across the state.

As the MAV continues its organisational transformation, strong leadership, contemporary people practices and a positive workplace culture are critical to our success. This newly established role offers the opportunity to influence organisational priorities, strengthen leader confidence and accountability, and build practical, sustainable People & Culture practices.

Position Overview:

The People & Culture (P&C) Lead is a newly established, standalone role responsible for the entire employee lifecycle and the strategic and operational leadership of the MAV’s people function.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, you will serve as both a trusted strategic advisor and a hands-on practitioner, partnering with the Executive team and People Leaders across the organisation. You will provide advice and delivery across employee and industrial relations, leadership coaching, workforce planning, remuneration, recruitment, culture, wellbeing, people governance and organisational change. This role suits an experienced generalist who applies sound judgement, influences with credibility and works confidently with a high degree of autonomy.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Lead the end-to-end employee lifecycle, from attraction and recruitment through onboarding, performance, development and offboarding.
  • Develop and deliver contemporary people initiatives that support the MAV’s strategic priorities, organisational effectiveness and future capability.
  • Coach and advise leaders on people leadership, performance, workforce matters, organisational change and transformation.
  • Provide strategic and practical advice on employee and industrial relations, managing complex, sensitive and high-risk matters appropriately.
  • Maintain fit-for-purpose people policies, practices, records, governance controls and escalation pathways that support compliance and effective decision-making.
  • Lead recruitment, talent attraction and retention practices that strengthen the MAV’s employer brand and candidate experience.
  • Advise on remuneration, classification, workforce structure and planning, using people data and insights to inform organisational decisions.
  • Support occupational health, safety and wellbeing outcomes, including psychological health and safety and relevant compliance obligations.

What We Offer:

  • A full-time, 3-year maximum-term opportunity based at Level 5, 1 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne.
  • The opportunity to establish and shape a contemporary People & Culture function during organisational transformation.
  • Direct partnership with the Chief Operating Officer, Executive team and People Leaders across the MAV.
  • A highly autonomous role with genuine scope to improve people practices, employee experience and organisational capability.
  • The chance to contribute to a positive, inclusive and high-performing culture aligned with the MAV’s values and strategic priorities.

What You'll Bring:

  • Significant and broad generalist Human Resources (HR) or P&C experience, including sole or senior end-to-end accountability for a P&C function in a standalone or lean environment.
  • Demonstrated ability to operate as both a strategic advisor and hands-on practitioner, personally delivering core HR operations and employee lifecycle activities.
  • Sound knowledge and experience in employee and industrial relations, with the judgement to manage complex, sensitive and ambiguous matters.
  • The credibility and confidence to coach, influence and advise leaders at all levels, including executives.
  • A pragmatic, proportionate approach that balances legal and organisational risk, fairness, employee experience and the MAV’s context and values.
  • Strong organisational skills and the ability to work autonomously, prioritise competing demands and deliver within a defined contract term.
  • Extensive and diverse experience across multiple P&C functions, with or without formal qualifications; or a relevant tertiary qualification supported by substantial practical experience.
  • Experience supporting organisational change or transformation, working with Executive-level stakeholders, and HRIS and/or workforce reporting in government or member-based sectors will be highly regarded.

Why Join Us?

This is a rare opportunity to make a tangible impact in a newly established role at a pivotal moment for the organisation. You will have the autonomy to shape practical people practices, strengthen leaders' capability, and support positive employee experiences, while advising on key organisational and workforce matters. If you are an experienced P&C generalist who combines strategic insight with hands-on delivery, we would love to hear from you.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and suitability for the role to Tony Rocca, Chief Operating Officer via email: humanresources@mav.asn.au

Applications close at 5pm, Friday, 11 September 2026.

The MAV reserves the right to hire a suitable candidate before the closing date.

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