Senior People and Projects Partner

About the organisation

Whānau Āwhina Plunket is Aotearoa’s largest provider of services focused on the health and wellbeing of pēpi, tamariki and their whānau. Its work is grounded in supporting families and communities to flourish, with people at the centre of everything it does.

The organisation’s purpose is captured in its vision of helping create healthier futures for children and families across generations and communities.

The opportunity

This fixed-term full-time position runs through to September 2027 and sits within the People and Culture team. Reporting to the Head of People, the role blends senior HR business partnering with responsibility for leading organisation-wide people initiatives that build capability, strengthen culture, and improve performance.

The position suits someone who can think strategically while still being practical and hands-on, and who enjoys developing strong relationships, guiding leaders, and driving meaningful change in a complex, purpose-led environment.

Key focus areas

You will work with senior leaders and colleagues across the People and Culture team to turn people strategy into real outcomes. This includes supporting engagement, workforce planning, capability growth, and wider organisational effectiveness.

Role responsibilities

• Provide strategic and day-to-day people advice to senior leaders.
• Design, lead, and deliver people projects and change programmes across the organisation.
• Use workforce information and insights to shape planning and decisions.
• Offer specialist employment relations guidance and help leaders handle people issues well.
• Coach and influence leaders so they can grow their people leadership capability.
• Help develop and implement the People Workplan.
• Support organisational change and continuous improvement efforts.
• Guide and mentor a People and Projects Advisor.
• Promote pro-equity thinking and culturally responsive ways of working throughout the organisation.

About you

You are an experienced HR professional who works well in a fast-moving environment and enjoys partnering with leaders to deliver practical, positive outcomes.

Requirements

• A relevant tertiary qualification, or equivalent practical experience.
• At least five years’ experience in a senior HR or people partnering role supporting senior leaders.
• Strong expertise in employment relations, preferably in a unionised environment.
• Experience creating and delivering people initiatives in complex organisations.
• A track record of building trusted relationships and coaching leaders effectively.
• Strong project management capability and the ability to juggle competing priorities.
• Confidence using data and insights to support decisions and influence outcomes.
• Good knowledge of employment law and HR best practice.
• Clear commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, pro-equity practice, and culturally responsive approaches.
• Genuine interest in supporting people and improving workplace experiences.
• Alignment with the values of Māia, Tūhono, Manaaki, and Māhaki.

What the organisation offers

• Additional wellbeing days to support health and wellbeing.
• Flexible working options and a strong emphasis on work-life balance.
• Retail discounts, including childcare, holiday homes, rental cars, and more.
• Access to Fitness Passport with discounted entry to many fitness facilities.
• Continual learning and development opportunities.
• Programmes that build cultural capability and support the pro-equity journey.
• The chance to contribute to work that creates lasting benefits for tamariki and whānau across Aotearoa.

Application details

This role is based in South Wairarapa District, Wellington, New Zealand and is an onsite full-time position.

Applications must be submitted online by Monday 29 June. The organisation may review applications as they arrive and could close the vacancy early if a suitable person is found.

For role-specific questions, contact HR@plunket.org.nz.