People and Development Manager

Step into a role where your talent for strategy, pace and people will shape the future of one of Australia's leading law firms.

At Clayton Utz, our culture has been built by independent thinkers and our people are at critical part of our success. We are seeking an accomplished HR professional to lead our Perth P&D function for a 12-month parental leave contract. Reporting to the Senior Manager – Business Partnering, you will be the trusted adviser to the Perth Partnership including the Partner in Charge.

If you’re a senior P&D professional with a strong business partnering background, a strategic mindset, and a passion for leading with influence and empathy, this is the role for you.

The role

• Understand the business, anticipate challenges and influence decision-makers to deliver commercial, people-centred outcomes.
• Inspire a high-performing local team and empower Partners and line leaders to bring out the best in theirs.
• Shape capability, succession and talent pipelines that future-proof our practice groups.
• Champion inclusion, wellbeing and an unrivalled employee experience.
• Manage complex ER matters with confidence, balancing risk with pragmatic solutions.
• Be part of data-driven remuneration and performance conversations.
• Contribute to national P&D projects that turn insights into actionable innovation.

Skills and experience required:

• Proven success in a senior P&D role within professional services or a similarly fast-paced, knowledge-based environment.
• Strong commercial acumen and the curiosity to quickly grasp a new business model.
• A track record of building credible, strategic relationships with senior stakeholders.
• Confident expertise in employee relations and a solid understanding of Australian employment legislation.
• Sharp analytical skills and fluency with people metrics, ideally including Workday.

Why join us?

This role offers end-to-end ownership, perfect for someone proactive who thrives on turning strategy into meaningful outcomes. You’ll be part of a collaborative and forward-thinking P&D team that values curiosity, candour, and continuous learning.

Enjoy hybrid working arrangements, genuine autonomy, and the opportunity to make a lasting impact during this 12-month contract.

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How to Apply?

We prefer to work directly with candidates, if you are interested in this role, please click the ‘Apply’ button or contact the consultant, details below, for more information. Clayton Utz is an inclusive employer that supports flexible work arrangements, please feel free to discuss your flexibility needs with the recruiter for this role.

Consultant Contact Details

Alexandra Smith, (02) 9353 4446

Accessibility and Inclusion

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to provide a positive, barrier-free recruitment process. Do you require any support or reasonable adjustments to complete your application? If so, please contact the recruiter via the above telephone number or via email to recruitmentsupport@claytonutz.com.

For more information on Clayton Utz, please visit www.claytonutz.com or follow us on LinkedIn here.

Agency submissions

Clayton Utz does not accept agency submissions unless the agency is specifically contacted by a member of the Clayton Utz Recruitment Team. Please do not forward candidate profiles or resumes to Clayton Utz partners, hiring managers or other employees - this will not constitute as an introduction to the firm and Clayton Utz will not be liable for a fee.