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Mott MacDonald • Sydney, NSW, AU; Docklands, VIC, AU; Adelaide, SA, AU; Brisbane, QLD, AU

Principal People Advisor - 10 Month Contract

Employment type:  Contract
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Job Description

Brilliant people trusted to do brilliant things.

Mott MacDonald is a vibrant and forward-thinking engineering, management, and development consultancy. Working together as a global team we plan, design, deliver and maintain the transport, energy, water, buildings, and wider infrastructure that is integral to people’s daily lives. We value excellence in every dimension of our business and continuously seek opportunities to improve what we do and how we do it.

We employ brilliant people who combine their diverse skills and experiences to achieve brilliant things. Whether you want to specialise or broaden your experience, you'll be supported by global specialists eager to share their expertise. With numerous opportunities to learn and grow, the possibilities are as diverse as our people. Working as a connected global team, we deliver impactful projects that shape the future.

Your Opportunity

We’re looking for a collaborative and trusted Principal People Advisor to join our People team in a parental leave fixed term contract (10 months) in either Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Adelaide. This role is pivotal in shaping the employee experience, supporting leadership to drive high performance across our Australian offices. As a trusted partner, you’ll work closely with leadership teams across Australia to deliver impactful people strategies that align with our global, regional, and local priorities.

In this role you will:

  • Partner with leadership teams to deliver people strategies and oversee BAU activities such as graduate recruitment, talent development, data needs, people manager development, and talent mobility.

  • Provide expert advice on employee relations, performance, remuneration, and compliance, while coaching and mentoring the People Advisory team.

  • Foster collaboration across People Functions (Talent Development, Talent Acquisition, Global Mobility) and lead initiatives that enhance onboarding, mobility, wellbeing, and inclusion.

  • Coordinate Australian Unit Business Plan actions and contribute to workforce trends and metrics, including maintaining dashboards to track key People metrics.

  • Collaborate with global HR teams to enhance every stage of the employee lifecycle.

  • Oversee wellbeing and inclusion activities, proactively implementing and measuring the impact of our diversity programs.

About You

  • Extensive HR advisory experience in complex or large organisations.

  • Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence and partner effectively with senior leaders.

  • Proven ability to lead and deliver people initiatives across the employee lifecycle, collaborating with the local people team for measurable and impactful results.

  • Collaborative leadership style, experienced in coordinating across HR functions and contributing to operational excellence.

Culture & Benefits

Mott MacDonald celebrates diversity and inclusion, offering a supportive work environment that values work-life balance, diversity, inclusion, and equity. We welcome diverse applicants, including First Nations People, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and people of all genders, neurodiversity, cultural backgrounds, age groups, and those with intersectional identities.

Employee ownership

Our employee ownership model means no external investors, just us, creating a culture of shared success. Employees have a stake and a voice in our business, with direct connection to our success through personal and group performance bonuses.

Our benefits package is designed to enhance your experience which includes:

  • Opportunities for excellence every day

  • An inclusive, supportive environment where your voice matters

  • Agile working environment, supporting our people to manage work life balance

  • Life, personal accident, and salary continuance insurance

  • Employee resource groups including the Inclusive Network for Women, Corporate Social Responsibility and more

  • Annual Health Checks and ongoing professional development

You’ve got this!

We endorse a diverse and inclusive workplace and look to provide suitable opportunities for employees.

If you are interested in this role, please apply!
#LI-JS1

Company benefits

Accrued annual leave
Adoption leave – 26 weeks full pay
Annual bonus
Annual pay rises
Bank holiday swaps
Bike parking
Book swaps
Buddy scheme
Buy or sell annual leave
Carer’s leave – up to 5 days, two of which are paid
Compassionate leave
Critical Illness Insurance
Cycle to work scheme
Dental coverage
Employee assistance programme
Employee discounts
Enhanced maternity leave – 26 weeks full pay
Enhanced paternity leave – 2 weeks
Enhanced pension match/contribution – matched up to 7%
Enhanced sick pay
Ergonomic workstations
Eye Care Support – Eyecare vouchers
Faith rooms
Fully stocked snack cupboard
Further education support
Health assessment
In house training
Income protection
L&D budget
Learning platform
Life assurance
Life insurance – 4 x salary
Lunch and learns
Meditation space
Meditation space
Mentoring
Modern office
On-site shower
On-site yoga classes
Open to part time work for some roles
Open to part-time employees
Pregnancy loss leave
Pregnancy support
Private booths
Private GP service – Private Medical care for all UK staff
Professional subscriptions – We pay for your primary professional annual subscription
Referral bonus
Religious celebration leave
Returnship
Salary sacrifice
Share options
Shared parental leave – We match up to 24 weeks full pay
Study support
Tax-free childcare
Teambuilding days
Theme park discounts
Travel loan
Women’s health leave
Reservist leave – 10 days leave

Working at Mott MacDonald

Company employees:

18,000 worldwide

Gender diversity (m:f):

65:35

Hiring in countries

Australia

Bulgaria

Canada

Czechia

France

Germany

Hong Kong

India

Indonesia

Ireland

Italy

Japan

Malaysia

New Zealand

Serbia

Singapore

Spain

Thailand

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

United States

Office Locations

Awards & Accreditations

2nd – Career Progression

2nd – Career Progression

Flexa awards 2025
3rd – Family Friendly

3rd – Family Friendly

Flexa awards 2025
Work-Life Balance

Work-Life Balance

Flexa awards 2025
Flexible

Flexible

Flexa awards 2025
Culture

Culture

Flexa awards 2025

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