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Mott MacDonald • Auckland, NZ

Senior People Advisor

Employment type:  Full time
10

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Job Description

Senior HR Advisor – Auckland

Purpose & Impact
Join an employee-owned consultancy that improves society by considering social outcomes in everything we do. As Senior HR Advisor, you’ll partner with our HR Lead, NZ to strengthen a people experience where every colleague is supported to do their best work—and where our culture of inclusion, wellbeing and integrity enables teams to deliver meaningful outcomes for our clients and communities.

Where you’ll fit
Based in our Auckland office, you’ll be part of a close, collaborative HR team that moves with pace, cares deeply about people, and celebrates shared wins. You’ll help plan and deliver our annual people calendar—programmes, projects and initiatives that translate strategy into tangible outcomes for our growing New Zealand business.

The difference you’ll make (key responsibilities)

  • Trusted people partner: Provide timely, accurate guidance to employees, line managers and local leaders on a wide range of HR matters—building confidence, clarity and trust at every interaction.
  • Programme delivery: Co-own the roll-out of HR initiatives across the employee lifecycle (onboarding, performance & growth, reward cycles, engagement and exits), working closely with Talent Development, Talent Acquisition and Mobility.
  • Learning & facilitation: Design and/or facilitate training that lifts people-leader capability and reinforces an inclusive, high-trust culture.
  • People operations excellence: Apply sound judgement, standard processes and quality controls so our deliverables are complete, compliant and on time. Where relevant, support documentation, systems hygiene and continuous improvement.
  • Wellbeing, EDI & belonging: Role-model our equality, diversity and inclusion commitments and champion wellbeing—reducing barriers, amplifying diverse voices and ensuring fair, respectful experiences for all.
  • Reward literacy: Support annual compensation frameworks and processes in partnership with the HR Lead, providing accurate guidance to leaders.
  • Insight & integrity: Share clear updates on workload, risks and resourcing; protect confidentiality; and uphold our standards so people can rely on the HR team to do the right thing.

About you

  • Demonstrated experience as a Senior HR Advisor (or equivalent capability), ideally within a professional services environment and as part of a country/regional/global team.
  • Proven training facilitation skills and the ability to deliver pragmatic, timely HR advice to employees, managers and leaders.
  • Proactive problem-solver who takes pride in delivering a high-quality service to your internal clients.
  • Experience implementing HR initiatives alongside specialists in Mobility, Talent Development and Talent Acquisition.
  • Highly developed interpersonal and relationship skills—confident liaising at all levels, listening deeply, communicating with empathy, and navigating change with care.
  • Good understanding of compensation frameworks and processes.
  • A collaborative teammate who adds to a positive, respectful, fun culture—and who speaks up constructively to make things better.

Growth & Progression
This role is designed with clear headroom. As our New Zealand business grows, we anticipate progression to HR Business Partner for the right person, with opportunities to lead initiatives, coach leaders, and shape the people strategy that underpins our market success.

How we support you

  • Employee ownership with a genuine stake in shared success, plus an inclusive culture grounded in collaboration and integrity.
  • Wellbeing first: we prioritise safe, healthy, flexible ways of working and provide tools and support to help you thrive.
  • Learn, grow, achieve: access to mentoring, learning pathways and communities of practice to accelerate your development and celebrate your achievements.

Our commitment to inclusion
We put Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the heart of how we recruit, develop and work together. We welcome all applicants and will provide reasonable adjustments throughout the process so you can show your best.

Ready to make a difference?
If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear your story and how you’ll help us build a people experience that empowers every colleague to be brilliant.

Our benefits package is designed to enhance your experience:

• A flexible and agile work atmosphere that caters to your professional journey and life's special moments
• A competitive salary complemented by Discretionary Group and Personal Performance Bonuses for eligible employees
• Comprehensive coverage including life, personal accident, and salary continuance insurance, providing peace of mind during uncertain times
• Opportunities to enhance your work-life balance through the option to purchase extra annual leave
• Employee resource groups including the Inclusive Network for Women, Corporate Social Responsibility and more

You've got this!
We endorse a diverse and inclusive workplace and look to provide suitable opportunities for employees including the opportunity for part time and job shared roles where possible. If you are interested in this role and looking for a part time permanent opportunity, please apply!

Company benefits

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

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

Ireland

Italy

Japan

Malaysia

New Zealand

Qatar

Saudi Arabia

Serbia

Singapore

South Korea

Spain

Taiwan

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
Flexible

Flexible

Flexa awards 2025
Work-Life Balance

Work-Life Balance

Flexa awards 2025
Culture

Culture

Flexa awards 2025

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