Head of People and Culture

Job Title: Head of People & Culture (Expat role) Location: Papua New Guinea Reports To Chief Executive Officer / Managing Director Direct Reports HR Manager HR Business Partners Recruitment & Mobilisation Coordinator Payroll & HR Administrator Training & Development Coordinator Workforce Planning Coordinator Site HR Team Camp Administration (functional oversight) Position Purpose The Head of People & Culture is responsible for leading the end-to-end Human Resources function across the company. The role will develop and implement HR strategies, systems, policies and processes that support a rapidly expanding mining, construction and manufacturing business. The position will provide strategic leadership while remaining actively involved in operational HR activities across PNG, including remote project sites. Key Responsibilities Executive Leadership Develop and implement the People Strategy. Advise Executive Management on HR matters. Develop workforce planning strategies. Lead organisational design. Build succession planning. Develop leadership capability. Workforce Planning Develop workforce plans for: Mine Quarry Cement Plant Lime Plant Wharf Camp Construction Corporate Office Forecast labour requirements. Manage manpower budgets. Develop organisational structures. Recruitment & Talent Acquisition Lead recruitment of: Executive Management Senior Leadership Expatriates PNG Nationals Labour Hire Graduate Programmes Develop recruitment partnerships. Manage recruitment agencies. Develop talent pipelines. Mobilisation Manage all mobilisation activities including: Visa coordination Work permits Medicals Police clearances Flights Accommodation Camp allocation Inductions Mobilisation schedules HR Operations Manage: Employment contracts Position descriptions Probation Confirmations Transfers Promotions Performance reviews Exit processes Industrial & Employee Relations Manage: Employment Act compliance Industrial Awards Grievances Investigations Disciplinary matters Union consultation (where applicable) Workforce disputes Policies & Compliance Develop and maintain: HR Policies Procedures Employee Handbook Code of Conduct Ethics Equal Employment Opportunity Diversity & Inclusion Harassment Drug & Alcohol Leave Performance Management Ensure compliance with: PNG Employment Act Immigration legislation Work Permit requirements Workplace Health & Safety ISO Standards Performance Management Develop: KPI framework Annual Performance Reviews Leadership Reviews Career Development Plans Coach leaders. Manage underperformance. Learning & Development Develop: Training Matrix Competency Framework Apprenticeships Graduate Programme Leadership Development Manage mandatory training. Payroll Oversight Work with Finance to ensure: Payroll accuracy Roster compliance Leave management Superannuation Tax compliance HR Systems Lead implementation and management of: HRIS Recruitment software Learning Management System Performance Management System Digital personnel files Electronic onboarding Employee Wellbeing Develop initiatives covering: Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) Wellness Mental Health Diversity & Inclusion Staff engagement Recognition programmes Culture Lead initiatives that create: High performance Accountability Collaboration Safety culture Leadership development Key Deliverables Workforce Plans Recruitment Strategy HR Policies Organisation Charts Position Descriptions Performance Framework Competency Framework Training Matrix Succession Plans Monthly HR Dashboard Executive HR Reports Skills & Experience Essential Degree in Human Resources, Business, Psychology or related field. 15+ years' HR leadership experience. Experience in mining, construction, manufacturing or oil & gas. Experience managing 500+ employees. Extensive industrial relations experience. Strong PNG employment law knowledge. Experience with expatriate mobilisation. HRIS implementation experience. Experience supporting executive teams. Preferred MBA Chartered HR Professional ( CAHRI , AHRI , CIPD or equivalent) Project mobilisation experience. Multi-site operations experience. Technical Skills Workforce Planning Organisational Design Recruitment Industrial Relations Performance Management Succession Planning Talent Management HR Analytics Change Management Payroll Oversight Coaching Leadership Development Leadership Competencies Executive presence Strategic thinking Emotional intelligence Negotiation Conflict resolution Decision making Stakeholder management Coaching Commercial acumen Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Time to fill vacancies Employee retention Staff turnover Performance review completion Training compliance Mobilisation lead time Employee engagement Lost Time Injury (HR-related metrics) Workforce productivity Recruitment cost per hire HR audit compliance Visa and work permit compliance Payroll accuracy Policy compliance Note: Rather than hiring a conventional HR Manager , this role is designed to build and lead a best-practice People & Culture function for a rapidly growing organisation. It will oversee the entire employment lifecycle across the company, supporting a workforce that could exceed 500–1,000 employees during peak construction and transition into long-term operations. This position is intended to become one of the executive leadership roles within the organisation, ensuring the business has scalable HR systems, strong governance, effective workforce planning, and a high-performing culture to support both construction and future operational phases.