Head of People and Culture

Head of People and Culture — Position Description

Role snapshot

Item	Detail
Title	Head of People and Culture
Location	Sydney, NSW
Reports to	Founders [to be confirmed]
Direct reports	[To be confirmed]
Employment	Full-time, permanent
Eligibility	Australian citizen or permanent resident with full Australian working rights

 

About Birchgrove Legal

Birchgrove Legal is a Sydney-based commercial law firm that combines the personalised service of a boutique practice with the depth, expertise and rigour of a larger firm. Established in 2012, the firm provides legal services across commercial and corporate law, litigation, property, construction, employment, and the not-for-profit sector.

The firm has built a strong reputation for delivering practical, commercially focused legal advice and acting as a trusted adviser to businesses, organisations and individuals. Birchgrove Legal works with a diverse client base, ranging from not-for-profit organisations and small to medium enterprises through to larger Australian and international businesses.

Led by Principal Solicitors Moustafa Kheir and Hamza Alameddine, Birchgrove Legal is known for its client-focused approach, technical expertise and commitment to achieving successful outcomes. The firm prides itself on building long-term relationships with clients through responsive service, strategic advice and a deep understanding of the industries and communities it serves.

Having experienced significant growth, Birchgrove Legal continues to expand its capabilities, client base and market presence. The firm remains focused on investing in its people, operational excellence and leadership capability to support its next phase of growth while maintaining the high-quality service and strong culture that underpin its success.

Key responsibilities

1. People strategy

• Lead the people and culture strategy and annual plan with the founders, aligned to the firm's growth strategy.
• Manage the people and culture budget, and report people metrics to the founders: headcount, turnover, engagement and capability.
• Act as a trusted adviser to the founders on strategic people matters, including change management.

2. People

Talent and growth

• Own recruitment for all staff, working with the founders and the CFO to plan headcount for the growth plan, including acquisitions.
• Build talent pipelines and a strong employer brand, so that Birchgrove is where the best legal and support talent want to work.

Onboarding, probation and exits

• Own onboarding and probation for all staff, so every new starter is set up to succeed and gets timely feedback.
• Own the exit experience: exit conversations, and themes reported back to the founders.

Performance framework

• Build a performance framework: role descriptions, KPIs, regular reviews and development plans.
• Own performance management day to day, coaching managers to give clear, timely feedback.

Running the function

• Run the people function personally, including people systems, records and reporting, with no separate HR manager.

3. Culture

• Design, launch and run a culture programme that crystallises Birchgrove's culture (rituals, recognition, onboarding and initiation) and measure whether it works.
• Make sure every hire, promotion and exit is consistent with our values.
• Run engagement surveys and feedback, and turn the results into action the founders can see.
• Look after wellbeing, team events and celebrations so that the culture is lived, not just written down.
• Lead the cultural side of integrating acquired firms, bringing new teams into Birchgrove's way of working.

4. Capability development

• Design and run learning and development programs aligned with the firm's strategy, for lawyers and support staff alike.
• Build leadership capability, especially in new and emerging managers and partners.
• Identify skills gaps with leaders and close them through targeted programs; measure the impact on performance, engagement and retention.
• Create career pathways, growth plans and succession plans for key roles.
• Partner with the CFO to build AI capability across the firm through role-based training and a network of champions.

Skills, qualifications and experience

Essential

• Degree in human resources, organisational psychology, business or a related field.
• 10+ years' experience in people and culture, including a senior role with strategic scope.
• Proven experience designing performance frameworks, culture programs and learning and development programs.
• Experience leading change in a growing business, ideally including acquisitions.
• Skilled in using people data (engagement surveys, turnover, performance) to guide decisions.
• Comfortable running the people function hands-on without a team.

Highly regarded

• Law firm or professional services experience.
• Experience integrating people and culture after an acquisition.
• Working knowledge of HR information systems and learning platforms.
• Experience introducing AI tools and building AI skills in a workforce.

How you work

• Warm, direct and credible with lawyers and founders alike.
• A builder: you turn values and strategy into practical programs people use.
• Discreet with confidential information, and sound in your judgement on sensitive people matters.
• Evidence-led: you measure what you build and change what does not work.

How to apply

Send your CV and a short cover letter to [careers contact to be confirmed], outlining your culture, capability development and people leadership experience. All applications are treated in confidence.