Industrial Relations & HR Manager | Mine Site Operations (PNG)

Macpower Digital Assets Edge Brisbane, Australia

Posted 1 month ago Permanent $1 year

Job Summary:

Project Details: Mine Restart & Operations
Location: Brisbane, Australia (with regular travel to Papua New Guinea - Mine Site & Port Moresby)
Reports To: CFO
Direct Reports: HR Coordinator (s), Recruitment Lead (as required), Training & Compliance Officer (dotted line)

Role Purpose:

The HR Manager will establish and manage the full human resources function supporting the mine operations.
This includes workforce mobilisation, industrial relations, compliance with PNG labour laws, and development of a high-performing workforce across site, logistics, and corporate functions.
The role is critical in ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient workforce operations in a complex remote mining environment with significant community and stakeholder sensitivities.

Our successful candidate will:

Build a fit-for-purpose HR function from day one
Enable rapid mobilisation and operational readiness
Balance commercial discipline with workforce stability
Navigate complex community, government, and workforce dynamics
Drive a high-performance, safety-first culture
bility to operate effectively in remote and challenging environments

Key Responsibilities:

Workforce Strategy & Planning:

Develop and implement the workforce plan aligned to mine restart and ramp-up schedules
Coordinate manpower forecasting across:
1. Mining (underground & surface)
2. Site services
3. Logistics (road, air, warehousing)
4. Security and community affairs
Establish organisational structures, role definitions, and reporting lines

Recruitment & Mobilisation

Lead end-to-end recruitment for all roles (expatriate and national workforce)
Develop a mobilisation framework for:
1. Site access and onboarding
2. Medicals, inductions, and compliance checks
3. Travel logistics (flights, rotations, accommodation)
Prioritise local employment and landowner participation in line with MoA commitments

Industrial & Employee Relations:

Manage industrial relations strategy in PNG, including:
1. Employment contracts aligned with PNG legislation
2. Workforce policies and procedures
3. Disciplinary and grievance processes
Provide guidance on sensitive workforce issues:
Landowner employment expectations
Workforce disputes
Cultural and community considerations

HR Compliance & Governance:

Ensure compliance with:
1. PNG Labour Laws
2. Mine operating agreements (MoA obligations)
3. Internal company HR policies
Maintain audit-ready HR systems and documentation
Develop and implement:
1. HR policies
2. Code of conduct
3. Disciplinary frameworks
Support reporting requirements to government stakeholders where required

Performance Management & Culture:

Implement a performance management framework across all departments
Support leadership in:
1. Setting KPIs
2. Conducting performance reviews
3. Managing underperformance
Drive a high-performance, accountable culture aligned to safety and operational delivery

Training & Capability Development:

Develop and oversee training programs including:
1. Site inductions
2. Safety and compliance training
3. Leadership development
Coordinate TVET and workforce development initiatives (aligned with CSR and local content commitments)
Ensure workforce competency for:
1. Underground mining operations
2. Heavy equipment operation
3. Site services roles

Compensation, Benefits & Payroll Oversight:

Develop competitive remuneration structures for PNG workforce
Oversee payroll inputs and compliance (local and expat workforce)
Manage:
1. Rosters and rotations
2. llowances and site-based benefits
Ensure alignment with budget and cost control objectives

HR Systems & Reporting:

Implement and manage HR systems for:
1. Workforce tracking
2. ttendance and rotations
3. Leave and payroll inputs
Deliver weekly and monthly HR dashboards including:
1. Headcount
2. Mobilisation status
3. Turnover and absenteeism
4. Training compliance
Support EXCO reporting with clear workforce insights and risks

Stakeholder Engagement:

Interface with:
1. Government bodies (labour, immigration where required)
2. Community Affairs team
3. Security and logistics teams
Support alignment between:
1. Workforce strategy
2. Community expectations
3. Operational requirements

Key Deliverables (First 6 Months):

Workforce plan aligned to mine restart
Recruitment and mobilisation of critical roles
Implementation of HR policies and compliance framework
Establishment of HR systems and reporting dashboards
Industrial relations framework in place
Training and induction programs operational
Local employment strategy implemented

Key KPI's:

Operational
1. % of roles filled vs workforce plan
2. Time to hire (critical roles)
3. Mobilisation readiness (on-time deployment)
People & Culture:
1. Workforce turnover rate
2. bsenteeism rate
3. Employee engagement indicators
Compliance:
1. 100% compliance with PNG labour laws
2. Zero major HR audit findings
3. Training compliance rates (%)
Cost:
1. Labour cost vs budget
2. Recruitment cost efficiency

Experience & Qualifications:

10+ years HR experience, ideally in Mining, oil & gas, or remote operations.
Strong experience in Workforce mobilisation, Industrial relations, Developing HR functions from scratch.
Experience in PNG or similar jurisdictions highly desirable.
Tertiary qualification in HR, Business, or related field.

Key Competencies:

Strong leadership and decision-making
bility to operate in high-pressure, remote project environments
Commercial mindset with focus on cost and delivery
Cultural awareness and stakeholder sensitivity
Highly structured and process-driven

Job ID 26-00248

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