Head of HR, Disputes, Competition and Insurance
Location: Melbourne
Contract Type: Permanent
MinterEllison is one of Australia’s largest independent law and consulting firms. With a heritage of almost 200 years, we are known for our excellence, and our authentic and enduring relationships with our clients, our people and our communities. Clients seek out MinterEllison to help them solve complex problems every day. We do this by our full-service legal offering and complementary consulting offering.
We offer opportunities to work on industry-leading mandates for top-tier clients, while being part of a high-performing and collaborative team that values excellence, diversity of thought, curiosity, and inclusion. We value our people and empower them to achieve their ambitions - with the support, trust and autonomy to grow their careers in meaningful ways.
At MinterEllison, we're leading the way with AI and other emerging technologies, powering innovation right across our firm. You will have the opportunity to engage with AI tools we've built, and other external AI tools, to enhance efficiencies and excellence internally and with our clients.
We support sustainable ways of working regarding how, when and where you work and offer a wide range of social, financial and health benefits (see https://www.minterellison.com/-/media/Minter-Ellison/Files/Careers/MinterEllison-Employee-Benefits-Dec_2025.pdf)
About the Role
We are seeking an exceptional Senior HR Leader to drive our people strategy within DCI – the firm's largest Line of Business (LoB). This is a nationally significant leadership role where you will shape the future of talent across one of our most dynamic practice areas.
DCI supports clients through their most complex regulatory and commercial challenges – from high-stakes litigation and regulatory investigations to class actions, intellectual property, insurance, and public law matters. As our Senior HR Leader, you will be instrumental in building the capability, culture, and leadership needed to sustain this critical work.
What You'll Do
As a strategic partner to our DCI leadership team, you will:
-
Drive strategic people initiatives that enhance performance, productivity, and employee experience across the Line of Business
-
Lead workforce planning to align current and future capability, capacity, and succession needs with our strategic objectives
-
Champion the firm's SC3 strategy and embed it across all levels of the DCI practice
-
Oversee key talent processes including performance management, remuneration reviews, recruitment, and development programmes to build high-calibre teams
-
Build trusted advisor relationships with partners and senior leaders, coaching them through people challenges and organisational change
-
Lead AI adoption across the Line of Business, building capability and championing change to improve productivity and decision-making
-
Foster psychological safety and wellbeing by embedding respectful workplace practices and proactively managing psychosocial risks
-
Provide change management expertise to enable successful implementation of business improvement initiatives
-
Collaborate with firm leadership on the execution of both the LoB Strategic Plan and the Talent Strategic Plan
-
Manage and develop a team of Talent Experience professionals
What You'll Bring
Essential qualifications and experience:
-
Postgraduate qualification (or equivalent) in Human Resources, Business, Psychology, or a related discipline
-
Significant strategic HR leadership experience in professional services, a global partnership, or complex corporate environment
-
Proven track record developing and implementing people strategies that deliver tangible business outcomes
-
Demonstrated experience leading and developing high-performing HR teams
-
Strong commercial acumen with understanding of professional services firms and their financial drivers
Key capabilities:
-
Exceptional stakeholder management and influencing skills at all organisational levels
-
Extensive experience in change management, organisational design, and talent development
-
Commitment to fostering diversity, inclusion, and psychological safety
-
Resilience and confidence to navigate ambiguity, manage competing priorities, and lead through change
-
Strategic mindset combined with hands-on implementation capability
Why Join Us?
This role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on one of the firm's most important Lines of Business. You will work alongside exceptional legal minds, shape the future of talent in a leading professional services firm, and lead initiatives that directly contribute to our strategic success.
If you are a strategic HR leader who thrives on complexity, values collaboration, and is passionate about building high-performing, inclusive teams, we would welcome your application.
How to apply
We encourage applications from people of all ages, abilities, cultural backgrounds, genders (including trans or gender diverse), LGBTQ+ people and those with carer responsibilities. We particularly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply.
We prefer to connect with people directly, so please submit your CV by clicking on the 'Apply' button. We encourage all applications, including if you do not meet all the criteria listed for the role. Your application will also enable us to consider you for other opportunities that may be available at MinterEllison.
If you are currently a MinterEllison employee, please apply through the internal careers page.
If you would like further information, require any adjustments throughout the recruitment process or for a confidential discussion, please contact lisa.fleming@minterellison.com.
Melbourne, AU