People & Culture Manager
Job title: People & Culture Manager
Reporting to: Director, People & Culture
Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) is the largest environmental legal centre in the Australia-Pacific, dedicated to protecting our climate, communities and shared environment by providing access to justice, running ground-breaking litigation and leading law reform advocacy.
Since time immemorial, First Nations and Indigenous peoples have been taking care of their Countries in Australia and the Pasifik. These deep understandings, knowledges and experiences are critical to maintaining the health and vitality of Australia and the Pasifik’s unique wildlife and ecosystems. EDO respects these great knowledges and strongly believes that EDO cannot achieve a world where nature thrives without working for First Nations and Indigenous peoples.
The opportunity:
In this role, you’ll contribute to our people and culture strategy and champion our values of collaboration, inclusion and justice across the organisation. You will lead operational HR initiatives and partner with leaders to build a strong, values-led culture. You will have the opportunity to focus on embedding practices that strengthen culture, capability, engagement and compliance, contributing to a safe, inclusive and high-performing workplace. This is a chance to play a pivotal role in the continued development of an organisation where people feel valued, supported and empowered to deliver on our mission.
Candidate Profile:
We are seeking a driven, committed and experienced human resources professional to contribute to our People and Culture strategy and join EDO’s People and Culture team. You will have experience in Human Resources, with a proven track record of leading operational initiatives. As an experienced collaborator, you will play an important role in fostering a positive and collaborative team culture while empowering and contributing to positive organisational outcomes.
You will demonstrate a strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, underpinned by cultural competency and a genuine dedication to reconciliation with First Nations communities. Your expertise will include knowledge of Australian employment law, HR compliance, and contemporary best practice. With exceptional emotional intelligence and a collaborative mindset, you will work closely with the Director, People and Culture and People and Culture Officer on a range of People & Culture matters.
Key Responsibilities include:
Key selection criteria:
Personal qualities and cultural competency
Our Culture and Benefits:
We care deeply about creating a workplace where our team members feel valued, respected and empowered. We are committed to providing equal opportunity regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or life stage.
*Global Majority is a collective term that first and foremost speaks to and encourages those so-called, to think of themselves as belonging to the majority on planet earth. It refers to people who are Black, African, Asian, Brown, dual-heritage, indigenous to the global south, and or, have been racialised as ‘ethnic minorities’.
Our Values
Commitment – We are committed to; a united organisation, to each other, to collaboration, to justice, to our communities and to creating a world where nature thrives.
Diversity – We are respectful of and welcome diversity of staff, volunteers, offices, environmental regions, communities, stakeholders.
Integrity – We work effectively, efficiently, strategically, professionally, and ethically; “justice is in our nature”.
Vision – We lead change and environmental empowerment using innovation, creativity, and courage.
How to Apply
If you have queries regarding this advertisement, please contact us at recruitment@edo.org.au
Applications will close at 9:00AM AEST on Monday, 1 June 2026. Applications will be assessed as they are received so we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.
Applications must include a CV and a letter that clearly addresses each of the key selection criteria above.
The Key Selection Criteria show the minimum essential requirements of the position. The desirable criteria outline additional attributes which would enable the successful candidate to perform the role more effectively; they are not essential but may be used to distinguish between applicants during the shortlisting process.
EDO particularly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Pacific Island people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, workers of all ages, people with disabilities and people who identify as LGBTQIA+.
Please note: Your application may be considered for future roles at the EDO within the next 12 months without additional advertising. Please notify us in your application if you would not like to be considered for similar roles beyond this recruitment.
If you have any accessibility needs for the recruitment or interviewing process, please let us know in your application or by emailing recruitment@edo.org.au.
Vaccination Requirement
EDO does not have a vaccination mandate. EDO staff have the option to share vaccination details within the EDO HRIS system. EDO will maintain this record of vaccination status of EDO employees; however, if staff do not wish to disclose this information, it will not be enforced.
Working with clients face-to-face:
Other Information
All offers of employment may be subject to satisfactory background checks including a National Police Check, disclosure of previous or current disciplinary action, referee checks, proof of eligibility to work in Australia and qualification checks.