People and Culture Lead REPORTS TO – The DirectorsOTHER KEY RELATIONSHIPS – Head Office team, Retail and Store Leaders and Retail Assistant Team.
LOCATION - Smith St, Fitzroy AVAILABILITY – Part-time PROBATIONARY PERIOD – 6 months ABOUT US At Blackhearts, we: Put the drinker first, alwaysHost with care and creativityLead with curiosity and courageAnd are obsessively resourceful in everything we do We believe great workplaces are built on human connection, shared purpose, and a commitment to genuine care—for our people as much as our customers.
We're more than just a retailer; we're a community of passionate individuals who create meaningful, memorable experiences in-store and behind the scenes.
Our People & Culture ethos is grounded in hospitality, collaboration, and curiosity.
We nurture a culture where individuality is celebrated, diversity is championed, and development is continuous.
We're thoughtful and detail-driven—not just in our product curation, but in how we treat one another.
We're constantly evolving.
That means creating space for fresh perspectives, raising the bar on what a people-first business can be, and empowering our team to grow with us.
If you thrive in a dynamic environment, lead with empathy, and care deeply about people and culture—this might just be your next great role.
YOUR MISSION Represent the Blackhearts culture in every interaction—leading by example, driving inclusion, and fostering connection.Build strong relationships across the business, supporting long-term development and genuine care.Be the central support for all things People & Culture, ensuring everyone feels seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.Help operational leaders embed excellence in service, logistics, team performance and leadership.Deliver training, development and cultural initiatives that align with our evolving business strategy.Champion a 'great place to work' consciousness—ensuring quality decisions and meaningful interactions are at the core of what we do.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES People & Culture Operations Be the first point of contact for HR queries, policies, and employee support across stores, all teams and HQ.Manage onboarding and offboarding, including: (an average of 5 people per month are hired with periods of higher and lower rates)Background checks, welcome emails, check-ins, and exit interviews.Employment contracts, role descriptions, and variation letters.Maintain HR records (e.g., key register, access codes, employment info, policies).Use systems like Employment Hero, Breezy, and Fair Work resources to manage documentation and compliance.
Rostering, Payroll & Admin Work with Store Leaders to coordinate fortnightly rosters with consideration of team strengths, personality balance, development, and Fair Work compliance.Manage timesheet approvals and weekly payroll processes.Track leave, time-in-lieu, and holiday availability.
Recruitment & Onboarding Oversee recruitment, including communication with candidates, scheduling, interview guides, and reference checks.Maintain a talent pool and assist partner stores with recruitment as needed.Welcome new team members and provide a consistent, values-aligned onboarding experience.
Performance & Development Conduct and schedule:Probation check-ins6-month appraisalsMonthly KPI reviewsAnnual 360 reviewsProvide recommendations for development, promotion, or changes in employment status.Support store leaders with feedback and coaching conversations.Manage performance investigations with discretion and empathy.
Learning & Culture Oversee the annual training calendar, including:Leadership and Store Leader developmentProduct and culture workshopsRetail training resources for Store Leaders and their teamsDrive ongoing initiatives for staff engagement, recognition and internal growth.Help deliver cultural strategies such as cross-team connection.
Compliance, Safety & Legislation Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the General Retail Award, Fair Work, and industry standards.Oversee WHS in stores, warehouses, and HQ.Coordinate WorkCover and return-to-work programs.Ensure all HR activities are compliant, secure, and aligned with legal and ethical standards.Liaise with Employment Law contractors, and external HR resources when necessary WHAT YOU BRING Minimum 2 years' experience in a people leadership or HR-adjacent role (retail or hospitality preferred).Deep understanding of HR principles, including employment law, compliance, onboarding, and payroll systems.High emotional intelligence, with the ability to lead through empathy and hold space for others.Strong communication and coaching skills—comfortable working with everyone from new casuals to Directors.Passion for systems, structure, and detail.A proactive, collaborative, and people-first approach to problem solving.Alignment with our values of curiosity, care, quality, and community.
WHY BLACKHEARTS & SPARROWS?
We're more than a bottle shop—we're a values-led, hospitality-driven, family-run community.
Our people are the heart of our business, and we're deeply committed to helping each team member grow, thrive, and feel connected to something bigger.
In addition to a supportive and dynamic work environment, we offer perks such as flexible working options, a generous discount to spend in-store, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
We're building something long-lasting and people-powered, and we want you to help shape what that looks like.
We warmly welcome applications from First Nations people and individuals of all cultures, genders, sexualities, abilities, and identities.