People and Culture Lead

REPORTS TO – The Directors
OTHER 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, always
  
  
• Host with care and creativity
  
  
• Lead with curiosity and courage
  
  
• And 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-ins
    
    
  • 6-month appraisals
    
    
  • Monthly KPI reviews
    
    
  • Annual 360 reviews
    
    
• Provide 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 development
    
    
  • Product and culture workshops
    
    
  • Retail training resources for Store Leaders and their teams
    
    
• Drive 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.