People and Culture Business Partner
Application Deadline: 15 August 2026
Department: People Support
Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time
Location: Villawood
Reporting To: Head of Retail Operations
Compensation: $110,000 - $120,000 / year
Description
Who We Are:
You might know us as the inventors of the bath bomb, but there’s more to this great-smelling, partly employee-owned, family-run company than pioneering cosmetics. We believe our business should put more back into the world than it takes and demonstrate that capitalism can be a force for good.
We put our people first and fight cruel practices like animal testing, promote regeneration, and show that it is what’s inside that counts - whether that’s an ingredient in a product, or the minerals in a smartphone.
Diversity Matters:
We are building a brand that represents the people of the world. It’s what you do that counts, and we are always looking to expand perspectives and voices to shape our future.
We see you, we celebrate you, we want you!
Key Info:
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Job title: People and Culture Business Partner
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Role type: Full Time
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Reports into: Head of Retail Operations
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Location: Villawood, NSW
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Closing date: Sunday 2nd August
About the Role:
We are looking for a People & Culture Business Partner who is, first and foremost, an exceptional people manager and a visionary for the employee journey. We believe in growing the business through the growth of our people and are looking for a leader to help us achieve just that.
Reporting to the Head of Retail Operations, you won't just be "managing" a department; you will be the architect of the Lush experience for our staff across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. You will lead a multidisciplinary team, including Safety, Learning & Development, Communication and HR Generalists, transforming them into a powerhouse that supports our retail arm. Your mission is to ensure that every Lush employee feels supported, developed, and inspired from their first day to their last.
1. Exceptional People Leadership Your team is your priority. You will lead the Retail People & Culture team by example, fostering a culture of high trust, continuous development, and psychological safety. You are a mentor who unlocks the potential in your direct reports, ensuring the P&C team is seen as a benchmark for leadership excellence within the business.
2. Visionary Employee Journey Mapping You will take the lead in shaping the strategy and direction of our people culture. You see the "big picture" of the employee lifecycle. From innovative recruitment practices to world-class onboarding and meaningful career progression, you will design a seamless, regenerative journey that makes Lush the most sought-after employer in retail.
Key Responsibilities
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Team Leadership: Lead and oversee the day-to-day operations of the P&C team to optimize performance, increase productivity, and—most importantly—ensure team wellbeing.
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Strategic Vision: Develop and implement a people management strategy that aligns with Lush’s ethical values and retail growth objectives.
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Coaching & Consulting: Partner with retail leaders to coach them on becoming better managers themselves, focusing on succession planning and team health.
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ER/IR Excellence: Provide expert advice on HR and ER/IR matters (Awards, legislation, and policy) to ensure our people are protected and treated fairly.
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Culture & Change: Lead organizational change initiatives with empathy and clarity, ensuring transitions are handled with a "people-first" mindset.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
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The "People Person" Gene: You have a proven track record of managing teams where people thrive. You understand that your success is measured by the success of your team.
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Strategic Foresight: You can look at a process and see how it impacts the human experience. You are a creative problem-solver who isn't afraid to challenge the status quo to improve the employee journey.
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Influencing & Collaboration: You are an expert at building relationships. You can influence senior leaders and coach them through complex people challenges with confidence and wit.
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Technical Foundations: You possess a deep understanding of the General Retail Industry Award and bring expertise in industrial and employee relations (including enterprise agreement negotiations).
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Adaptability: You are comfortable with ambiguity and can pivot quickly in a fast-paced retail environment without losing sight of your strategic goals.
Our Perfect Match Is:
- Experienced working in either Retail or Manufacturing vertical
- Friendly, kind, and approachable
Benefits
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50% discount on Lush products.
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Profit-based bonus scheme.
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Paid day off for your birthday.
- Comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme.
- A hybrid work model that respects your work-life balance.
Diversity matters. We are building a brand that represents the people of the world. It’s what you do that counts, and we are always looking to expand perspectives and voices to shape our future.
We see you, we celebrate you, we want you!
