HR Advisor (6 month fixed term)

The role & impact

As a People Experience (PX/ HR) Advisor, you'll provide dedicated, expert HR advice on performance matters, from informal coaching conversations through to formal performance management and disciplinary processes. You'll act as the specialist point of contact for performance-related matters across New Zealand and Australia, helping ensure Xero's approach stays fair, consistent and legislatively sound.

This is a 6 month fixed term opportunity where you'll manage a caseload of performance cases, including underperformance and Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs), while helping shape how we support People Leaders through some of the most sensitive conversations they'll have at work.

The team & how they connect

You'll sit within the global HR Advisory team, working closely with HR Business Partners and People Leaders to manage performance cases with care and consistency. The team partners across the business to keep performance practices fair, human-centred and compliant with local legislation, and connects regularly with the HR Centres of Excellence to feed case insights back into future programme and training design.

Initially, you will focus on

• Managing a caseload of performance matters, including PIPs and related disciplinary processes

• Drafting and quality-checking performance documentation, from outcome letters to formal warnings

• Coaching People Leaders on best-practice performance conversations

• Using case insights and data to spot trends and recommend proactive interventions

Where and how you can work

This role is based in Melbourne, Sydney, Wellington, or Auckland, working in a hybrid model that combines in office collaboration with the flexibility to work from home. Our boost days bring the team together in person for connection and collaborative work, with the rest of the week flexible to suit how you work best.

Here are some of the things we're looking for, for this role

• You'll bring hands-on experience managing performance and disciplinary cases, including drafting PIPs and formal outcome documentation

• Your understanding of employment legislation in New Zealand or Australia extends to procedural fairness as it applies to performance management

• You've coached and trained People Leaders on best-practice performance conversations

• Balancing legal, commercial and people considerations comes naturally when you're recommending practical, proportionate solutions

• Working across a fast-paced, matrixed environment doesn't faze you, and you know how to balance global consistency with local nuance

• Discretion and professionalism guide how you manage emotionally complex, confidential situations

Apply even if your experience isn't a perfect match! At Xero, we hire based on your skills, passion, and the unique perspective you can bring to enhance our culture and team.