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.
Skills Required
- Hands-on experience managing performance and disciplinary cases, including drafting PIPs and formal outcome documentation
- Understanding of employment legislation in New Zealand or Australia, including procedural fairness in performance management
- Experience coaching and training People Leaders on best-practice performance conversations
- Ability to balance legal, commercial and people considerations and recommend practical, proportionate solutions
- Experience working in a fast-paced, matrixed environment and balancing global consistency with local nuance
- Discretion and professionalism managing emotionally complex, confidential situations
- Based in Melbourne, Sydney, Wellington, or Auckland and able to work a hybrid model
Xero Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — The U.S. package lists 21 days of annual leave, 10 days of wellbeing leave, five “Xtra” days, three year‑end company holidays, and a paid volunteer day. Global materials also point to 20+ days of annual leave and additional wellbeing time across regions, indicating broad coverage beyond the U.S.
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Parental & Family Support — Primary caregivers can receive up to 26 weeks of fully paid parental leave, with six weeks of paid partner leave. Family‑forming benefits (e.g., Carrot) and counseling/coaching access for employees and immediate family further strengthen support.
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Healthcare Strength — Medical (Cigna and Kaiser options), dental (Cigna PPO), and vision (VSP) are complemented by life, AD&D, and short/long‑term disability coverage. Modern Health mental‑health support and a funded ThrivePass wellbeing account add depth to the health offering.
Xero Insights
What We Do
Xero is small business accounting software that provides a platform on which businesses can build a fully integrated solution. It’s designed to make life better for people in small business, their advisors, and communities around the world. Xero minimises tedious admin by automating routine tasks, delivers valuable insights when needed, and brings together business data, trusted advisors, and powerful apps in one intuitive platform. By alleviating pain points, Xero empowers small business owners to supercharge their business, simplifying the complex and freeing up time from manual admin so they can focus on what really matters to build the business they’ve always envisaged.
Why Work With Us
Xero is a human-centric organization where you’ll have a tangible impact on the success of small businesses and their communities, globally. Our team of energised, forward-thinkers work to make life better for our customers and each other every day. We’re also always committed to supporting you with a flexible environment.
Gallery
Xero Teams
Xero Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
Join us from home or at one of our beautiful workspaces. Xero has offices in Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Singapore, and South Africa.
