Paul Sherman
Animal Keeper, Hamilton Island Wildlife Park
Paul Sherman is a seasoned HR professional with over a decade of experience building people-first workplaces, scaling teams, and keeping organisations running smoothly from the inside out. He's the person companies call when they need an HR department built from nothing - and he's done exactly that, growing a startup's headcount from 4 to 37 while putting the HR infrastructure in place to support that growth. He's equally comfortable configuring complex HRIS platforms like PeopleSoft and Taleo as he is sitting across the table from a candidate or navigating a sensitive employee relations issue. Paul has led teams, managed full payroll cycles, designed benefits programs, and reported directly to General Managers - all while keeping the human element front and centre. His career story is one of a consummate generalist who thrives in environments where no two days are the same, and who genuinely believes that getting the people side of a business right is what makes everything else work. Trilingual in English, German, and Spanish, Paul brings both practical expertise and a broad worldview to every team he joins.
Experience
Senior HR Manager
02-2023 — PresentSharkProtection Ltd., Sydney, Australia
- Directs the full HR generalist function across the organisation - covering compensation and benefits, employee relations, training and development, and performance management all at once.
- Manages payroll administration and time/attendance tracking through PeopleSoft HRIS, keeping processes accurate and compliant.
- Sits on the Management Team, reporting directly to the General Manager/VP and contributing HR perspective to broader business decisions.
HR Manager
02-2023 — PresentWallaby Aquariums Ltd., Sydney, Australia
- Oversees the day-to-day HR department operation, including payroll management and HRIS auditing in line with GDPR requirements.
- Owns the full recruitment lifecycle - from writing job postings and reviewing resumes through to interviewing, making offers, background checks, drug testing, and new hire orientation.
- Serves as Plan Administrator for all employee benefits and learning and development programs.
Senior Recruiting Consultant (Interim)
01-2011 — 01-2018Wallaby Aquariums Ltd., Sydney, Australia
- Focused on rebuilding the candidate and hiring manager experience by rethinking processes and making smarter use of available technology.
- Configured and administered both the HRIS and learning platform, handling troubleshooting, user access, workflow changes, and offer letter management.
- Served as the go-to person for all ATS (Taleo) configuration and functionality changes.
- Managed high-volume full lifecycle recruiting across hourly and salaried roles, keeping a consistent focus on building a diverse and talented workforce.
Education
Bachelor Professional Human Resources (CCI) in Human Resources
01-1998 — 01-1999Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI)
- Professional qualification in Human Resources through the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
- Covers core HR disciplines including employment law, compensation, recruitment, and workforce management.