Director Industrial Relations And Policy

the original; Sydney; On-site; AUD 264,000 - 289,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work environment

Competitive pay and conditions

Training and development opportunities

Health & wellbeing programs

Employee Assistance Programs

Job summary

Department of Communities and Justice is seeking a Director Industrial Relations and Policy in Parramatta, NSW. You will lead the industrial relations strategy, policy development and employee relations services across DCJ and Corrective Services NSW, guiding specialist teams and complex workforce reform initiatives.

You will provide strategic advice to senior executives, navigate high‑risk matters, and build productive relationships with unions, tribunals and other agencies to deliver quality

Qualifications

• Proven executive leadership in IR/employee relations.

Responsibilities

• Lead industrial relations strategy, policy development and employee relations services.
• Represent DCJ and CSNSW in unions negotiations and consultations.
• Guide organisational change and workforce reform initiatives.
• Develop and implement industrial instruments and employment policies.
• Oversee governance, risk and financial management of the function.

Skills

Executive leadership

Industrial relations

Employee relations

Stakeholder engagement

Negotiation

Education

HR/IR/Law degree

Job description

Director Industrial Relations and Policy

NSW Department of Communities and Justice – Parramatta NSW

Director Industrial Relations and Policy

Total remuneration payable: $263,555 to $289,249

About Department of Communities and Justice

The Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) is committed to improving lives and strengthening communities across New South Wales. We work to create a safe, just and inclusive society by delivering services that protect children and families, support vulnerable people, reduce reoffending, increase access to justice and contribute to safer communities. Every day, our people make a meaningful difference through work that has a lasting impact on the lives of individuals, families and communities.

About the Role

This is a significant executive leadership opportunity responsible for leading industrial relations strategy, policy development and employee relations services across one of the largest and most complex public sector agencies in New South Wales.

As Director Industrial Relations and Policy, you will provide strategic leadership and expert advice on complex industrial, workforce and employment matters across DCJ and Corrective Services NSW. You will lead specialist industrial relations and employee relations teams responsible for industrial strategy, tribunal advocacy, policy development, enterprise bargaining, union consultation and workforce reform initiatives.

The role plays a critical part in supporting senior executives to navigate complex industrial issues, organisational change and workforce reform, while ensuring compliance with legislative and NSW Government requirements. Working closely with unions, central agencies, legal providers and senior stakeholders, you will help shape industrial relations outcomes that support the Department's and Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW) strategic priorities, foster productive workplace relationships and enable effective service delivery.

What you'll do

As Director Industrial Relations and Policy, you will:

• Lead DCJ's Industrial Relations and Policy function, overseeing industrial strategy, employee relations services and workplace relations litigation.
• Provide strategic advice and guidance to senior executives on complex, sensitive and high-risk industrial and workforce matters.
• Lead the development, negotiation and implementation of industrial instruments, employment policies and workforce reform initiatives in line with NSW Government priorities.
• Represent DCJ and CSNSW in negotiations with unions and employee representatives, fostering productive consultative industrial relationships.
• Guide consultation and engagement activities associated with significant organisational change and business transformation initiatives.
• Partner with business leaders to resolve complex employee relations matters and deliver practical, high-quality solutions that support business outcomes.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with key stakeholders, including unions, central agencies, tribunals, legal advisers and other government agencies.
• Lead and develop a high-performing specialist team, driving capability, accountability, workforce planning and continuous improvement.
• Oversee governance, risk, financial and operational management to ensure the effective delivery of services and organisational objectives.

What we're looking for

We are seeking an experienced executive leader with a strong track record in industrial relations, employee relations, workforce policy and organisational change within a large and complex organisation.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Demonstrated executive leadership experience in industrial relations, employee relations, workforce policy or related functions.
• Extensive experience negotiating with unions and managing complex industrial matters within a government or similarly complex environment.
• Strong knowledge of industrial legislation, employment frameworks, dispute resolution processes and contemporary workforce management practices.
• Proven ability to develop and implement industrial relations strategies that support organisational objectives and workforce reform initiatives.
• Experience leading organisational change and providing strategic advice on complex workplace relations, consultation and workforce matters.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement, influencing and negotiation skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Demonstrated success leading and developing high-performing teams and fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Strong financial, operational and risk management experience, with a focus on delivering quality outcomes and organisational priorities.
• Tertiary qualifications in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Law or a related discipline, and/or equivalent professional experience.

Download the role description here

What We Offer

We offer a variety of benefits, including:

• A challenging and rewarding career
• Flexible, autonomous work environment
• Competitive pay and conditions
• Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities
• Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.

Want more information? Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.

We do work that really matters

Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It's work that really matters.

Are you ready to join us?

Applications close Tuesday 29 September 2026 at 11:59pm AEST.

For more information about the role, the recruitment process, or if you would benefit from an adjustment to participate in the recruitment process (including an alternative method of application submission), please contact Marijana Puric at ***************@dcj.nsw.gov.au.

Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.

Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit

We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers and other diversity groups.

To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.

Other Information

A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.

For more information visit Your recruitment journey on the DCJ website.

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.

The Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) is committed to improving lives and strengthening communities across New South Wales. We work to create a safe, just and inclusive society by delivering services that protect children and families, support vulnerable people, reduce reoffending, increase access to justice and contribute to safer communities. Every day, our people make a meaningful difference through work that has a lasting impact on the lives of individuals, families and communities.

We offer:

The Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) is committed to improving lives and strengthening communities across New South Wales. We work to create a safe, just and inclusive society by delivering services that protect children and families, support vulnerable people, reduce reoffending, increase access to justice and contribute to safer communities. Every day, our people make a meaningful difference through work that has a lasting impact on the lives of individuals, families and communities.

We offer:

The Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) is committed to improving lives and strengthening communities across New South Wales. We work to create a safe, just and inclusive society by delivering services that protect children and families, support vulnerable people, reduce reoffending, increase access to justice and contribute to safer communities. Every day, our people make a meaningful difference through work that has a lasting impact on the lives of individuals, families and communities.

Director Industrial Relations and Policy • Parramatta, NSW, AU