Employee Relations Director

T+O+M Executive; Sydney; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

T+O+M Executive in Sydney is seeking a senior HR and Employee Relations leader to deliver advisory services across a large national organisation. You will lead a team of HR/ER specialists, ensure complex people matters are managed proactively and in line with legislation, while balancing risk, employee experience, culture and wellbeing.

Reporting to a senior ER leader, you will drive continuous improvement across People & Culture frameworks, mentor leaders, and contribute to strategy shaping

Qualifications

• 7+ years' experience in Employee Relations, Industrial Relations or closely related field within a complex organisation.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing specialist HR or ER teams.
• Tertiary qualifications in HR, Employee Relations, Employment Law or a related discipline.
• Strong working knowledge of employment legislation, industrial instruments and workplace policies.
• Experience managing complex ER matters and dispute resolution processes.
• Sound understanding of the Fair Work framework and relevant anti-discrimination legislation.
• Ability to interpret technical ER issues and provide practical, commercial advice.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of HR and Employee Relations specialists, overseeing the delivery of complex ER matters across a large and dynamic organisation.
• Provide expert advice on people-related issues, deliver meaningful reporting and insights, manage risk, and contribute to executive-level decision making.
• Partner with legal and business stakeholders on sensitive employee relations matters, including external proceedings and dispute resolution when required.
• Drive continuous improvement across ER frameworks, policies, processes, templates, and ways of working.
• Shape best-practice advisory services, monitor legislative developments, build capability across leaders and the ER team, and develop people initiatives that support business outcomes and employee experience.

Skills

People leadership

Employee Relations

Industrial Relations

HR advisory

Policy governance

Legislation knowledge

Stakeholder management

Education

Tertiary qualifications in HR/ER/Law

Job description

This is a leadership role responsible for delivering high-quality HR and Employee Relations advisory services across a large and complex national organisation. Leading a team of HR/ER Specialists, you'll ensure complex people matters are managed proactively, consistently, and in line with legislative requirements, while balancing risk, employee experience, culture, and wellbeing.

A key focus of the role is driving continuous improvement across People & Culture frameworks, policies, processes, systems, governance, templates, and leader resources. The successful person will play a hands-on role in coaching and developing both the advisory team and business leaders, building capability and confidence in managing people matters effectively.

Reporting to a senior ER leader, this role will also contribute to broader Employee Relations and Industrial Relations strategy, providing thought leadership and helping shape best-practice people solutions across the organisation.

The Role

This is a leadership role responsible for delivering high-quality HR and Employee Relations advisory services across a large and complex national organisation. Leading a team of HR/ER Specialists, you'll ensure complex people matters are managed proactively, consistently, and in line with legislative requirements, while balancing risk, employee experience, culture, and wellbeing.

A key focus of the role is driving continuous improvement across People & Culture frameworks, policies, processes, systems, governance, templates, and leader resources. The successful person will play a hands-on role in coaching and developing both the advisory team and business leaders, building capability and confidence in managing people matters effectively.

Reporting to a senior ER leader, this role will also contribute to broader Employee Relations and Industrial Relations strategy, providing thought leadership and helping shape best-practice people solutions across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

You'll lead and develop a team of HR and Employee Relations specialists, overseeing the delivery of complex ER matters across a large and dynamic organisation. Working closely with senior leaders, you'll provide expert advice on people-related issues, deliver meaningful reporting and insights, manage risk, and contribute to executive-level decision making. You'll also partner with legal and business stakeholders on sensitive employee relations matters, including external proceedings and dispute resolution when required.

A key focus of the role is driving continuous improvement across ER frameworks, policies, processes, templates, and ways of working. You'll help shape best-practice advisory services, monitor legislative developments, build capability across leaders and the ER team, and play an active role in developing people initiatives that support both business outcomes and employee experience. Key focus of the role is driving continuous improvement across ER frameworks, policies, processes, templates, and ways of working. You'll help shape best-practice advisory services, monitor legislative developments, build capability across leaders and the ER team, and play an active role in developing people initiatives that support both business outcomes and employee experience.

About You

• 7+ years' experience in Employee Relations, Industrial Relations or a closely related field within a complex organisation.

• Demonstrated experience leading and developing specialist HR or ER teams.

• Tertiary qualifications in HR, Employee Relations, Employment Law or a related discipline.

• Strong working knowledge of employment legislation, industrial instruments and workplace policies.

• Experience managing complex ER matters and dispute resolution processes.

• Sound understanding of the Fair Work framework and relevant anti-discrimination legislation.

• Ability to interpret technical ER issues and provide practical, commercial advice.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a large organisation undergoing significant transformation. The business is focused on strengthening people practices, enhancing service delivery, improving reporting and operational efficiency, and building greater capability across leaders and teams.

The environment is fast-paced and evolving, making it well suited to a commercially minded ER leader who enjoys driving change, influencing stakeholders and creating practical people solutions that deliver business outcomes.