Employee Relations Lead

Australian Unity; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus program

Well-being leave

Parental leave

Employee Referral Program

Employee Assistance Program

Discounts across Australian Unity

LinkedIn Learning access

Job summary

Australian Unity is seeking an Employee Relations Lead to drive the Workplace Support & Resolutions function. You will lead a team of three, shape case progression, and ensure legal, practical outcomes aligned with our values.

The role requires 5–7 years in ER, law or HR qualifications, and the ability to translate complex employment matters into clear advice. A collaborative, compliant leader will excel in a client-focused environment.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years in workplace or employee relations with complex case handling.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day delivery of the Employee Relations team.
• Coach team to manage cases with lawful, practical outcomes.
• Support case management across ER matters including performance, conduct and investigations.
• Collaborate with Injury Management, Workforce Operations, and IR teams to ensure clear processes.
• Develop and maintain ER frameworks, templates, tools, and reporting.
• Identify trends, risks and escalation of material matters to leadership.
• Review policies and guidance within the ER remit.
• Lead, develop and model Australian Unity's culture and leadership behaviours.

Skills

Employee relations

Governance

Case management

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Organisational skills

Education

Law degree

HR/IR qualification

Job description

Established in 1840, we are Australia's first wellbeing company, delivering health, wealth and care services for our members and the community.

As a social enterprise, we're motivated by our purpose to positively impact the wellbeing of millions. We reinvest profits to deliver products and services sustainably that matter most to our members, customers and the Australian community.

For us, Real Wellbeing encompasses the whole experience of life. It's about feeling supported in your health, connected with your community and empowered to live life on your terms.

The Opportunity

The Employee Relations Lead is responsible for leading the Employee Relations team within the Workplace Support & Resolutions function, under the direction of the Head of Workplace Support & Resolutions. Leading a team of three direct reports, this role manages workload, supports case progression, embeds agreed processes, monitors output quality, and supports continuous development.

Working closely with the Injury Management Lead, Industrial Relations & Employment Compliance team and broader People & Culture functions, the role helps deliver a cohesive, efficient, and continuously improving workplace support service for Australian Unity.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Lead the day-to-day delivery of the Employee Relations team, ensuring matters are triaged, allocated, progressed, and completed in line with agreed priorities and escalation pathways.
• Coach and guide the Employee Relations team to manage cases effectively, delivering timely, practical, and legally sound outcomes aligned to Australian Unity's values, policies, and risk appetite.
• Support effective case management across ER matters including performance, conduct, grievances, investigations, medical incapacity, workplace rights and high-risk or sensitive matters.
• Work closely with Injury Management, Workforce Operations, Industrial Relations & Employment Compliance, and broader People & Culture teams to ensure connected processes operate clearly and effectively.
• Develop and maintain ER frameworks, templates, tools, guidance materials, reporting inputs, and service insights to support consistent and efficient delivery.
• Identify case trends, operational risks, compliance issues and improvement opportunities, escalating material matters to the Head of Workplace Support & Resolutions as required.
• Support the review and development of workplace policies, procedures, and leader guidance within the ER remit, ensuring alignment with employment obligations and practical business needs.
• Lead, support, and develop the Employee Relations team, building capability, maintaining compliance and role modelling Australian Unity's culture and leadership behaviours.

You will bring:

• Considerable experience in workplace or employee relations (at least 5 - 7 years' experience), including complex case management, governance, escalation and sensitive or high-risk matters.
• Experience guiding ER professionals and supporting senior leaders with practical, risk-aligned advice.
• Ability to translate complex legal and employment matters into clear advice, practical options, and sound resolution pathways in a highly regulated human services sector.
• Tertiary qualifications in law is preferred; relevant qualifications in human resources, industrial relations or a related discipline will also be considered.
• Strong knowledge of Australian employment legislation, workplace institutions, and employee relations practices.
• Experience engaging with employees, representatives, lawyers, unions, tribunals, or external dispute processes.
• Experience developing ER frameworks, policies, processes, tools, training materials, reports, or senior-level briefings.
• Strong judgement, influencing, negotiation, relationship building, analytical and organisational skills.

Why Join Us?

You will enjoy a range of great employee benefits and rewards including:

• Competitive salary + bonus program
• Enjoy additional yearly Well-Being and Community leave days.
• 14-week paid parental leave, with equal benefit for both parents
• Employee Referral Program
• Employee Assistance Program - support and assistance for you and your partner at those times in life when you need it most.
• Flare/Maxxia Rewards - a great range of discounts and benefits at selected retail outlets, department stores, attractions, travel, cinemas, restaurants.
• Discounts across the Australian Unity business including Private Health Insurance, General Insurance + more!
• Available access to LinkedIn Learning courses through our great Learning platform

For further benefits visit: https://www.australianunity.com.au/careers/culture

Australian Unity is an Equal Opportunity employer and we encourage applications from all members of the community, including people of Aboriginal and Torres strait Islander descent, culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and, mature, aged people.