Employee Relations Manager

Michael Page; City Of Karratha, Perth; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Pilbara Ports is seeking an experienced Employee Relations Manager to provide strategic leadership across ER, IR and enterprise bargaining. Reporting to the Executive General Manager Safety, People and Environment, you will shape contemporary ER/IR practices within a large, multi-site operation.

You will influence senior leaders, manage complex investigations, and lead negotiations with unions while ensuring compliant, constructive outcomes and robust governance across the organisation.

Qualifications

• Experienced ER/IR professional.
• Extensive experience across employee relations and industrial relations.
• Proven success leading enterprise bargaining negotiations.
• Strong knowledge of the Fair Work Act, enterprise agreements and modern employment practices.
• Experience managing complex investigations and workplace disputes.
• Ability to influence and advise senior leaders.
• Strong governance experience and commercially sound outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead a constructive, compliant ER/IR program across the organisation.
• Drive enterprise bargaining negotiations with unions and representatives.
• Support workforce engagement and constructive consultation with employees.
• Manage complex investigations and disciplinary matters.
• Provide strategic guidance to executives and senior leaders.
• Monitor legislative developments and translate into practical guidance.
• Develop governance frameworks, policies and processes for ER/IR.

Skills

Employee relations

Industrial relations

Enterprise bargaining

Leadership

Governance

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or Law

Job description

High Impact Employee Relations Leadership

Newly Created Permanent Role

High Impact Employee Relations Leadership

About Our Client

Pilbara Ports is the world's largest bulk export port authority, encompassing the operating ports of Port Hedland, Dampier, Ashburton, Varanus Island. Their integrated network of ports connects the resources, industries and communities of the Pilbara with global markets. They play a central role in supporting one of Australia's most important trade regions. They operate safe, efficient and globally competitive ports, maintain critical infrastructure, support maritime safety and plan for future growth. Through their operations, planning and partnerships, they help create value for their customers, communities and the State. People are the key to their current and future success. Pilbara Ports continues to focus on building a diverse and inclusive workforce, reflecting their commitment to creating an environment where their people are engaged, included, valued and respected. They are a values driven organisation focused on safety, excellence, teamwork, integrity and care. These values shape how they work with customers, government, First Nations peoples, industry partners, communities and each other.

Job Description

Reporting to the Executive General Manager Safety, People and Environment, the Employee Relations Manager provides strategic and specialist leadership across employee relations, industrial relations and enterprise bargaining.

This is a highly visible and influential role, working closely with senior leaders, People and Capability professionals, employees, workplace representatives and unions. Combining strategic leadership with deep technical expertise, the role will positively and constructively shape contemporary ER and IR practices within a complex operational environment.

Their employees are critical to their success. The Employee Relations Manager has an important leadership role in strengthening employee relations, supporting constructive engagement and ensuring our approach to workplace relations enables both our people and the organisation to succeed.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead a constructive, compliant and relationship-based approach to employee relations and industrial relations activities across the organisation.
• Continuously improve existing constructive relationships with Pilbara Ports employees. Supporting consultation committees and positive workforce engagement.
• Manage complex and sensitive employee relations matters fairly, consistently and transparently, supporting constructive workplace outcomes while appropriately managing legal, operational and employee-related aspects.
• With support from the Executive General Manager, lead enterprise bargaining negotiations, including constructive and good-faith engagement with employees, bargaining representatives and unions. Lead and support leaders in the implementation of enterprise agreements.
• Maintain productive relationships with employees, bargaining representatives and unions.
• Identify emerging employee relations issues and workplace trends, and recommend early, constructive and lawful responses that support positive employment relationships.
• Support workforce engagement activities.
• Drive continuous improvement across ER and IR governance, frameworks, policies and processes.
• Monitor legislative developments and translate complex requirements into contemporary and practical business guidance.

The Successful Applicant

You will be an experienced ER/IR professional with a proven track record operating within large, complex and multi-site environments.

You bring:

• Extensive experience across employee relations and industrial relations.
• Demonstrated success leading enterprise bargaining negotiations.
• Strong working knowledge of the Fair Work Act, enterprise agreements, awards, contemporary workplace legislation and modern employment practices.
• Experience managing complex investigations, disciplinary matters and workplace disputes.
• The ability to influence and advise senior leaders.
• Strong governance experience and capability and a focus on fair, practical and commercially sound outcomes.

What's On Offer

This newly created permanent role will provide an opportunity for you to positively and constructively lead ER and IR across the organisation. The role can be based in either Karratha or Perth. This role will require frequent travel between the Pilbara and Perth.

A competitive salary and superannuation will be offered to the successful candidate. If based in Karratha, an additional allowance, relocation package and other regional benefits will apply.

This exciting role is a fantastic opportunity for a highly capable and experienced employee relations professional to make their mark in a complex, challenging and rewarding operation.

Quote job ref: JN-102026-7132299