Employee Relations Manager

RACV; City of Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous discounts across RACV products

Hybrid working model

Commitment to career development

Job summary

RACV is seeking an experienced Employee Relations (ER) leader in Melbourne to shape the employee experience through strategic advice, complex grievance management, and team leadership. The role involves navigating performance management and providing guidance on employee relations matters while engaging with regulatory bodies. Ideal candidates will have a tertiary qualification in HR or Law and extensive ER experience. The position offers a hybrid working environment with a commitment to your career development and well-being.

Qualifications

• Prior in‑house employee relations experience within a complex organisation.
• Extensive experience in employee relations or related fields.
• Strong knowledge of workplace relations legislation.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a talented team of ER Advisors.
• Provide high‑level technical advice and coaching.
• Manage senior and complex workplace investigations.

Skills

Employee relations experience

Workplace relations knowledge

Managing grievances and investigations

Regulatory engagement

Exceptional communication skills

Education

Tertiary qualification in Human Resources

Qualified lawyer (highly desirable)

Job description

Are you a seasoned ER leader/specialist who thrives on solving complex workplace challenges? This is your chance to shape the employee experience at one of Australia's most iconic brands.

Reporting to the General Manager, People & Culture, you'll be the go‑to expert on all things ER — providing high‑level technical advice, leading a talented team of Advisors, and partnering with leaders across the business to navigate everything from performance management to workplace investigations and employee relations matters.

This is a hands‑on leadership role where strategy meets execution. You will influence outcomes at every level — from coaching frontline managers through tricky conversations to advising on M&A activity and engaging with unions.

What you’ll do

You will lead and develop a talented team of ER Advisors, ensuring concise, timely and accurate advice flows across a busy and varied caseload. As the primary point of contact for our P&C Business Partnering and Shared Services teams on complex ER cases, you'll coach people leaders, Business Partners and Advisors through the end‑to‑end management of ER matters, covering performance, conduct, grievances, absence management and everything in between.

Bringing deep technical expertise, you’ll interpret Enterprise Agreements, Modern Awards and employment legislation with confidence. You will play a leading role in the ER strategy, governance and risk frameworks across the Group. You will drive the negotiation and implementation of enterprise agreements and change initiatives across our business. In this role you will be required to manage senior and complex workplace investigations, review formal investigation reports and recommendations prepared by the P&C Business Partnering team.

Working closely with the General Manager – People & Culture, you will bring a strategic lens to ER matters that reflects RACV’s commercial diversity and business priorities. You will provide strategic advice on industrial disputes, legislative options, consultative committees and union engagement, while developing and maintaining a robust framework of templates, policies and procedures that mitigate risk and drive the right outcomes.

What you’ll bring

• Prior in‑house employee relations experience within a complex organisation
• Extensive experience in employee relations, workplace relations or a related field
• Demonstrated experience managing complex grievances, investigations and disputes
• Strong working knowledge of workplace relations legislation and modern award interpretation
• Prior experience engaging with regulatory bodies, including the Fair Work Commission
• Skilled facilitator of in‑house mediations and investigations
• Sound commercial judgement — you know when to dig in, when to escape, and how to weigh up risk
• A practical, service‑driven and resilient style, with the maturity and presence to inspire confidence
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with strong attention to detail
• The ability to juggle competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment while keeping a cool head

Education

• Tertiary qualification in Human Resources, Law, Workplace Relations or related discipline (or equivalent experience)
• Qualified lawyer (admitted to practice) highly desirable

Why RACV?

• Work for a purpose‑led organisation that puts members and people first
• Generous discounts across RACV products and Services
• Hybrid working and a vibrant CBD office
• A genuine commitment to your career development, wellbeing and work‑life balance
• A values‑driven culture (IACT) where you can truly be at your best

Applicants will be required to provide evidence of their eligibility to work in Australia, and consent to a criminal record check.

At RACV, we believe that maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace is an important element in our continued success. We want our people to feel welcome, supported and appreciated for who they are and what they bring to our business. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process and/or the role, please let our Talent Acquisition Team know.