Head, Employee Relations

mq; Sydney; On-site; AUD 216,000 - 264,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

17% superannuation

Job summary

Macquarie University, Wallumattagal Campus, North Ryde, is seeking a Head of Employee Relations to provide strategic oversight of the employee and industrial relations function across the University Group, including Macquarie University Hospital and controlled entities.

In this senior role, you will guide enterprise bargaining, implement enterprise agreements, mentor ER teams, and build strong relationships with unions to support fair, compliant people management and a collaborative workplace.

Qualifications

• HR, IR or legal qualifications and related experience.
• Deep understanding of the employment-related legal framework.
• Experience overseeing complex case management, dispute resolution and change management.
• Experience contributing to enterprise agreement bargaining and implementation across varied industrial contexts.
• Proven mentoring ability and capability-building.
• Experience developing relations with unions and stakeholders.
• Experience in risk management; Higher Education context considered advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Oversee high-quality employee relations advice for complex cases and enterprise agreements.
• Lead a whole-of-HR approach to conduct, performance and change management projects.
• Oversee enterprise agreements/awards planning and negotiation across contexts.
• Coach ER and HR staff and build team capability.
• Develop and maintain productive union relationships to promote harmony.
• Represent the University in meetings with unions and in employment proceedings.
• Develop, maintain and review HR policies with employment/IR elements.
• Participate in HR Leadership Team to shape culture and ensure compliance.

Skills

HR experience

IR expertise

Legal knowledge

Education

HR, IR or legal qualifications

Job description

Lead the University Group's employee and industrial relations function, providing strategic direction and oversight of complex workplace relations matters, enterprise agreement bargaining and implementation, employment policies, and union relationships.

Package Circa $240K including up to 17% superannuation negotiable

Full time, continuing appointment

Macquarie University, Wallumattagal Campus, North Ryde

Provide strategic oversight of employee relations across a leading University group

Macquarie University is seeking a Head, Employee Relations to provide strategic oversight of our employee and industrial relations function across the University Group, including Macquarie University, Macquarie University Hospital and our controlled entities.

In this senior role, you will guide the University Group through complex workplace matters, enterprise agreement implementation and bargaining, and union relationships. You will help ensure our people management practices are fair, effective and aligned with legislative obligations, while contributing to a high-performing, collaborative and respectful workplace culture.

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution at scale, partnering across Human Resources and the wider University to help realise our strategic objectives and enhance the working lives of our academic and professional community.

About the Role

Reporting to the Chief People Officer and leading a team of Senior Employee Relations Consultants and a Health Management Advisor, you will:

• Oversee the provision of high-quality employee relations advice and services to key stakeholders, particularly in relation to complex cases, dispute resolution and matters under the University Group's Enterprise Agreements and awards, ensuring processes are managed fairly and in line with legislative and procedural requirements.
• Guide a whole-of-HR approach to managing complex matters, from conduct and performance to significant change management projects, including effective case management, elevation and intervention.
• Oversee the implementation of the University Group's Enterprise Agreements and Awards and provide significant input into the planning and negotiation of enterprise agreements across a range of industrial contexts.
• Provide coaching, professional guidance and mentoring to ER and HR team members and identify capability-building opportunities to enhance individual and team performance.
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with unions to promote industrial harmony and effective workplace relations solutions.
• Represent the University and its controlled entities in meetings and negotiations with unions, and in employment-related legal proceedings where required.
• Take a lead role in the development, maintenance and review of HR policy, particularly policies with an employment and industrial relations element.
• Actively participate in the HR Leadership Team, model expected behaviours, and help shape a positive workplace culture, while ensuring compliance with relevant EEO and WHS obligations.

About Us

Human Resources provides advice and services to the University and its controlled entities (including Macquarie University Hospital) across the attraction, selection, performance, development and remuneration of our workforce, and ensures compliance with relevant workforce legislation.

Employee Relations is a specialist HR team responsible for advising on the development and implementation of industrial instruments, complex case management of complaints and matters relating to performance, conduct and workplace change, and liaison with unions on industrial issues. The team works in close consultation with HR Business Partners, HR Shared Services, and specialist teams across Capability, Culture and Inclusion and Talent Acquisition to deliver responsive, high-quality service.

About You (Selection Criteria)

• HR, IR or legal qualifications and related experience.
• Deep understanding of the employment-related legal framework and principles.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing complex case management, dispute resolution and change management processes.
• Experience contributing to enterprise agreement bargaining and implementation across varied industrial contexts.
• Proven capability in mentoring and developing team members and building organisational capability.
• Experience developing and maintaining effective relationships with unions and a broad range of stakeholders.
• Strong experience in and understanding of risk management practices.
• Experience working within the Higher Education context would be highly regarded.