Head of ER/IR

The Next Step Recruitment; Sydney; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 160,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible engagement options

Immediate start opportunity

Job summary

The Next Step Recruitment is seeking an experienced Employee & Industrial Relations professional to lead a critical workplace relations program for a large national organisation in Sydney. This 4–6 month contract offers the potential for extension or conversion to permanent employment.

Reporting to a senior executive leader, you will shape industrial relations strategy, support enterprise bargaining initiatives, and enhance organisational capability across employee relations.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in industrial relations and enterprise bargaining.
• Experience working with unions and employee representative groups.
• Strong knowledge of Australian employment legislation and workplace relations frameworks.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and navigate complex organisational environments.
• Excellent communication and relationship management skills.
• Hands-on, solutions-focused style and the confidence to work autonomously.

Responsibilities

• Lead industrial relations initiatives and enterprise bargaining preparations.
• Develop and implement industrial frameworks to support a growing workforce.
• Partner with operational leaders to ensure agreements support future business needs.
• Manage complex employee relations matters and provide expert advice on risk and compliance.
• Support the enhancement of Respect at Work and workplace relations frameworks.
• Coach and upskill HR and business leaders on employee relations best practice.
• Build trusted relationships across a diverse and geographically dispersed workforce.

Skills

ER/IR expertise

Industrial relations

Enterprise bargaining

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Unions experience

Job description

Sydney CBD| 4-6 Month Contract | Potential Extension or convert to perm

About the Role

A large, nationally recognised organisation is seeking an experienced Employee & Industrial Relations professional to lead a critical workplace relations program during a period of growth and transformation.

This newly created role has been established to provide specialist ER/IR expertise, allowing the broader People & Culture team to focus on strategic business partnering priorities. Reporting to a senior executive leader, you will play a pivotal role in shaping industrial relations strategy, supporting enterprise bargaining initiatives, and enhancing organisational capability across employee relations.

A large, nationally recognised organisation is seeking an experienced Employee & Industrial Relations professional to lead a critical workplace relations program during a period of growth and transformation.

This newly created role has been established to provide specialist ER/IR expertise, allowing the broader People & Culture team to focus on strategic business partnering priorities. Reporting to a senior executive leader, you will play a pivotal role in shaping industrial relations strategy, supporting enterprise bargaining initiatives, and enhancing organisational capability across employee relations.

The Opportunity

This is a highly visible role where you'll work closely with senior stakeholders to:

• Lead industrial relations initiatives and enterprise bargaining preparations.
• Develop and implement industrial frameworks to support a growing workforce.
• Partner with operational leaders to ensure agreements support future business needs.
• Manage complex employee relations matters and provide expert advice on risk and compliance.
• Support the enhancement of Respect at Work and workplace relations frameworks.
• Coach and upskill HR and business leaders on employee relations best practice.
• Build trusted relationships across a diverse and geographically dispersed workforce.

About You

You are a seasoned ER/IR professional who combines strong technical expertise with a pragmatic and collaborative approach.

You will bring:

• Demonstrated experience in industrial relations and enterprise bargaining.
• Experience working with unions and employee representative groups.
• Strong knowledge of Australian employment legislation and workplace relations frameworks.
• The ability to influence senior stakeholders and navigate complex organisational environments.
• Excellent communication and relationship management skills.
• A hands-on, solutions-focused style and the confidence to work autonomously.

This role could suit an experienced IR specialist seeking an interesting project assignment, or a high-performing ER/IR professional ready to step into a broader leadership role.

About Culture & Benefits

• Immediate start opportunity.
• High-profile role with significant organisational impact.
• Supportive executive leadership team.
• Flexible engagement options (contractor or fixed-term considered).