Industrial Relations Lead

Sydney Water; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Competitive remuneration

Career development programs

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Sydney Water is seeking a Workplace Relations Project Specialist (IR Lead) to drive workplace relations compliance, payroll governance and IR projects under the Workplace Relations 2030 Roadmap.

You will provide specialist advice on employment legislation, enterprise agreements and policies while collaborating with Payroll, Finance, Legal and People & Culture to strengthen governance and ensure compliant operations in a Parramatta-based hybrid role.

Qualifications

• Experience advising on employee and industrial relations in a complex organisation.
• Experience interpreting employment policies and industrial instruments.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management.
• Ability to prioritise and deliver in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of Fair Work Act and enterprise agreements is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead workplace relations, payroll governance, and compliance projects.
• Provide specialist advice on employment legislation, enterprise agreements, and workplace policies.
• Manage wage compliance reviews, payroll remediation, and agreement implementation.
• Partner with Payroll, Finance, Risk, Legal, and People & Culture to implement controls.
• Oversee policy governance, audit readiness, and continuous improvement.
• Mentor team members and build strong stakeholder relationships for senior leaders.

Skills

Employee relations

Industrial relations

HR advice

Stakeholder management

Communication

Change management

Education

Advanced qualification in Human Resources / Industrial Relations / Employment Law

Job description

• Join a newly formed Workplace Relations team that partners with key stakeholders across Sydney Water on complex employee and industrial relations matters.
• Collaborative, practical team focused on building capability, sharing knowledge and delivering sound outcomes.
• EA 16 (35 hours) - $153,348.95 + super. Parramatta based with hybrid working available

• Join a newly formed Workplace Relations team that partners with key stakeholders across Sydney Water on complex employee and industrial relations matters.
• Collaborative, practical team focused on building capability, sharing knowledge and delivering sound outcomes.
• EA 16 (35 hours) - $153,348.95 + super. Parramatta based with hybrid working available

About the Role

The Workplace Relations Project Specialist (IR Lead) leads workplace relations compliance, payroll governance, and industrial relations projects under the Workplace Relations 2030 Roadmap. The role provides specialist advice on employment legislation, enterprise agreements, and workplace policies, while managing wage compliance reviews, payroll remediation programs, and enterprise agreement implementation.

Working across Payroll, Finance, Legal, and People & Culture, the position identifies and mitigates compliance risks, strengthens governance and controls, and drives continuous improvement in workplace relations practices and organisational compliance.

NB. Internally this role is titled Workplace Relations Project Specialist

Key Responsibilities

• Lead workplace relations, payroll governance, and compliance projects, providing specialist advice on employment legislation, enterprise agreements, and workplace policies.
• Support enterprise bargaining, agreement implementation, and union engagement, ensuring effective interpretation and application of industrial instruments.
• Lead wage compliance reviews, entitlement audits, payroll investigations, and remediation programs to address compliance risks and employee obligations.
• Partner with Payroll, Finance, Risk, Legal, and other stakeholders to implement sustainable controls, governance frameworks, and compliance assurance activities.
• Oversee policy governance, compliance monitoring, audit readiness, and continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen workplace relations practices.
• Lead and mentor team members while building strong stakeholder relationships and providing risk-based recommendations to senior leaders.

About You

You will hold a further qualification in Human Resources, Employee Relations, Industrial Relations, Business, Law or a related discipline (and ideally Postgraduate qualifications or specialised studies in Employee Relations, Industrial Relations or Employment Law)

In addition, we are looking for:

• Experience providing employee relations, industrial relations, or human resources advice within a complex organisational environment.
• Demonstrated capability managing employee relations matters, including performance, misconduct, grievances, policy interpretation, and workplace investigations.
• Proven ability to partner with leaders to deliver effective people and business outcomes.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, communication, and relationship management skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience interpreting and applying employment policies, procedures, and related documentation.
• Experience interpreting and applying the Fair Work Act, Enterprise Agreements, Modern Awards, and other industrial relations frameworks.
• Experience supporting organisational change, union engagement, consultation processes, and enterprise bargaining activities.

Does this sound like you?

Applications close Sunday 27th September 2026 at 11.59 AEST

We support you throughout the application process and can provide adjustments where required.

For more information, please contact Marc Evans, Talent Acquisition Partner at [e-mail]

Please refer to the JOB PROFILE for full role accountabilities.

Dive into Our Great Benefits:

• Competitive Remuneration: We'll ensure your skills and contributions are recognised and rewarded.
• Hybrid Work Environment: A flexible balance of office collaboration and remote working.
• Continuous Professional Growth: Access to leadership and development programs to support your career.
• 24/7 Wellbeing Support: Free and confidential wellbeing services for you and your family through our Employee Assistance Program.
• Discounted Private Health Insurance: Access affordable health cover options.
• Family First: Up to 18 weeks paid parental leave and childcare support benefits.
• Fitness Passport: Access to a wide network of gyms and aquatic centres across NSW.
• Novated Leasing: Flexible vehicle financing options to support your lifestyle.

As part of the application process, Sydney Water will be collecting your personal information to assess your suitability for the role. Your personal information may also be used to establish a Dayforce talent profile. Your personal information will be collected in accordance with Dayforce’s Terms and Privacy Policy and Sydney Water’sPrivacy Collection Statement – recruitment. Please note as part of the application process, you will be asked to undergo background checks which include a criminal history check.