Industrial Relations Lead

Sydney Water; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 140,000 - 165,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Remuneration

Hybrid Work Environment

Continuous Professional Growth

24/7 Wellbeing Support

Discounted Private Health Insurance

Family First: 18 weeks parental leave

Fitness Passport

Novated Leasing

Job summary

Sydney Water is seeking a Workplace Relations Project Specialist to lead workplace relations compliance, payroll governance, and IR projects under the Workplace Relations 2030 Roadmap. You will advise on employment legislation, enterprise agreements, and policies, while managing wage reviews and remediation programs.

The role collaborates with Payroll, Finance, Legal, and People & Culture to strengthen governance and drive improvements in workplace relations across the organisation.

Qualifications

• Experience providing employee relations, industrial relations, or HR advice within a complex organisational environment.
• Ability to interpret and apply employment policies and legislation.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead workplace relations, payroll governance, and compliance projects with specialist advice on employment legislation and enterprise agreements.
• Support enterprise bargaining, agreement implementation, and union engagement.
• Oversee wage compliance reviews, entitlement audits, and payroll remediation programs.
• Partner with Payroll, Finance, Risk, Legal, and other stakeholders to implement controls and governance.
• Lead policy governance, compliance monitoring, and audit readiness to strengthen practices.
• Mentor team members and build relationships with senior leaders.

Skills

Employee relations

IR knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Policy interpretation

Team leadership

Communication

Education

HR/IR degree or postgraduate qualification

Tools

Dayforce HRIS

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

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 the Job Title for this role is 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 ***********@sydneywater.com.au

• 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's Privacy 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.