Industrial Relations Lead

SunWater; Townsville City; On-site; AUD 165,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

Sunwater in Queensland seeks an experienced Industrial Relations Lead to shape and drive the IR strategy during a period of organisational transformation. You will collaborate with leaders, unions and employee representatives to deliver compliant workforce relations and effective consultation across the business.

The role requires strong expertise in industrial relations, enterprise bargaining and employee relations, with the ability to influence at senior levels.

Qualifications

• Experience leading Enterprise Agreement negotiations and employee relations matters.
• Qualifications in Human Resources, Business, Law or a related discipline.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills with unions and leaders.

Responsibilities

• Lead Sunwater’s industrial relations strategy and relationships across the organisation.
• Lead Enterprise Agreement negotiations and stakeholder engagement with unions.
• Provide expert advice on industrial and employee relations matters and workplace investigations.
• Partner with leaders to identify and manage employee relations risks and ensure compliant practices.
• Monitor legislative developments and provide guidance on risks and opportunities.
• Support organisational change initiatives with strategic IR advice and effective consultation.
• Develop productive relationships with external stakeholders, including regulatory bodies.

Skills

Industrial relations

Enterprise bargaining

Employee relations

Stakeholder engagement

Education

HR/Business/Law degree

Job description

Work. At Sunwater, you’ll find a workplace where your expertise is valued, your ideas are welcomed, and the work you do makes a genuine difference.

We are looking for an experienced and influential Industrial Relations professional to join our People & Change team as our new Industrial Relations Lead. This is an exciting opportunity to lead Sunwater’s industrial relations strategy during a period of organisational transformation and change.

As the subject matter expert for Industrial Relations, you’ll work closely with leaders across the business, build constructive relationships with unions and employee representatives, and play a critical role in shaping our approach to workforce relations, compliance and people management. Other key responsibilities include:

• Lead Sunwater’s industrial relations strategy, fostering positive and productive employment relationships across the organisation.
• Lead Enterprise Agreement negotiations, consultation activities and stakeholder engagement with unions and employee representatives.
• Provide expert advice to leaders and the People & Change team on complex industrial and employee relations matters, workplace investigations and compliance requirements.
• Partner with leaders across the business to proactively identify and manage employee relations risks and ensure our people practices remain contemporary, practical and compliant.
• Monitor legislative, regulatory and industrial relations developments, providing guidance on emerging risks and opportunities.
• Support organisational change initiatives by providing strategic industrial relations advice and ensuring effective consultation processes.
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with key external stakeholders, including unions, employee representatives and regulatory bodies.

We’re looking for an experienced Industrial Relations professional with strong expertise in industrial relations, enterprise bargaining and employee relations, supported by qualifications in Human Resources, Business, Law or a related discipline. You’ll bring experience leading Enterprise Agreement negotiations, workplace investigations and complex employee relations matters, coupled with strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills. This is a unique opportunity to partner with senior leaders, shape organisation-wide industrial relations outcomes and make a meaningful impact on Sunwater’s people, culture and future direction.

Join Sunwater in this full-time, permanent role, available for an immediate start and based either in our Fortitude Valley office or one of our regional office locations. You'll be rewarded with a base salary starting from $165,882, plus 12.75% superannuation and 17.5% leave loading. We also offer a flexible and supportive working environment, including a balanced 38-hour week to help you achieve a healthy work-life balance.

Water. Imagine a career where your work truly matters, where you are part of a team that values you and your contributions. At Sunwater, you will bring life’s most essential resource to over 4,500 agriculture, urban and industrial customers, helping to sustain communities and deliver water for prosperity across regional Queensland. We share the values of these communities - starting with caring about our people. Engage in fascinating work that is constantly evolving, allowing you to grow and shape a successful career and develop unique skills and experience in an industry brimming with opportunity.

Life. At Sunwater, we believe our employees are our greatest asset, and we are committed to providing the support, resources and benefits that you need to thrive. That's why we offer a range of attractive benefits designed to help you bring your best every day, including:

• My benefits: Access employee benefits and discounts hosted by Reward Gateway
• My wellbeing: Prioritise your wellbeing with our comprehensive health and wellness offerings and programs
• My time: Enjoy flexible working arrangements and the ability to purchase up to 4 additional weeks of leave (full-time permanent employees only)
• My growth: Access career development programs, study assistance, support for professional memberships, and structured early‑career pathways (full-time permanent employees only)

Now is the perfect time to join Sunwater and take advantage of the boundless opportunities for your career today and in the future. We are a diverse team and proud of the unique journeys and stories each of us brings.

As we continue to grow, we need more diverse backgrounds and perspectives than ever before. We are committed to a barrier‑free recruitment process and work environment. If you require any accommodations, please let us know so we can ensure you can fully participate in our recruitment experience, which includes reference verification, psychometric testing, background checks and a pre‑employment medical evaluation.

Sunwater acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first peoples of this country and Traditional Custodians of the land and water we rely on. We respect and value their continued sacred connection to Country, including the diverse, rich traditions, languages and customs that are the longest living in the world.