Lawyer | Workplace Relations Policy & Advocacy

Carlyle Kingswood Global; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

Carlyle Kingswood Global is assisting a leading national employer organisation to recruit a solicitor to join its National Workplace Relations Policy & Advocacy team in Sydney. You''ll work on legislative reform, major test cases before the Fair Work Commission, and advise members on complex matters.

The role offers a genuinely incremental hire into a flat, collaborative team reporting to the Principal Advisor, with exposure to issues shaping the national conversation and hybrid flexibility.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical and written communication abilities.
• Genuine interest in workplace relations policy and advocacy.
• Prior exposure to the Fair Work Commission is highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Support major proceedings before the Fair Work Commission and courts, including test cases on modern award variations and industrial laws.
• Prepare submissions to government and statutory authorities on legislative reform.
• Engage with government, unions and industry on workplace relations issues.
• Advise and represent members on complex, high-profile matters.
• Keep members and colleagues informed on workplace relations developments.

Skills

Analytical skills

Written communication

Workplace relations policy

Fair Work Commission exposure

Job description

A rare opportunity to join one of Australia's most respected workplace relations teams, working at the forefront of major test cases, legislative reform and high-profile industrial matters.

The Opportunity

Our client, a leading national employer organisation, is looking for a solicitor to join its National Workplace Relations Policy & Advocacy team — one of the largest specialised employment and workplace relations practices in the country. You'll work alongside a high-calibre team advocating for industry on legislative and regulatory change, running major test cases before the Fair Work Commission, and advising members on complex, often high-profile matters.

This is an incremental hire into a flat, collaborative team - not a backfill - reporting directly to the team's Principal Advisor. You'll be joining at a genuinely exciting time for the workplace relations system, with real exposure to the issues shaping the national conversation.

What You'll Be Doing

• Supporting major proceedings before the Fair Work Commission and courts, including test cases on modern award variations and the interpretation of industrial laws — advocacy responsibilities grow over time, starting in a supporting capacity alongside the team's Principal Advocate and senior practitioners
• Preparing submissions to government and statutory authorities on legislative reform, and contributing to parliamentary inquiries
• Engaging directly with government, unions and industry on workplace relations issues
• Advising and representing members on complex, high-profile individual matters
• Helping keep members and colleagues informed on workplace relations developments

About You

• Around 3 years PQE, gained in a leading law firm, employer organisation or government body
• Strong analytical and written communication skills
• A genuine interest in workplace relations policy and advocacy
• Prior exposure to the Fair Work Commission highly regarded — ideally with top-tier private practice experience

What's On Offer

• Flexible depending on the candidate's experience and calibre
• A clear progression pathway within a broader national Workplace Legal Consulting team of 30–40 lawyers, spanning policy, advocacy and manufacturing-sector work
• Genuine hybrid flexibility - two days in the office, two remote
• Minimal travel requirements, with only occasional trips for conferences or case-related matters
• A close-knit, flat team structure with direct exposure to senior practitioners and high-profile work
• Sydney-based, with some flexibility for Melbourne candidates