Lead - Employee Relations

Orica Limited; City of Brisbane; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Orica is seeking a Lead - Employee Relations to join the Australia Pacific People & Culture team, with preferred locations Brisbane, Newcastle or Melbourne. This role operates in a hybrid work from office and home arrangement on the East Coast, serving as the ER expert across a diverse workforce.

You will partner with leaders to deliver fair, compliant outcomes, lead investigations, support change initiatives and strengthen ER governance while reducing risk.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in Employee Relations or related field.
• Experience managing complex ER matters and workplace investigations.
• Strong knowledge of Australian employment legislation and Awards.
• Experience advising leaders on sensitive workplace issues.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills with trend identification.
• Experience supporting manufacturing or operational environments.

Responsibilities

• Act as the Employee Relations subject matter expert across the Australia Pacific region, providing advice on complex and sensitive workplace matters.
• Lead workplace investigations, grievances, complaints and disciplinary processes.
• Partner with People & Culture and business leaders to deliver fair, practical and compliant employee outcomes.
• Support organisational change initiatives, consultation requirements and employment disputes.
• Develop tools to analyse workplace trends and insights, and recommend proactive solutions to reduce risk and improve people practices.
• Drive continuous improvement of ER governance, policies, frameworks and employment documentation.
• Build leader and People Advisory capability through coaching, training and practical support on employee relations and employment obligations.
• Contribute to compliance, policy and continuous improvement initiatives across the People & Culture function.

Skills

ER expertise

Investigations

Australian law

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Manufacturing exposure

Communication skills

Commercial mindset

Capability development

Job description

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Lead - Employee Relations

Date: 24 Sept 2026

Location: Brisbane, QLD, AU, 4030

Company: Orica

About Orica

About the role

We're pleased to be recruiting aLead - Employee Relations to join our Australia Pacific People & Culture team, based on the East Coast. Preferred locations for the role are Brisbane, Newcastle or Melbourne, on a hybrid work from office, work from home arrangement.
As the region's dedicated Employee Relations specialist, you will partner with the business across a diverse operational and corporate workforce to provide expert advice on complex workplace matters, influence sound people decisions, and strengthen organisational capability.
As a trusted advisor, you will play a lead role in enhancing ER governance and compliance frameworks, supporting organisational change initiatives, and building leadership capability and confidence across the business. You will help shape consistent, fair and compliant people practices while driving positive employee outcomes and reducing organisational risk.
If you enjoy operating as a subject matter expert, influencing leaders, and solving complex workplace challenges, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact across a large and dynamic organisation while helping shape the future of Employee Relations at Orica.

What you will be doing

• Act as the Employee Relations subject matter expert across the Australia Pacific region, providing advice on complex and sensitive workplace matters;
• Lead workplace investigations, grievances, complaints and disciplinary processes;
• Partner with People & Culture and business leaders to deliver fair, practical and compliant employee outcomes;
• Support organisational change initiatives, consultation requirements and employment disputes;
• Develop tools to analyse workplace trends and insights, and recommend proactive solutions to reduce risk and improve people practices;
• Drive continuous improvement of ER governance, policies, frameworks and employment documentation;
• Build leader and People Advisory capability through coaching, training and practical support on employee relations and employment obligations;
• Contribute to compliance, policy and continuous improvement initiatives across the People & Culture function.

What you will bring

• Significant experience in Employee Relations, Workplace Relations, HR Business Partnering or related field;
• Demonstrated experience managing complex employee relations matters and workplace investigations;
• Strong knowledge of Australian employment legislation, Awards and Enterprise Agreements;
• Experience advising leaders on sensitive workplace issues and navigating complex stakeholder environments;
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify trends and translate insights into practical outcomes;
• Experience supporting manufacturing, mining, resources or other operational environments;
• Excellent stakeholder management, influencing and communication skills;
• Sound judgement, resilience and a pragmatic, commercially focused approach to workplace challenges;
• A passion for developing capability and creating positive workplace outcomes.

What we offer

As part of a truly global company, you will have the ability to grow and learn in a diverse, collaborative culture. We foster relationships and learning through connected global and local teams, promote flexible and diverse career paths and support the development of your knowledge and skills.
You will be paid a competitive salary, learn from talented individuals across multiple disciplines and be able to thrive in a safe workplace within a collaborative culture. Ignite your career at a place where your distinct potential can find its home.

We respect and value all

Orica promotes and fosters a culture of inclusion and Equal Opportunity Employment everywhere we operate. We treat our people and applicants with fairness, dignity, and respect, getting the best of everyone's contributions.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, nationality, age, military or veteran, marital or disability status.