Lead Industrial Officer - SA

United Workers; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 117,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

UWU Employment Agreement 2025

Salary range AU$117,819–AU$132,375 per

16% superannuation

6 weeks annual leave

Leave loading 25%

Practicing certificates

Leadership development

Meaningful difference to workers’ live

Job summary

United Workers Union in Australia is seeking a Lead Industrial Officer to provide strategic leadership to its national industrial function, delivering high-quality advice and representation to UWU members.

Based in Adelaide or Brisbane, this full-time role leads a team of Industrial Officers, manages cases before tribunals, mentors staff and champions equity, diversity and inclusion while growing union membership.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in improving and enforcing member rights under industrial instruments.
• Extensive knowledge of the Australian industrial relations environment.
• Experience advocating through the Fair Work Commission, Courts and Tribunals.
• Ability to manage and develop a team.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Industrial Officers to resolve issues and grow membership.
• Retain and recruit members and increase participation.
• Caseload management: provide industrial advice and advocacy before tribunals.
• Supervise workload with National Coordinator and Deputy Director.
• Mentor and develop the team’s industrial knowledge.
• Uphold the union’s values of equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Provide high-quality industrial advice and representation.

Skills

Leadership

Advocacy

Industrial relations

Team management

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Case management

Legal analysis

Education

Bachelor of Law

Job description

UNITED WORKERS’ UNION - a new chapter. a renewed focus. join us

United Workers Union is entering an exciting new chapter.

With new leadership comes renewed purpose, fresh energy and a clear ambition: to build the strongest organising union in Australia that wins for workers.

We are looking for a passionate, driven and experienced advocate for the role of Lead Industrial Officer who wants to be part of one of Australia’s largest and most influential unions. These roles are based in Adelaide and Brisbane on a full-time, ongoing basis.

about union workers’ union

We believe unions are strongest when members lead.

That’s why, United Workers Union is one of Australia’s largest and fastest-growing member-led unions, representing workers across a diverse range of industries that keep our communities running every day. Our members work in aged care; early education; hospitality; logistics; manufacturing; health; cleaning; disability support; warehousing; food production and many other sectors.

Every day we organise to improve the lives of working people and create lasting change.

We do this by pulling every lever to build worker power – growing membership, developing workplace leaders, supporting delegates, organising collective action and campaigning for better wages, safer workplaces, and fairer communities, including campaigning both politically and in the community. The United Workers Union is proudly affiliated with the Australian Labor Party.

As we move into our next chapter, we are investing in growing our organising capability, developing our people and strengthening member-led campaigns across the country.

the opportunity

As the Lead Industrial Officer, you will provide strategic leadership to UWU’s national industrial function, ensuring the delivery of high-quality industrial advice and representation that advance the rights of UWU members, strengthen worker power and advance the Union’s objectives.

Your main responsibilities will be to:

• Lead a team of Industrial Officers to resolve individual and collective issues effectively and in the process build union membership;
• Ensure the work of the team assists to retain union members, encourage new members to join, and increase member participation in their union;
• Manage a caseload which includes resolving workplace issues by providing industrial advice to members and advocacy with employers and before industrial tribunals to ensure that members’ entitlements are being enforced;
• Work with the National Coordinator and Deputy Director to supervise, manage and allocate workload within the team;
• Train, mentor and develop the industrial knowledge and standards within the team;
• Other duties associated with ensuring a high standard is maintained to provide assistance to Union members;
• Promote and uphold the Union’s values of equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of your work.

We are looking for people who are passionate about and committed to improving the lives of the members we represent.

You are someone who:

• Has a genuine commitment to the values and purpose of UWU, including its political and social justice agenda.
• Has significant experience in improving, maintaining and enforcing member’s rights and entitlements under legislation, industrial instruments and the common law.
• Has extensive knowledge and understanding of the Australian industrial relations environment and is committed to maintaining and sharing that knowledge.
• Has significant experience in advocacy through the Fair Work Commission, relevant Courts and Tribunals.
• Can manage and develop a team.
• Communicates confidently, both in writing and advocacy.
• Has skills and experience in case management and prioritisation.
• Enjoys working both independently and as part of a team in fast-paced and changing environments.
• Has the ability to enhance systems and drive efficiencies.
• Can engage effectively with stakeholders.

To perform this job, you will also be required to have or obtain and maintain:

• A valid driver’s licence; and
• Right of Entry Permits.

Other desirable but not essential criteria include:

• Bachelor of Law
• Experience in the union or social justice movement or representing Union members.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in Australia and will be required to provide evidence of their work rights as part of the recruitment process.

what we offer

• Competitive salary and generous employment conditions; terms and conditions in accordance with the United Workers Union Employment Agreement 2025, see https://tinyurl.com/UWUEA2025 .
• Salary: UWU Level 8 to Level 10 ($117,819 – $132,375 per annum)
• 16% superannuation.
• 6 weeks annual leave plus 25% leave loading.
• The payment of practicing certificates
• Supportive leadership committed to developing people.
• The opportunity to make a genuine difference in workers’ lives.

diversity and inclusion

Our members come from every background imaginable, and we want our workforce to reflect that diversity.

We welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disability, LGBTQIA+ people and anyone who shares our commitment to fairness, inclusion and worker justice.

join the next chapter

If you want to be part of a Union entering an exciting new era and are looking for meaningful work, ambitious colleagues and the opportunity to make a genuine difference to the lives of working people, we would love to hear from you.

Together, we’ll build stronger workplaces, stronger communities and a stronger union.

Applications close: 5:30 AM GMT, 22nd Oct 2026