Lead Industrial Officer SA

Colonial Group; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 118,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary package

6 weeks annual leave

16% superannuation

Flexible work arrangements

Practicing certificates

Supportive leadership

Diverse workplace

Job summary

United Workers Union is seeking a Lead Industrial Officer to provide strategic leadership of our national industrial function from Adelaide or Brisbane. You will deliver high‑quality industrial advice and representation to UWU members, strengthening worker power and advancing union objectives.

You will lead a team, mentor staff, manage caseloads and advocate before employers and tribunals, while promoting equity and inclusion across the organisation.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership of industrial or legal teams.
• Extensive advocacy experience before tribunals and statutory bodies.
• Strong written and oral advocacy and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Industrial Officers to resolve individual and collective issues while growing union membership.
• Ensure the team retains members, recruits new members and increases participation.
• Manage caseloads with industrial advice, advocacy before tribunals, and enforcement of entitlements.
• Supervise, manage and allocate workload within the team with the National Coordinator.
• Train, mentor and develop industrial knowledge and standards within the team.
• Provide high‑quality industrial advice and representation for UWU members.
• Promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of work.

Skills

Team leadership

Advocacy

Stakeholder engagement

Case management

Communication

Strategic leadership

Education

Bachelor of Law

Practicing certificate

Job description

LEAD INDUSTRIAL OFFICER

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.

WHo we’re looking for

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:

• Practicing certificate
• 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.
• Flexible work arrangements.
• The payment of practicing certificates
• Supportive leadership committed to developing people.
• A diverse, inclusive and values driven workplace.
• 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.

CLOSING DATE

Applications close 4pm (AEST) on 22 October 2026. Please note we may conduct interviews before the closing date, so get your applications in early.

For further information about the role, please email [e-mail].