National Industrial Relations Manager

McConnell Dowell; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Modern workspace designed for collaboration

Career development opportunities

Diversity and inclusion culture

Job summary

A leading construction company is seeking a highly experienced National IR Manager to drive workplace relations strategy across their Australian operations. This pivotal leadership role involves partnering with senior executives, guiding complex negotiations, and ensuring successful project delivery. Ideal candidates will have deep expertise in Australian employment law, proven success in enterprise bargaining, and strong influencing skills. The position is based in their Richmond office, offering a collaborative workspace and significant national impact.

Qualifications

• Deep expertise in Australian employment legislation, awards, and enterprise agreements.
• Proven success leading enterprise bargaining and union negotiations.
• Strong experience managing disputes, industrial action, and tribunal matters.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute national workplace relations strategy aligned to business objectives.
• Provide expert, commercially focused IR/ER advice to senior leaders and project teams.
• Manage enterprise bargaining and negotiations to achieve favourable outcomes.
• Oversee industrial risk, disputes, and sensitive investigations.
• Represent the business in tribunals and external legal partnerships.

Skills

Expertise in Australian employment legislation

Enterprise bargaining and negotiation

Managing disputes and tribunal matters

Influencing skills

Proactive solutions-focused approach

Job description

We’re seeking a highly experienced Industrial Relations specialist to join us as our National IR Manager to lead workplace relations strategy across our Australian operations. This is a pivotal leadership role where you’ll partner with senior executives, guide complex negotiations, and play a critical part in winning and delivering major projects on time and on budget.

Based in our premium Richmond office directly above Burnley train station, you’ll enjoy exceptional accessibility along with a modern, well-appointed workspace designed for collaboration and high performance.

Why this role stands out

• National impact - influence strategy and outcomes across major projects
• Executive exposure - work closely with senior leadership and decision-makers
• Prime location - Richmond office, directly above the train station
• High-performing culture - collaborate with smart, driven professionals
• Career-defining role - lead IR at McConnell Dowell, where scale meets genuinely complex, high‑stakes project delivery

The Opportunity

You will be the trusted authority on industrial relations, driving strategy while remaining hands‑on in complex and high‑impact matters.

You will:

• Lead and execute national workplace relations strategy aligned to business objectives
• Provide expert, commercially focused IR/ER advice to senior leaders and project teams
• Manage enterprise bargaining and negotiations to achieve favourable outcomes
• Oversee industrial risk, disputes, and sensitive investigations
• Represent the business in tribunals and external legal partnerships
• Support tenders and project mobilisation with robust IR strategies
• Build strong relationships with unions, regulators, and key external stakeholders

What You Bring

You are a confident and credible IR leader who thrives in complex, fast‑paced environments.

• Deep expertise in Australian employment legislation, awards, and enterprise agreements
• Proven success leading enterprise bargaining and union negotiations
• Strong experience managing disputes, industrial action, and tribunal matters
• Commercial mindset with the ability to balance risk and project outcomes
• Exceptional influencing skills, able to engage and guide senior stakeholders
• A proactive, solutions‑focused approach with sound judgement under pressure
• Experience and network within the construction industry is preferred
• Melbourne home base is preferred but applicants from other cities may be considered.

About Us

McConnell Dowell - Creative Construction. Our purpose is Providing a Better Life. We do that through delivering projects that connect, support and sustain communities, and through providing career opportunities that challenge, reward and grow our people.

From remote major resources and energy projects to city‑shaping transport and water infrastructure, we have constructed thousands of high‑quality, complex projects for our customers and communities over more than 60 years, in Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia.

Why join us?

The work you’ll do will have a tangible positive impact on people’s lives, including yours. The diversity of our projects, roles and locations means greater development opportunities. We invest in our people to set and reach personal and professional goals and we have some of the best mentoring minds in the business to help you do that. Because when you grow, we all grow.

McConnell Dowell actively seeks and celebrates diversity, inclusion, and individuality. In a culture low on ego and high on support, we encourage everyone to make an impact. We’re big enough to take on community‑shaping projects, but agile enough for you to have an influence on how we do things.

So, join us, be you, and help us create better together

Apply now!

We are an equal opportunity employer. People of all ages, abilities, sexual orientation, gender identities & cultures including Aboriginal, and Torres Strait Islanders are strongly encouraged to apply. Please note all successful applicants must hold valid work rights for Australia. This role is being sourced through McConnell Dowell directly and not accepting applications via external recruitment agencies.