Senior Advisor Industrial Relations

NSW Department of Customer Service; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 133,000 - 147,000; Full time

Job summary

NSW Department of Customer Service in Sydney is seeking a Senior Advisor, Industrial Relations to provide expert advice and lead advocacy on complex employment matters across the organisation. Location options Parramatta, Gosford or Haymarket with hybrid arrangements; temporary up to 18 months; salary 133,348 to 146,945 plus super.

You will represent the department in industrial proceedings, negotiate with unions, and support strategic workforce projects.

Qualifications

• Strong advocacy and briefing skills for tribunal proceedings.
• Experience negotiating with unions and employee representatives.
• Extensive knowledge of industrial/employment law and awards.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead industrial advocacy and represent the Department in proceedings before the NSW Industrial Relations Commission and employment jurisdictions.
• Prepare and coordinate submissions, evidence, correspondence, briefing materials and legal instructions.
• Provide advice on awards, enterprise agreements, industrial legislation, employment conditions and workforce management matters.
• Negotiate with unions and employee representatives.
• Manage industrial disputes and consultations, balancing organisational requirements with employee and stakeholder needs.
• Provide strategic industrial relations advice on organisational change and other people initiatives.

Skills

Advocacy

Issue management

Industrial relations law

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Relations or Law

Job description

NSW Department of Customer Service – Sydney CBD NSW

Clerk Grade: 09/10
Employment Type: Temporary role up to 18 months with possibility of extension, Full-time 35 hours per week and creation of Talent PoolLocation: Parramatta, Gosford or Haymarket. Hybrid working arrangements including office attendance and travel required between these locationsSalary Range: $133,348 - 146,945 + super
Industrial Relations Practice, People & Culture

Shape workforce outcomes. Lead industrial advocacy. Influence decisions that matter.

Are you an experienced industrial relations professional with strong advocacy, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills?

We're looking for a highly capable Senior Advisor, Industrial Relations, to join our Industrial Relations Practice, People & Culture, Department of Customer Service. In this influential role, you'll provide expert industrial relations advice and lead advocacy on complex employment matters, helping deliver fair, compliant and practical workforce outcomes across the organisation.

You will represent the Department's interests in industrial proceedings, support organisational change initiatives, negotiate with employee representatives and unions, and contribute to strategic workforce projects that impact thousands of employees.

Your day to day

As a Senior Advisor, Industrial Relations, you will:

• Lead industrial advocacy and represent the Department in proceedings before the NSW Industrial Relations Commission and employment jurisdictions.
• Prepare and coordinate submissions, evidence, correspondence, briefing materials and legal instructions.
• Provide advice on awards, enterprise agreements, industrial legislation, employment conditions and workforce management matters.
• Negotiate with unions and employee representatives.
• Manage industrial disputes and consultations, balancing organisational requirements with employee and stakeholder needs.
• Provide strategic industrial relations advice on organisational change and other people initiatives.
• Work closely with senior leaders, legal representatives, unions and other stakeholders.
• Monitor emerging industrial relations trends, legislative reforms and case law developments to inform organisational decision-making.

About you

To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate:

• Strong advocacy skills, with demonstrated experience preparing submissions, evidence, correspondence and briefing materials, and representing organisations in proceedings before industrial tribunals.
• The ability to successfully manage industrial issues, including consultation and dispute resolution, to deliver positive and practical outcomes for your business clients.
• Extensive knowledge of industrial and employment law, industrial relations legislation, awards, enterprise agreements and other industrial instruments, with the ability to apply this knowledge to manage risk and achieve practical workplace outcomes.
• Exceptional communication, stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships and work effectively with senior executives, managers, employees, union representatives and external stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with experience interpreting complex industrial issues, implementing industrial relations frameworks, identifying emerging risks and delivering continuous improvement initiatives that support organisational objectives.
• A relevant degree or equivalent experience in Industrial Relations, Law majoring in Industrial and/or Employment Law, or a related field.

This is an opportunity to play a central role in shaping workforce outcomes across a large and complex organisation. You'll work on high-profile industrial matters, gain exposure to strategic workforce initiatives, and be part of a professional team that values expertise, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Salary Grade 09/10, with the base salary for this role starting at $133,348 base plus superannuation

A talent pool may be created as part of this recruitment process and will be valid for up to 18 months. The talent pool may be used to fill future ongoing or temporary vacancies of the same or similar role.

Closing Date

Friday, November 6th, 2026 at 11:59 pm.

Careers at Department of Customer Service

A career at the Department of Customer Service (DCS) gives you the opportunity to help improve government services and be part of reform that benefits people across NSW. We are focused on delivering excellent customer service, digital transformation, and regulatory reform. Come join us and influence the future of our great state.

Belong in our diverse and inclusive workplace

The strength of our workforce lies in its diversity and embracing difference, while the key to our success is leveraging the contributions of employees with different backgrounds and perspectives.

You can view our full diversity and inclusion statement here.

Information on some of the different types of disabilities

Information on adjustments available for the recruitment process