Senior Advisor - Workplace Relations

Tandem Partners; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Tandem Partners is seeking a Senior Workplace Relations Advisor to support a large multi-site organisation across Australia. You will provide high-quality ER advice, manage investigations and navigate enterprise agreements with commercial acumen.

In this hands-on role you will partner with leaders and People teams, influence policies, and build capability across the function while ensuring compliance with the Fair Work Act and modern awards.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in large, multi-site environments.
• Strong knowledge of the Fair Work Act and modern awards.
• Experience in unionised environments and enterprise bargaining advantageous.
• Proven ability to manage complex investigations and employee relations matters.
• Ability to advise leaders and build capability across People teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage complex employee and workplace relations matters end-to-end.
• Provide pragmatic advice on the Fair Work Act, NES, modern awards and instruments.
• Partner with leaders to assess workplace relations risk and develop practical solutions.
• Prepare submissions and represent the organisation before the Fair Work Commission and tribunals.
• Coach leaders to handle issues effectively and consistently.
• Draft and enhance workplace relations policies, procedures and documentation.
• Identify emerging and systemic issues and recommend process improvements.
• Interpret enterprise agreements and contribute to broader industrial relations activity.

Skills

Workplace relations

Fair Work Act knowledge

Industrial law

Multi-site experience

Investigations management

Union engagement

Enterprise bargaining

Stakeholder management

Risk assessment

Communication skills

Job description

Full job description

Opportunity to join a large, complex and evolving organisation with a significant multi-site footprint across Australia. Experiencing a period of growth and organisational change, the business is continuing to mature the way its People function delivers specialist support and capability to its leaders.

A dedicated workplace relations function has recently been established. Working closely with the National Workplace Relations Lead, the Senior Workplace Relations Advisor will play an important role in both delivering high-quality workplace relations support and helping shape how the function operates into the future.

This is a hands-on role encompassing the full spectrum of workplace relations, including complex case management, investigations, performance and conduct matters, fitness for work, industrial instrument interpretation, union engagement and Fair Work Commission matters. The position will provide practical workplace relations advice to leaders and People teams, balancing legislative requirements, commercial and operational considerations, risk and employee outcomes.

You will also have the opportunity to influence workplace relations frameworks, policies and processes and build greater capability amongst leaders and the broader People function.

Key responsibilities

• Manage complex employee and workplace relations matters end-to-end, including misconduct, performance management, grievances, workplace investigations, disciplinary processes and fitness for work matters.
• Provide pragmatic and technically sound advice on the Fair Work Act, National Employment Standards, modern awards, enterprise agreements, employment contracts and other relevant employment legislation.
• Partner with leaders to assess workplace relations risk and develop practical, lawful and human-centred solutions.
• Prepare submissions and represent the organisation in matters before the Fair Work Commission and other relevant tribunals.
• Coach and guide leaders through workplace relations matters, building their confidence and capability to manage issues effectively and consistently.
• Draft, review and enhance workplace relations policies, procedures, guidance materials and employment documentation.
• Identify emerging and systemic workplace relations issues and recommend improvements to processes and ways of working.
• Interpret enterprise agreements and industrial instruments and contribute to broader industrial relations activity, including union engagement and industrial disputes.

About you

• Previous experience operating within a large, complex and multi-site environment.
• Strong knowledge of the Fair Work Act, National Employment Standards, modern awards, enterprise agreements and Australian employment legislation.
• Experience operating across multiple Australian jurisdictions and providing workplace relations support at scale.
• Demonstrated experience independently managing complex investigations, performance, conduct and broader employee relations matters.
• Experience preparing submissions and responding to matters before the Fair Work Commission, including conciliation.
• Exposure to unionised environments and industrial instruments, with experience supporting enterprise bargaining or broader industrial relations activity advantageous.
• Experience within healthcare, critical services or other complex and highly regulated operating environments will be highly regarded.
• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to establish credibility with stakeholders ranging from frontline leaders through to executives.
• A pragmatic and commercial approach, with the judgement to assess risk.
• A collaborative and human-centred style, with the resilience to navigate challenging conversations and competing stakeholder perspectives.
• The confidence to work autonomously in a fast-paced environment while remaining curious, adaptable and open to new ways of working.
• Strong written communication, negotiation, conflict resolution and analytical skills.