Senior Employee Relations Specialist

Adelaide University; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 116,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Adelaide University is seeking a Senior Employee Relations Specialist to join the People & Culture division on a 2-year fixed-term, full-time basis. Based in City West Campus, the role focuses on complex workforce matters, driving governance improvements and fair outcomes for staff.

The position reports to the Project Lead, Discovery and Remediation, and supervises up to six staff. You will apply expert employee and industrial relations knowledge to influence enterprise-wide decisions,

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification (or progress towards) with relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Providing expert employee relations or industrial relations consultancy in a large and complex organisation.
• Managing complex cases, including negotiations, conciliation, dispute resolution, and workplace investigations.

Responsibilities

• Apply employee and industrial relations expertise to complex workforce matters and influence enterprise-wide decisions.
• Collaborate with Employee Relations, People and Culture, Payroll and other stakeholders to drive governance and compliance improvements.
• Identify sustainable solutions and drive meaningful organisational change in the area of workforce compliance.
• Support and guide up to 6 direct reports with professional development and coaching.
• Prepare high-level documentation, reports, and correspondence for diverse audiences.

Skills

Employee relations

Industrial relations

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Policy guidance

Education

Postgraduate qualification

Progress towards related degree

Job description

• Based in Employee Relations in People & Culture at the City West Campus
• Full-time 2 year fixed term contract
• Salary Range: $116,320 - $130,498 per annum (plus 17% superannuation)

At Adelaide University, we create the opportunities you need to achieve your ambitions – because when you thrive, we thrive.

We are transforming education for contemporary learners and global citizens. Building on a proud legacy and shaped by bold ambition, it’s a place of excellence and equity, where our vibrant community of staff are united by our purpose to inspire Australia’s future change-makers and create a better tomorrow.

Work that matters

As the Senior Employee Relations Specialist, you will play a pivotal role in one of Adelaide University's most significant people and compliance initiatives. Reporting to the Project Lead, Discovery and Remediation, you will apply your employee and industrial relations expertise to complex workforce matters, influencing enterprise-wide decisions that strengthen compliance, enhance governance and deliver fair outcomes for employees.

Working closely with Employee Relations, People and Culture, Payroll and key stakeholders across the University, you will contribute to meaningful organisational change by identifying sustainable solutions, improving employment practices and helping shape the future of workforce compliance. This is a unique opportunity to move beyond traditional ER case management and make a lasting impact on employee experience, organisational trust and governance excellence.

Curious to learn more? Explore the full role description below to discover more about this opportunity.

The team

This role forms part of the Discovery and Remediation Stream within the Pay Accuracy and Entitlements Program and is aligned to the People and Culture Portfolio within the University.

This role will provide role guidance, professional development, direction and coaching for up to 6 direct reports.

Visit the AU website to learn more about People & Culture.

Our people

Our people are guided by purpose, curiosity and a commitment to lifelong learning. We embrace authenticity, innovation and collaboration, and harness diverse thinking in our pursuit of excellence.

If you thrive in complex environments, enjoy influencing outcomes and are motivated by meaningful work, this role offers the chance to make a lasting difference. You will join a collaborative team of specialists dedicated to strengthening workplace compliance, enhancing employee trust and delivering positive change across one of Australia's newest universities.

Learn more about our people, what we stand for and what we offer at Careers at AU.

Experience

To join our community and thrive in this role, you will likely have the following skills and experience:

• Postgraduate qualification (or progress towards) with relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience
• Providing expert employee relations or industrial relations consultancy in a large and complex organisation
• Managing complex cases, including negotiations, conciliation, dispute resolution, and workplace investigations
• Influencing and partnering with senior leaders and external stakeholders
• Preparing high-level documentation, reports, and correspondence for diverse audiences
• Interpreting and applying employment laws, regulations, and industrial instruments
• Advocating before industrial tribunals is desirable

Our commitment to inclusion and diversity

We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion where diversity is celebrated and everyone feels respected and valued. Adelaide University is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and equitable workplace where everyone can thrive. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, and people of all ages, genders, cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities. We are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements and providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

Submit your application by 11:30pm Sunday 30 August 2026

For further information about this opportunity, please contact (quoting reference number 493348):

[phone] | [e-mail]

Applications welcomed from Australian or NZ citizens, Australian permanent residents and those who have the legal right to work in Australia for the term of appointment.