Senior Employee Relations Specialist

FedEx Australia; Sydney; On-site; AUD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

FedEx Australia is seeking a dedicated Senior Employee Relations Specialist to join our high performing Employee Relations team. This role supports ER/IR strategies, partnering with leadership and HR Business Partners to provide expert advisory on workplace issues and compliance.

You will mentor HR professionals, handle complex ER/IR matters, shape ER/IR processes and ensure alignment with regulatory requirements, fostering fairness, accountability, and engagement across the organisation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, IR, Law or related discipline.
• Significant experience in Employee Relations and Industrial Relations.
• Experience supporting enterprise bargaining and union negotiations.
• Experience in industrial dispute management and regulatory engagement.
• Coaching and mentoring HR professionals and advising senior leaders.
• Strong influencing, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to work autonomously on high risk matters.
• Strong stakeholder management with senior leaders.
• In-depth knowledge of Australian employment law and ER/IR practices.
• Alignment with FedEx Purple Promise.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert ER/IR advice to HR partners and senior leaders on complex workplace matters.
• Manage high risk and sensitive ER/IR cases with sound judgement.
• Interpret and advise on the Fair Work Act, Modern Awards, Enterprise Agreements, employment contracts, and industrial instruments.
• Support enterprise bargaining activities, including negotiations, variations, and agreement interpretation.
• Build and maintain constructive union relationships; manage industrial issues and disputes with internal and external stakeholders.
• Support the ER Advisor and Regional People Operations Manager in Fair Work Commission matters as required.
• Advise on ER/IR risk mitigation and compliance to support workforce change, restructures, and transformation initiatives.
• Lead ER/IR projects, policy development, continuous improvement initiatives, and the delivery of training to ensure ER/IR frameworks, policies, and practices remain compliant.
• Coach HR professionals and business leaders, contributing to a capable and high performing People & Culture function.
• Monitor employment law developments, regulatory changes, and market trends to ensure compliance and proactive advice.
• Use HR data and insights to identify trends and inform strategic ER/IR solutions.

Skills

Employee relations

Industrial relations

Negotiation

Coaching

Stakeholder management

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/IR/Law

Job description

FedEx is one of the world's largest express transportation companies and has consistently been selected as one of the top 10 World’s Most Admired Companies by "Fortune" magazine. Every day FedEx delivers for its customers with transportation and business solutions, serving more than 220 countries and territories around the globe. We can serve this global network due to our outstanding team of FedEx team members, who are tasked with making every FedEx experience outstanding.

The Role

We are seeking a dedicated Senior Employee Relations Specialist to join our high performing Employee Relations team. This role is pivotal in supporting the Employee & Industrial Relations function, and contributing to the effective management of ER/IR matters across the organisation. As a senior ER Specialist, you will play a crucial role in implementing ER/IR strategies, partnering with leadership and HR Business Partners, providing expert advisory on workplace issues and compliance.

In this role, you will assist the ER Advisor and Regional Manager People Operations in driving best practice, mentoring and coaching HR professionals, and handling complex ER/IR matters. You will be key in shaping ER/IR processes and ensuring they align with business goals and regulatory requirements, fostering a culture of fairness, accountability, and engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide expert ER/IR advice to HR Business Partners and senior leaders on complex workplace matters, including investigations, disciplinary action, grievances, and disputes.
• Manage high risk and sensitive ER/IR cases with sound judgement, ensuring fair, compliant, and timely outcomes.
• Interpret and advise on the Fair Work Act, Modern Awards, Enterprise Agreements, employment contracts, and industrial instruments, including independent contractor arrangements.
• Support enterprise bargaining activities, including negotiations, variations, and agreement interpretation with employees, contractors, and unions.
• Build and maintain constructive union relationships; manage industrial issues and disputes in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
• Support the ER Advisor and Regional People Operations Manager in Fair Work Commission matters as required, including unfair dismissal, general protections and dispute proceedings.
• Advise on ER/IR risk mitigation and compliance to support workforce change, restructures, and transformation initiatives.
• Lead ER/IR projects, policy development, continuous improvement initiatives, and the delivery of training to ensure ER/IR frameworks, policies, and practices remain compliant and aligned with legislative and industry best practice.
• Coach HR professionals and business leaders, contributing to a capable and high performing People & Culture function.
• Monitor employment law developments, regulatory changes, and market trends to ensure compliance and proactive advice.
• Use HR data and insights to identify trends and inform strategic ER/IR solutions.

Essential Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Law, or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
• Significant experience in Employee Relations, Industrial Relations, operating as a confident advisor on complex matters.
• Demonstrated experience supporting enterprise bargaining and union negotiations, ideally in complex, unionised, or regulated environments.
• Experience in industrial dispute management and engagement with regulatory bodies.
• Experience coaching and mentoring HR professionals and advising senior leaders.
• Sound influencing, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including preparation of submissions, briefings, and formal correspondence.
• Ability to work autonomously on high risk, sensitive matters, exercising sound judgement and discretion.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, including credibility with senior and executive leaders.
• Ability to balance legal compliance, employee experience, and commercial outcomes.
• In depth knowledge of Australian employment law, workplace relations frameworks, and ER/IR best practice.
• Alignment with FedEx Purple Promise: "I will make every FedEx experience outstanding."