Senior Industrial Relations Advisor

Acciona S.A; Mudgee; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

ACCIONA seeks a Senior Industrial Relations Advisor to join the on-site team at Mudgee, NSW, supporting a major infrastructure project. This hands-on role focuses on union engagement, right of entry and maintaining positive workplace relationships on a heavily unionised site.

You will work with project leadership, site management and HR to identify and manage industrial risks, ensuring compliance with the Fair Work Act and enterprise agreements while advising leaders and supervisors on IR

Qualifications

• Extensive experience as IR Advisor on major construction or infrastructure projects.
• Proven ability to manage union engagement and right of entry.
• Strong knowledge of the Fair Work Act, Enterprise Agreements and union rights of entry.
• Excellent negotiation, communication and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Act as primary on-site IR liaison with union representatives.
• Coordinate and manage union right of entry requests on site.
• Provide practical IR guidance to project leadership and site management.
• Identify emerging industrial risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Support resolution of disputes, grievances and workplace issues.

Skills

Industrial relations

Union engagement

Right of entry handling

Fair Work Act knowledge

Enterprise Agreements

Negotiation skills

Stakeholder management

Job description

ACCIONA is a global company, leading in the development of regenerative infrastructure that creates a positive impact on society. Our workforce consists of more than 65,000 professionals, present in more than 40 countries across the five continents, all contributing in our mission to design a better planet. Are you a passionate individual who wants to make a difference, promote sustainable development, and find solutions to the biggest global challenges including climate change, overpopulation, and water scarcity? Come and join us in building the infrastructure our planet needs to achieve a sustainable future.

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Senior Industrial Relations Advisor to join our team in Mudgee, NSW, supporting the delivery of a major infrastructure project. This is a hands-on, site-based role responsible for managing day-to-day industrial relations matters, with a particular focus on union engagement, right of entry and maintaining positive and productive workplace relationships. As the primary point of contact for union representatives on site, you will work closely with project leadership, site management and HR teams to proactively identify and manage industrial risks, ensuring matters are handled consistently and in accordance with relevant legislation and industrial instruments.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the primary point of contact for union representatives, managing day-to-day union engagement and activity across site.
• Coordinate and manage union right of entry requests, ensuring compliance with legislative requirements and site protocols.
• Provide practical industrial relations advice and guidance to project leadership, supervisors and site management.
• Proactively identify emerging industrial risks, develop mitigation strategies and manage issues before they elevate.
• Manage and support the resolution of industrial disputes, grievances and workplace issues.
• Monitor compliance with applicable Enterprise Agreements, the Fair Work Act and relevant industrial legislation.
• Support the management of industrial relations matters involving subcontractors and their workforce.
• Maintain accurate records of union interactions, right of entry notices and industrial matters.
• Work closely with the broader HR/IR team to ensure a consistent approach to industrial relations across the project.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Demonstrated experience in an Industrial Relations Advisor or Senior IR Advisor role, ideally within major construction or infrastructure projects.
• Proven experience managing union engagement, right of entry, industrial disputes and workplace matters within a heavily unionised construction environment.
• Strong working knowledge of the Fair Work Act, Enterprise Agreements and union right of entry provisions.
• The confidence to engage directly with union officials and senior project stakeholders, including managing challenging industrial situations.
• Strong negotiation, communication and problem-solving skills.
• A practical, solutions-focused approach with the ability to manage sensitive and complex industrial matters.
• The ability to work autonomously and respond effectively to changing site requirements.

Location & Working Arrangements

This position is based on site in the Mudgee region of NSW, with a strong preference for candidates who are locally based or willing to relocate. A 10:4 roster may be considered for suitably experienced candidates.

ACCIONA has been given the Top Employer 2022, 2023, 2024 & 2025 certification in Australia, which certifies the company's commitment to excellence in human resources management and those who focus on putting their people first through their exceptional HR policies. Since establishing a presence in Australia in 2002, ACCIONA has made significant investments in local opportunities and project development. ACCIONA employs more than 3,000 people in its renewable energy, infrastructure and water projects across Australia & New Zealand.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and promote equality and diversity. Indigenous Australians and candidates from minority groups are encouraged to apply.