Senior Industrial Relations Partner

Australia Post; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible/hybrid working

Growth & development programs

Exclusive team member discounts

Health & wellbeing resources

Job summary

Australia Post is seeking a Senior Industrial Relations Partner to shape workforce outcomes across the organisation. You will work closely with senior leaders, unions and key stakeholders to provide expert advice on complex industrial matters and support major organisational change.

In this role you will lead enterprise bargaining, monitor legislation, build strong stakeholder relationships and balance commercial and regulatory requirements to deliver practical, risk-aware solutions.

Qualifications

• Significant senior experience in Industrial Relations within a large, unionised organisation.
• Strong knowledge of the Fair Work Act, modern awards and enterprise agreements.
• Experience advising senior leaders on complex industrial matters and change initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert IR advice on union engagement, consultation obligations, right of entry and workforce change initiatives.
• Lead complex industrial matters, including enterprise bargaining, contractor bargaining and FWC proceedings.
• Partner with senior leaders to navigate organisational change while balancing commercial and regulatory needs.
• Monitor emerging IR legislation and provide practical recommendations to minimise risk.
• Build relationships with unions, employee representatives, contractors and internal stakeholders to drive constructive engagement.

Skills

Senior IR experience

Fair Work Act knowledge

Enterprise bargaining

Stakeholder management

Executive advisory

Education

Law / Industrial Relations / HR degree

Job description

Being in a business support role at Australia Post means helping our people deliver for every Australian. Just like our Posties, you’re still the people behind every parcel. Whatever your team or role, you’re helping grow our people, grow our business and making a lasting impact on the Australian community. You’ll find a culture of connection in our great people and the flexibility to balance work with life outside of it.

About the opportunity

Join our Industrial Relations team in a critical role in shaping workforce outcomes across Australia Post. As a Senior Industrial Relations Partner, you'll work closely with senior leaders, unions and key stakeholders to provide expert advice on complex industrial matters, influence business decisions and support major organisational change in one of Australia's largest and most dynamic organisations.

You’ll also

• Provide expert industrial relations advice on union engagement, consultation obligations, right of entry, dispute resolution and workforce change initiatives.
• Lead and support complex industrial matters, including enterprise bargaining, contractor bargaining, Fair Work Commission proceedings and union disputes.
• Partner with senior leaders to navigate organisational change, balancing commercial outcomes with industrial and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor and interpret emerging industrial relations legislation and regulatory developments, providing practical recommendations to minimise risk and support business objectives.
• Build strong relationships with unions, employee representatives, contractors and internal stakeholders to drive constructive engagement and positive industrial outcomes.

About you

You’re a commercially minded and trusted advisor who thrives in complex, fast-paced environments. With a collaborative approach and strong judgement, you're skilled at building credible relationships, navigating sensitive conversations and influencing outcomes across a diverse stakeholder group. You enjoy solving complex workplace challenges and balancing people, operational and commercial considerations to deliver practical solutions.

You’ll also have

• Significant senior experience in Industrial Relations or Workplace Relations within a large, complex and highly unionised organization.
• Strong working knowledge of the Fair Work Act, enterprise agreements, modern awards, industrial disputes, consultation obligations, right of entry and enterprise bargaining.
• Demonstrated experience advising senior leaders on complex industrial matters, organisational change initiatives and workforce transformation programs.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage effectively with unions, employee representatives, Legal, People & Culture and operational leaders.
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, including the preparation of executive advice, tribunal submissions, bargaining materials and industrial correspondence.
• Tertiary qualifications in Law, Industrial Relations, Human Resources or a related discipline (or equivalent practical experience).
• Experience within transport, logistics, large operational workforces or other contractor-intensive and unionised environments will be highly regarded

What else is in it for you?

• Bring your whole self to work every day and be met by a welcoming bunch of people who respect and support you
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements, like the opportunity to work from home two days per week
• Opportunities for growth and development through formal programs or mentorship
• Exclusive team member discounts and offers for more cash in your pocket, evolving policies for flexible working, leave types and access to health and wellbeing resources

All walks, one route

It takes a lot of us to deliver for every Australian – and it’s important to us that our people behind the parcels reflect the people receiving them. We come from all walks. Different backgrounds, different ages, different genders, different sexualities and different abilities, but we all believe in the same purpose.

We welcome people all ages, genders and backgrounds – including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, LGBTQIA+ communities, and refugees. We’re a Disability Confident Recruiter, committed to making our hiring process and workplace inclusive and barrier-free. We’re also working hard to remove bias and build a gender-equitable experience for everyone who joins us. If you’ve got questions about accessibility, reach out to our Diversity & Inclusion team at ***************@auspost.com.au or on 03 8737 9***.