Workplace Relations Lead

Findex; Sydney; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Flexible schedule

Senior leadership access

Community fund

Job summary

Findex in Australia seeks a Workplace Relations Lead (ER and WHS) to drive proactive workforce risk management across 2,500 staff in AU/NZ. You will lead high-risk investigations, provide risk-based advice, oversee WHS and threat management, and guide M&A people due diligence.

Reporting to the Head of People, you will build a national Workplace Relations team, partner with executives, and advance policy, contract, and award compliance while offering flexible/hybrid working options.

Qualifications

• Substantial senior experience in employee relations or industrial relations with strong technical knowledge of Australian employment law.
• Demonstrated experience conducting and overseeing workplace investigations, and managing matters before the Fair Work Commission and/or NZ Employment Relations Authority.
• Track record of moving a function from reactive to proactive using data and trend analysis to prevent issues.
• Ability to balance legal/compliance requirements with commercial priorities and influence senior stakeholders.
• Experience leading a team and coaching others on complex matters.
• Desirable: working knowledge of NZ employment legislation, Australian WHS and psychosocial hazard management; M&A due diligence and integration; visa sponsorship frameworks or threat management.

Responsibilities

• Lead the highest-risk employee relations matters, including formal investigations, external claims, exits and settlements, and represent Findex in proceedings.
• Provide commercial, risk-based advice on employment and industrial relations law to People Partners, leaders and Executives.
• Move the function from reactive to proactive by analyzing trends across cases and engagement data and acting early with leaders.
• Provide WHS and psychosocial safety leadership, testing the framework and driving improvement, while overseeing threat management and workplace risk governance.
• Play a key role in M&A people due diligence and post-deal integration, keeping contracts, policies and awards current and defensible.
• Lead and coach the Workplace Relations team across AU/NZ, and manage relationships with external advisers, Legal, Risk, and Finance.

Job description

We are looking for a Workplace Relations Lead (ER and WHS) to join Findex on an initial 18-month max-term contract, flexible on location within Australia with a preference for Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane.

Reporting to the Head of People, you will be the senior technical authority on employee relations, work health and safety, threat management and immigration advice for around 2,500 people across Australia and New Zealand. If you want to shape how a growing national firm manages workforce risk, and move a function from reacting to matters to preventing them, this is your opportunity.

Your role, your contribution!

Lead the highest-risk employee relations matters, including formal investigations, external claims, exits and settlements, and represent Findex in Fair Work Commission and Employment Relations Authority proceedings.

Provide commercial, risk-assessed advice on employment and industrial relations law to People Partners, leaders and Executives, including sensitive matters involving senior people.

Move the function from reactive to proactive by analysing trends across cases, incidents, exits and engagement data, and acting early with leaders before matters escalation.

Provide WHS and psychosocial safety leadership, testing the effectiveness of the framework and driving improvement, while overseeing threat management and workplace risk governance.

Play a key role in M&A people due diligence, workforce change and post-deal integration, and keep Findex's contracts, policies and award compliance current and defensible.

Lead and coach the Workplace Relations team across Australia and New Zealand, and manage relationships with external employment and immigration advisers, Legal, Risk and Compliance, Payroll and Finance.

The benefits of joining us!

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Part-time arrangements (for example four days a week) are open to the right candidate.
• A high-impact, varied portfolio with direct access to senior leaders, the Executive and Legal.
• An inclusive, collaborative team culture and access to the firm's national network of professionals.
• Meaningful community impact through the Findex Community Fund.

What you will bring to the role:

• Substantial senior experience in employee relations or industrial relations, with strong technical knowledge of Australian employment law.
• Demonstrated experience conducting and overseeing workplace investigations, and managing matters before the Fair Work Commission and/or New Zealand employment institutions such as the Employment Relations Authority.
• A track record of moving a function from reactive to proactive, using data and trend analysis to prevent issues.
• The ability to balance legal and compliance requirements with commercial priorities, and to influence senior stakeholders.
• Experience leading a team and coaching others on complex matters.
• Highly regarded: working knowledge of New Zealand employment legislation, Australian WHS and psychosocial hazard management, and M&A people due diligence and integration. Desirable: exposure to Australian visa and sponsorship frameworks or threat management.

Our Impact: Why Findex?

At Findex, we help clients manage, grow, and protect their financial future with confidence. Since 1987, we've become a leading Australasian provider of integrated accounting, advisory, and wealth solutions, delivered through our "Wealth Accountant" and Family Office models. With 2,500 professionals across over 100 offices, we combine local expertise with global reach and remain committed to supporting clients and communities in creating long-term financial security.

For the Community

The Findex Community Fund (FCF) is dedicated to giving back to the communities we serve. Since 2018, we have donated over $4.3 million to more than 800 charities across Australia and New Zealand. Collectively, our team has dedicated over 9,000 volunteer hours, making a tangible impact in their communities through personal engagement.

For You

At Findex, we focus on developing our people first. With structured training and development opportunities, we allow our people to grow their career in a way that sets them up for success. We actively support our people by giving them extra support to external studies that is relevant to their role.

For our Customers

Together, Findex champion the success of over 75,000 Australasian businesses, helping them grow with expert advice, fresh thinking, and top-tier professional services. Here, you're empowered to work in a way that brings out your best - supporting your growth, your team, and the clients who trust us to make a real difference.

For Diversity & Inclusion

Findex is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and encourage applications from candidates with a variety of strengths, backgrounds and experiences.