Workplace Relations Manager | Strategic IR & Employee Relations

FourQuarters Recruitment; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working model

Job summary

FourQuarters Recruitment in Melbourne is seeking an experienced Workplace Relations Manager to shape strategy and provide expert IR/ER guidance across a large, unionised workforce. You will partner with operational leaders to navigate complex employee relations matters and lead key policy development initiatives.

The role offers significant exposure to senior stakeholders, opportunities to influence best-practice outcomes, and a hybrid working model.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing workplace and industrial relations in a unionised environment.
• Strong knowledge of the Fair Work Act and employment legislation.
• Experience handling investigations, disputes and complex case management.
• Confident engaging with senior stakeholders, operational leaders and union representatives.
• Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills.
• Tertiary qualifications in HR, Employment Relations, Law, Business or related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Providing expert workplace and industrial relations advice across a large operational workforce.
• Managing complex employee relations matters, investigations and disputes.
• Leading negotiations and stakeholder engagement with unions and external parties.
• Representing the organisation in Fair Work Commission and tribunal matters.
• Coaching and supporting leaders to build workplace relations capability.
• Contributing to the development of policies, processes and workplace relations frameworks.

Skills

Workplace & industrial relations

Union engagement

Stakeholder engagement

Investigations & case management

Communication & relationship-building

Strategic advisory

Education

HR/Employment Relations/Law/Business degree

Job description

Workplace Relations Manager | Strategic IR & Employee Relations

Join one of Melbourne's largest and most recognised organisations and play a pivotal role in shaping workplace relations across a complex, highly unionised workforce.
This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced Workplace Relations professional who enjoys operating at both a strategic and hands‑on level. Working within a high‑performing WR team, you’ll partner closely with operational leaders to navigate complex employee and industrial relations matters while influencing best‑practice workplace outcomes across the business.

You’ll be the trusted advisor on a broad range of workplace relations issues, including complex case management, dispute resolution, investigations, union engagement, policy development, and Fair Work Commission matters. This role offers genuine variety, exposure to senior stakeholders, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within an essential service organisation.

• Providing expert workplace and industrial relations advice across a large operational workforce
• Managing complex employee relations matters, investigations and disputes
• Leading negotiations and stakeholder engagement with unions and external parties
• Representing the organisation in Fair Work Commission and tribunal matters
• Coaching and supporting leaders to build workplace relations capability
• Contributing to the development of policies, processes and workplace relations frameworks

Join one of Melbourne's largest and most recognised organisations and play a pivotal role in shaping workplace relations across a complex, highly unionised workforce.
This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced Workplace Relations professional who enjoys operating at both a strategic and hands‑on level. Working within a high‑performing WR team, you’ll partner closely with operational leaders to navigate complex employee and industrial relations matters while influencing best‑practice workplace outcomes across the business.

You’ll be the trusted advisor on a broad range of workplace relations issues, including complex case management, dispute resolution, investigations, union engagement, policy development, and Fair Work Commission matters. This role offers genuine variety, exposure to senior stakeholders, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within an essential service organisation.

• Providing expert workplace and industrial relations advice across a large operational workforce
• Managing complex employee relations matters, investigations and disputes
• Leading negotiations and stakeholder engagement with unions and external parties
• Representing the organisation in Fair Work Commission and tribunal matters
• Coaching and supporting leaders to build workplace relations capability
• Contributing to the development of policies, processes and workplace relations frameworks

About you:

• Proven experience managing workplace and industrial relations matters within a unionised environment
• Strong knowledge of the Fair Work Act and employment legislation
• Experience handling investigations, disputes and complex case management
• Confident engaging with senior stakeholders, operational leaders and union representatives
• Excellent communication, influencing and relationship‑building skills
• Tertiary qualifications in Human Resources, Employment Relations, Law, Business or a related discipline

Why join?

• Work for a highly respected organisation that provides an essential service to the Victorian community
• Exposure to complex and challenging workplace relations matters
• Collaborative and supportive People & Culture team
• Opportunity to influence organisational outcomes and drive best‑practice employee relations
• Hybrid working model with a mix of office and operational site engagement

Additional information

• Warm, friendly & down to earth team
• Hybrid and flexible working
• Up to $200k inclusive of super