Workplace Relations Specialist (ER/IR & Wage Compliance)

Cochlear; Sydney; On-site; AUD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Cochlear in Sydney, Australia, is seeking an experienced Workplace Relations Specialist to join the Global People & Culture Service & Experience team. You will provide expert advice on Modern Awards, Enterprise Agreements, and employment legislation, leading wage compliance initiatives and strengthening governance across Cochlear's Australian operations.

You will partner with leaders to identify compliance risks, support IR reform, and drive proactive ER/IR projects while building robust

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of Australian employment legislation, Modern Awards and employment relations frameworks.
• Experience in wage compliance, award interpretation and workplace governance.
• Ability to manage complex workplace investigations and sensitive employee relations matters.
• Experience partnering with unions, employee representatives and workplace delegates.
• Sound judgement and strong problem-solving skills with confident influencing.
• Experience in a contemporary People & Culture function.

Responsibilities

• Champion best practice ER/IR initiatives across Cochlear's Australian operations.
• Interpret and advise on Modern Awards, Enterprise Agreements and applicable State & Federal legislation.
• Support wage and entitlement projects such as providing Award interpretation and analysing data to ensure compliance with industrial instruments.
• Conduct wage analyses including examining timesheet data, penalty rates, allowances, and other Award entitlements.
• Prepare compliance risk assessments through data examination within compliance frameworks and methodologies.
• Review and suggest process and system improvements to ensure ongoing compliance, including record keeping, wage reviews and salary reconciliation, employment contracts, time and attendance rules, and visa management.
• Support the implementation of amendments in IR reform.
• Take leadership of proactive ER/IR projects
• Support complex case management
• Develop robust relationships with key internal stakeholders

Skills

Australian employment law

Modern Awards

Wage compliance

Workplace governance

Workplace investigations

Unions collaboration

Job description

Cochlear in Sydney, Australia, is seeking an experienced Workplace Relations Specialist to join the Global People & Culture Service & Experience team. You will provide expert advice on Modern Awards, Enterprise Agreements, and employment legislation, leading wage compliance initiatives and strengthening governance across Cochlear's Australian operations.

You will partner with leaders to identify compliance risks, support IR reform, and drive proactive ER/IR projects while building robust