Business Partner IR ER

Toi Ohomai; Tauranga; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology is seeking a senior People Business Partner – Industrial and Employment Relations to join our People, Culture and Wellbeing team. The role can be based at our Rotorua or Tauranga campuses and reports to the Head of People and Safety.

The successful candidate will partner with leaders across portfolios, lead ER/IR frameworks, and drive capability while upholding Toi Ohomai values and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Qualifications

• Senior HR practitioner with deep expertise in employment and industrial relations.
• Proven track record partnering with senior leaders.
• Knowledge of NZ employment legislation and practice.
• Ability to lead complex ER/IR and change matters.
• Commitment to equity and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Responsibilities

• Partner with leaders to provide strategic people advice across the full employment lifecycle.
• Support leaders through complex people matters including performance, change, conflict and risk.
• Enable capability uplift through coaching and sound people practice.
• Lead design, development and implementation of ER/IR frameworks, policies and standards.
• Provide oversight and escalation for complex ER/IR matters.
• Support collective bargaining, union engagement and risk management.
• Collaborate with Head of People and Safety and other partners to deliver integrated services.
• Model Toi Ohomai values and commitment to equity and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Skills

HR experience

ER/IR expertise

Change management

Influencing & coaching

Policy design

Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 16th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Toi Ohomai is seeking an experienced and credible People Business Partner – Industrial and Employment Relations to join our People, Culture and Wellbeing team.

This role can be based at either the Mokoia Campus in Rotorua or the Windermere Campus in Tauranga.

This role is part of a newly formed People, Culture and Wellbeing team, established following organisational change to strengthen capability, clarify accountabilities, and support a sustainable, future‑focused operating model.

The People Business Partner – Industrial and Employment Relations provides strategic and operational partnering across an allocated portfolio of Schools and Directorates, while also holding specialist responsibility for industrial and employment relations practice across Toi Ohomai.

You will partner closely with leaders to enable effective people decision making, manage risk, and build capability, while also leading the design, development and implementation of employment and industrial relations frameworks, policies and standards.

The position reports to the Head of People and Safety and is supported by a dedicated People Advisor aligned to this portfolio.

Strategic and Operational Business Partnering

• Partner with leaders across allocated portfolios to provide trusted, strategic people advice across the full employment lifecycle
• Support leaders through complex people matters, including performance, change, conflict and workforce risk
• Enable capability uplift through coaching, guidance and sound people practice

Specialist Portfolio – Industrial and Employment Relations

• Lead the design, development and implementation of employment and industrial relations frameworks, policies and standards
• Provide expert oversight and escalation support for complex ER/IR matters
• Support collective bargaining, union engagement and employment relations risk management
• Contribute thought leadership and continuous improvement across this specialist area

Leadership and Collaboration

• Work closely with the Head of People and Safety, People Advisors and other Business Partners to deliver integrated, consistent people services
• Contribute to team priorities, projects and ways of working
• Model Toi Ohomai values and a strong commitment to equity and Te Tiriti o Waitangi

You are a senior HR practitioner with deep experience in employment and industrial relations and a strong track record as a trusted advisor to leaders.

You will bring:

• Significant experience in HR or people partnering roles within complex organisations
• Demonstrated expertise in NZ employment and industrial relations legislation and practice
• Confidence leading complex ER/IR and change matters
• Strong influencing, coaching and relationship‑building capability
• Experience designing and embedding people frameworks and policies
• A thoughtful, values led approach with a strong commitment to equity and Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology is the largest vocational education provider in the Bay of Plenty and South Waikato. Home to over 9000 ākonga (students), at Toi Ohomai we put ākonga and kaimahi at the centre of all we do. Through educational excellence, Māori Success, strong partnerships and sustainable practices we enable our ākonga, institution and communities to thrive.

Toiohomaitanga describes our way of doing and being. It reflects how we care for each other, work together, and uphold our shared purpose. Ā mātou uara | our values are an important part of this, our Toi Ohomai values are:

• Toitūtanga – Courageous and humble in our pursuit of excellence
• Manaakitanga – Strengthening the mana of others and our communities
• Kotahitanga – United in our shared purpose

Toi Ohomai, we value diversity, equity, and inclusion. We welcome people from all backgrounds, and the unique perspectives and skills they bring. We strive to ensure a recruitment process that is accessible and welcoming and encourage applications from our diverse communities. If you need support during the application process, reach out, we’re here to help.

All applicants must have the legal right to work in New Zealand. Toi Ohomai is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable persons and will undertake relevant vetting and pre-employment checks.

For a copy of the Job Description visit pd_peoplebusinesspartner(irer).apr26.pdf,PD_PeopleBusinessPartner(IRER).Apr26.pdf