Employee Relations Advisor | Fixed-Term

Rentokil Initial; Auckland; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Rentokil Initial in Auckland is seeking an experienced Employee Relations Advisor to own a varied ER caseload in a fast-paced environment. Immediate start with a 6-month fixed term, reporting to HR partners and working closely with business leaders to balance risk and commercial needs.

You will advise on grievances, investigations, and disciplinary matters, support mediation, and help build a robust ER resource library.

Qualifications

• 3+ years' NZ HR/ER experience, including independently managing complex ER matters
• Hands-on experience with personal grievances, investigations and disciplinary processes
• Experience attending and actively participating in employment mediation
• Strong working knowledge of New Zealand employment legislation and good faith obligations
• Confidence advising and coaching leaders through challenging people matters
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain momentum in a fast-moving environment
• Strong judgement and a solutions-focused approach – able to balance technical ER requirements with commercial realities
• A communication style that is kind and empathetic, but clear and direct

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of a varied portfolio of ER cases, including personal grievances, workplace investigations, disciplinary and performance matters
• Support medical, injury and incapacity-related employment matters
• Prepare for and participate in employment mediation and support dispute resolution
• Provide clear, practical advice that balances employment risk, employee considerations and commercial requirements
• Partner with HR Business Partners and leaders to progress matters efficiently and achieve pragmatic outcomes
• Coach leaders to address people issues early, build capability and reduce repeat ER issues
• Maintain accurate case tracking and identify trends, emerging risks and opportunities for early intervention
• Help develop and strengthen our library of ER templates, tools and resources

Job description

Immediate start | 6 month fixed term | Auckland

We’re looking for an experienced Employee Relations Advisor who can hit the ground running and confidently take ownership of an active ER caseload.

Working closely with our HR Business Partners, HR Managers and business leaders, you’ll provide practical, commercially balanced ER advice and support across a varied and fast-paced operational environment.

What you'll be doing

• Take ownership of a varied portfolio of ER cases, including personal grievances, workplace investigations, disciplinary and performance matters
• Support medical, injury and incapacity-related employment matters
• Prepare for and participate in employment mediation and support dispute resolution
• Provide clear, practical advice that balances employment risk, employee considerations and commercial requirements
• Partner with HR Business Partners and leaders to progress matters efficiently and achieve pragmatic outcomes
• Coach leaders to address people issues early, build capability and reduce repeat ER issues
• Maintain accurate case tracking and identify trends, emerging risks and opportunities for early intervention
• Help develop and strengthen our library of ER templates, tools and resources

What you'll bring

You’ll be an experienced NZ ER practitioner who is comfortable stepping into existing matters and quickly getting across the detail.

You’ll ideally bring:

• 3+ years' NZ HR/ER experience, including independently managing complex ER matters
• Hands-on experience with personal grievances, investigations and disciplinary processes
• Experience attending and actively participating in employment mediation
• Strong working knowledge of New Zealand employment legislation and good faith obligations
• Confidence advising and coaching leaders through challenging people matters
• The ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain momentum in a fast-moving environment
• Strong judgement and a solutions-focused approach – able to balance technical ER requirements with commercial realities
• A communication style that is kind and empathetic, but clear and direct

Experience with matters progressing to the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) and/or working with external employment counsel would be an advantage.

Why this role?

This is an opportunity to step into a meaningful ER role where you can make an immediate impact. You'll have exposure to a broad range of ER matters, work alongside an experienced HR team and have the opportunity to help strengthen how we manage ER across the business.

We're looking for someone who can start immediately, so if you're an experienced ER practitioner ready to get stuck in, we'd love to hear from you.