Employment Relations Specialist

Fletcher Building Limited; Auckland; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

9-month fixed-term

Free staff parking

On-site café

KiwiSaver employer contributions 4%

Cross-company exposure

Supportive People & Performance team

Job summary

Fletcher Construction in Auckland seeks an experienced Employment Relations Specialist for a 9‑month fixed-term contract covering parental leave. Based in Penrose, you’ll support ER across Fletcher Construction, Higgins and Brian Perry Civil, advising leaders and People & Performance teams.

You’ll bring legal qualification with NZ practicing certificate and 5+ years in employment/industrial relations, plus proven skills in mediation, investigations and coaching.

Qualifications

• Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand with a current practicing certificate.
• At least 5 years' experience in employment law, employment relations, industrial relations, or a similar specialist role.
• Proven experience managing complex ER matters, investigations, disputes, and disciplinary processes.
• Experience representing employers in mediation and employment dispute resolution.
• Strong coaching and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence and build credibility at all levels.
• The ability to balance legal risk, practical business outcomes and good people practices.

Responsibilities

• Managing complex employment relations and industrial relations cases from start to finish.
• Providing practical and commercially minded advice to leaders and People & Performance teams.
• Supporting mediation, dispute resolution, investigations, and risk assessments.
• Identifying ER trends, emerging risks, and areas for improvement across the business.
• Developing and delivering ER training, coaching, and resources for leaders and People and Performance teams.

Skills

ER expertise

Legal judgment

Stakeholder engagement

Mediation & dispute resolution

Coaching

Education

Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand with a current practicing certificate

Job description

We're looking for an experienced Employment Relations Specialist to join Fletcher Construction on a 9-month fixed-term contract, covering parental leave from December 2026 through to August 2027.

Based in Penrose, you'll provide specialist employment relations and industrial relations support across Fletcher Construction, Higgins and Brian Perry Civil. Working closely with leaders and People & Performance teams, you'll provide practical advice, manage complex employment matters, support leaders through challenging situations, and help ensure employment matters are handled fairly and consistently.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing complex employment relations and industrial relations cases from start to finish
• Providing practical and commercially minded advice to leaders and People & Performance teams
• Supporting mediation, dispute resolution, investigations, and risk assessments
• Identifying ER trends, emerging risks, and areas for improvement across the business
• Developing and delivering ER training, coaching, and resources for leaders and People and Performance teams

About You

You'll be an experienced ER professional who combines strong technical expertise with sound judgement and a practical approach to problem solving.

You'll bring:

• Admission as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand with a current practicing certificate
• At least 5 years' experience in employment law, employment relations, industrial relations, or a similar specialist role
• Proven experience managing complex ER matters, investigations, disputes, and disciplinary processes
• Experience representing employers in mediation and employment dispute resolution processes
• Strong coaching and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence and build credibility at all levels
• The ability to balance legal risk, practical business outcomes and good people practices.

What We Offer

• A 9-month fixed-term opportunity covering parental leave
• Based at our Penrose office with free staff parking and an on-site café
• KiwiSaver employer contributions matched up to 4%
• Exposure to complex and varied ER and IR matters
• The opportunity to work across Fletcher Construction, Higgins, and Brian Perry Civil
• A supportive and experienced People & Performance team

Fletcher Construction is a leading construction and infrastructure business delivering complex projects that support New Zealand's communities, economy, and future growth. Across Fletcher Construction, Higgins, and Brian Perry Civil, our teams deliver major infrastructure, civil engineering, and transport network projects throughout New Zealand. As part of VINCI Construction, we are backed by one of the world's largest construction groups while maintaining a strong local focus here in New Zealand.

Research shows that females and minority groups don’t always apply for roles unless they match 100% of the requirements. So, if this role is of interest but you feel you don’t quite fit, we encourage you to apply anyway. We are enriched by many nationalities, languages, religions, customs, and lifestyles. We are proud of our diversity and see it as one of the things that make us better together.