Director, Workplace Relations

Step into a senior role at the heart of a large, purpose-led organisation with a diverse and complex operating environment. This 12-month fixed-term opportunity offers real influence—partnering with a range of portfolios and business leaders to shape a respectful, inclusive, and high-performing workplace culture.

Position: Director, Workplace Relations

You’ll lead the delivery of expert workplace and industrial relations advice across a broad internal client base—spanning multiple divisions and functional portfolios. You’ll handle sensitive and complex matters, build manager capability, and work collaboratively with stakeholders to support consistent, fair, and timely outcomes.

You’ll join a highly capable people and culture team with a mature ER/IR practice, where your leadership will help shape strategy, coach others, and ensure service delivery aligns with organisational values and obligations.

Your remit will include:

1. Leading a team of two Workplace Relations practitioners and promoting staff wellbeing in a high-integrity, trauma-informed environment.
2. Managing complex casework across a large, unionised, and regulated workforce.
3. Advising on employee relations strategy and providing pragmatic, risk-aware guidance to senior stakeholders.
4. Representing the organisation in formal proceedings and managing union relationships professionally.
5. Coaching HR partners and operational leaders on managing complex people issues.
6. Enhancing internal capacity and embedding best practices in dispute resolution and workplace conduct.
7. Driving process improvements and policy alignment with a proactive, client-focused approach.

About you:

You are a confident, strategic advisor with deep expertise in workplace relations and experience leading in dynamic, multi-stakeholder environments. You can see the big picture and resolve individual matters with fairness and discretion.

To be successful, you’ll offer:

1. Significant HR/IR experience, especially in employee relations strategy and case management.
2. Leadership experience with small but capable teams.
3. Experience working with diverse portfolios and stakeholders in large or matrixed environments.
4. Strong industrial relations knowledge, including enterprise agreement interpretation and union engagement.
5. A practical, coaching style that builds confidence and trust.
6. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
7. Tertiary qualifications in HR, Law, Industrial Relations, or related fields.

This is a rare opportunity to join a values-driven organisation with national profile and purpose. You’ll work on a broad range of issues with strong executive support, delivering meaningful change.

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