Lead Workplace Relations and Business Partnering Teams
Job Description:
This is a high-impact opportunity to lead workplace relations and business partnering teams at a leading university. As our Associate Director, you will provide strategic advice to executive leaders and drive enterprise-wide initiatives with a focus on proactive risk-aware and people-centred solutions.
You will shape the university's approach to complex employment matters, compliance, and organisational change. Team leadership is foundational to this role, requiring a strong and supportive people leader who can inspire, coach, and empower teams to deliver impactful, collaborative, and forward-thinking solutions.
This is a unique opportunity to lead with impact in a bargaining year, playing a pivotal role in enterprise bargaining negotiations and broader workforce transformation.
Key Responsibilities:
* Lead the development and implementation of the university's workplace relations strategy, including enterprise bargaining, performance management, and conduct compliance.
* Lead and support both the workplace relations and senior HR business partner teams to deliver integrated strategic and solutions-focused support to senior leaders across faculties, schools, and professional units.
* Advise and support executive and senior stakeholders on workforce planning, organisational change, complex case management, and reform.
* Represent the university in external industrial forums and negotiations and lead collaborative relationships with union stakeholders.
* Oversee conduct and compliance processes, including public interest disclosures, conflict of interest, and risk culture reporting.
* Keep the university ahead of changes in legislation, employment law, and sector trends, translating insight into clear action plans, education, and implementation.
* Support the broader people and culture strategic direction and contribute to a values-based, inclusive, and high-performing culture.
Requirements:
* Tertiary qualifications in Human Resource Management, Employment Law, Industrial Relations, or a related discipline, supported by extensive experience in senior HR leadership roles.
* Strong knowledge of contemporary HRM and workplace relations practices, including enterprise bargaining, dispute resolution, performance management, and conduct matters.
* Proven success in leading and developing high-performing teams within complex or unionised environments, preferably across multiple sites.
* Demonstrated ability to provide strategic and operational advice to senior leaders, contributing to business outcomes through effective workforce planning, risk management, and change leadership.
* Advanced understanding of the Australian employment and industrial relations legislative framework and the ability to apply this knowledge in a pragmatic and compliant manner.
* Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and influencing skills, with a track record of building trusted relationships with executive teams, staff, and union representatives.
* Experience contributing to the development and implementation of HR strategy, policies, and governance frameworks in alignment with organisational goals.
* A working knowledge of the higher education sector, desirable or experience within similarly regulated or complex industries.
About Us:
We are an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, women in STEM, First Nations peoples, and individuals of diverse cultures, genders, abilities, and experiences.