Job description
Agency Department of the Chief Minister and Work unit Office of the Commissioner for Public
Cabinet Employment - Employee Relations
Job title Senior Executive Director Employee Designation Executive Contract Officer 3
Relations
Job type Full time Duration Fixed for 4 years
Remuneration $269,482 Location Darwin
Position number 12531 RTF Closing 05/01/2026
Contact officer Nicole Hurwood, Commissioner for Public Employment on or
About the agency
Apply online
APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE A ONE-PAGE SUMMARY ABOUT YOU, A DETAILED RESUME AND COPIES OF YOUR
TERTIARY QUALIFICATIONS.
Information for applicants – inclusion and diversity and Special Measures recruitment plans
The NTPS values diversity. The NTPS encourages people from all diversity groups to apply for vacancies and accommodates
people with disability by making reasonable workplace adjustments. If you require an adjustment for the recruitment process or
job, please discuss this with the contact officer. For more information about applying for this position and the merit process, go
to the OCPE website.
Primary objective
Direct, lead and manage a team to provide strategic advice on a range of employee, workforce, and industrial relations matters,
including developing IR strategies for enterprise bargaining negotiations and complex industrial disputes. Deputise for the
Commissioner in relation to employee and IR matters; and ensure the efficient and effective administration of private sector
industrial relations matters within the jurisdiction of the Territory, the Long Service Leave Act 1981 and the Public Holidays Act 1981.
Context statement
The Commissioner for Public Employment is the statutory employer of all employees in the Northern Territory Public Sector (NTPS).
The Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment (OCPE) monitors the employment environment to develop innovative and
sustainable contemporary NTPS employment frameworks. The Employee Relations Division is the principal source of advice to the
Commissioner on NTPS-wide employee, IR, and workforce relations matters.
Key duties and responsibilities
1. Deputise for the Commissioner in relation to employment and industrial relations matters as and when needed.
2. Lead and manage the resources and functions of the Employee Relations team.
3. Develop Industrial Relations strategies for enterprise bargaining, complex industrial disputes, and Fair Work matters on behalf
of the Commissioner as the Statutory Employer; lead, develop and support staff to advocate complex cases before industrial
tribunals on behalf of the employer.
1. Provide strategic and operational advice to the Commissioner, CEOs, and other stakeholders on the full range of employee, IR
and workforce issues affecting the NT, including enterprise bargaining and employer advocacy.
1. Represent the Commissioner and maintain senior level strategic alliances and collaborative partnerships with stakeholders at
local and national levels.
1. Collaborate and contribute to framing and delivering the strategic direction and governance of the OCPE, as a member of the
Leader's Group.
Selection criteria
Essential
1. Demonstrated record of proactive strategic executive leadership and team management, with the ability to build organisational
capability, with a continuous performance improvement focus in a large organisation/multi-stakeholder environment, and
within a complex policy, employee / industrial relations context.
1. Outcomes focussed ability to lead the development and implementation of strategic, innovative and sustainable contemporary
industrial relations and employment frameworks for the NTPS workforce.
1. Exceptional collaborative, negotiation and influential skills with a demonstrated ability to establish and sustain productive
working relationships and strategic alliances with key stakeholders locally and nationally and demonstrated sound professional
judgement and political acumen.
1. Superior communication and interpersonal skills, including highly developed analytical and conceptual thinking, facilitation and
presentation skills, and expertise in the preparation of reports and briefings of a substantial and complex nature.
1. Ability to provide clear and accurate strategy and policy advice within tight timeframes with the ability to deal with uncertainty.
Desirable
1. Tertiary qualifications in a legal or other relevant field.