Representing our client MNAQ, we're hiring an experienced HR Business Partner to lead employee relations and industrial relations in a complex, regulated setting.
Position Title: Human Resources Business Partner
Reports To: HR and Communications Director
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Position Type: Full Time
Role Purpose
The HRBP will partner with the P&C team and business leaders to deliver strategic and operational HR support, ensuring workforce stability, compliance, and cultural alignment across MNAQ's Victorian laboratory, technical, and operational sites. The role will have a strong emphasis on Employee Relations (ER), Industrial Relations (IR), and operational HR delivery, supporting a highly regulated, multi-site, and unionised environment.
Key Responsibilities
* Workforce Administration & Compliance
o Manage employee life cycle administration: new hires, transfers, terminations, and contract changes.
o Oversee staff turnover monitoring, providing analysis and retention recommendations.
o Coordinate visa and immigration processes for international hires in line with Australian Government requirements.
o Ensure compliance with Fair Work Act, National Employment Standards (NES), Modern Awards, and Enterprise Agreements.
o Resolve payroll-related queries and provide required payroll inputs to Payroll Services.
o Manage remuneration and benefits administration, including superannuation, insurance, and leave entitlements.
o Prepare and maintain employment agreements, addendum letters, and contract variations.
o Ensure remuneration and benefits practices are compliant with legislative requirements and company policies.
* HR Systems & Data
o Manage HRIS and HR tools, ensuring data accuracy and process optimisation.
o Maintain employee records in compliance with privacy and record-keeping obligations.
o Prepare and analyse HR reports on workforce trends, turnover, absenteeism, and compliance metrics.
* Recruitment, Onboarding & Workforce Planning
o Lead recruitment for positions in collaboration with hiring managers.
o Coordinate onboarding programs to ensure new employees are fully inducted.
o Support lab transfers and redeployment planning across sites.
o Assist with the development and maintenance of the workforce plans to meet operational demands.
o Partner with P&C team and leaders to design development and training plans for individuals and teams.
o Implement performance review processes, ensuring alignment with organisational goals.
* Employee Relations (ER) & Industrial Relations (IR)
o Conduct investigations into misconduct, grievances, and workplace disputes.
o Assist with the management of union relationships and act as a key point of contact for local workplace representatives.
o Support Enterprise Agreement negotiations and manage industrial disputes.
o Provide advice on IR strategies and legislative changes impacting the business.
o Partner with HSE team to ensure compliance with WHS legislation and internal safety policies.
o Support safety training, risk assessments, and incident investigations.
o Promote health and wellbeing initiatives to maintain workforce engagement.
o Partner with RTW coordinators regarding work-cover matters.
* Daily Relationship Management
o Maintain a visible HR presence on site, engaging with staff at all levels.
o Provide day-to-day guidance to leaders and employees on HR matters.
o Act as a trusted advisor to business leaders in decision-making.
Key Relationships
* External: Unions, Fair Work Commission, Government Agencies (Immigration, WHS), Employment Lawyers, Recruitment Agencies, Schools and University Industry events.
Skills, Experience & Qualifications
* Degree in HR, IR, Law, or related field
* 10+ years HR experience, with significant ER/IR exposure in a unionised, multi-site environment
* Strong understanding of Australian labour law, Modern Awards, and Fair Work compliance
* Demonstrated success in HR systems and workforce reporting
* Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
* Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written).
* Exceptional planning and organisational skills.
* Analytical approach to problem solving.
* Strong attention to detail
* Ability to effectively work within a team and independently when required including collaborating with staff and stakeholders at all levels of the business.
* Postgraduate qualification in HR, IR, or Law
* Experience in laboratory, food testing, or regulated technical industries
* Track record in integration or post-merger HR delivery
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