Employee & Industrial Relations Lead

Work Type:

Location:

Sydney - NSW 

  • Professional workforce & meaningful work
  • Sydney CBD location | hybrid | Part-time considered
  • Up to $146,000 plus super
About Them
Join a large, values-driven organisation that provides critical services to communities across New South Wales.
With a highly skilled workforce operating across metropolitan, regional and remote locations, the organisation plays an important role supporting individuals through some of life's most challenging circumstances. Their work is diverse, fast-paced and deeply connected to the communities they serve.
Following a period of transformation within the People & Culture function, the organisation continues to invest in strengthening its Employment and Industrial Relations capability to support a changing workforce and evolving operational environment.

About the Role
Reporting into an experienced and credible Industrial Relations leader, this role sits at the centre of some of the organisation's most complex and high-profile people matters.
You'll act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, providing expert ER and IR advice across a broad portfolio of workforce issues. The role offers a genuine mix of operational and strategic work, with a strong focus on organisational change, employee relations and stakeholder management.
Key responsibilities include:
  • Providing expert advice across ER and IR matters
  • Managing complex investigations, grievances and workplace conduct issues
  • Supporting leaders through organisational restructures and workforce change initiatives
  • Partnering with unions and employee representatives
  • Supporting conflict resolution and workplace risk management
  • Contributing to strategic ER and IR projects across the organisation
  • Interpreting industrial instruments, policies and employment legislation
This is not a transactional case management role. The work is varied, complex and often unique, offering exposure to matters rarely seen in more traditional commercial environments.

About You
You are an experienced Employee Relations or Industrial Relations professional who thrives in complex, fast-paced environments and enjoys partnering with leaders to navigate sensitive workplace matters. You bring a strong foundation in ER and IR, with hands-on experience managing investigations, grievances, misconduct matters and workplace conflict. You have supported organisational change initiatives, including restructures and consultation processes, and are confident engaging with unions and employee representatives. With a sound understanding of Australian employment legislation and industrial frameworks, you provide pragmatic, commercially minded advice while balancing risk, stakeholder needs and organisational outcomes. Strong relationship-building skills, sound judgement and the ability to influence at all levels will be key to your success in this role.

Public sector experience will be highly regarded, however candidates from other complex, unionised environments are encouraged to apply.
 
You'll join a fun, collaborative and supportive team, work alongside respected leaders in the field, and gain exposure to significant organisational change initiatives. 

For More Information For a confidential discussion, contact Lorainne Winterstein on 02 8256 2512 or lwinterstein@thenextstep.com.au, quoting reference 4071744

Reference Number:

4071744

Date Published:

23-Sep-2026

Contact Name:

Lorainne Winterstein

Contact Email:

Lwinterstein@thenextstep.com.au


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Your details may be provided to our clients for potential opportunities; however, this will only occur after a discussion with one of our consultants and with your consent. We are committed to handling your information securely and confidentially in line with national privacy requirements.

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The Next Step embraces individuality and differences in gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural background, disability, faith and sexual orientation. We strive to provide a recruitment experience that’s fair, inclusive and accessible. We encourage all suitable applicants to apply for roles. Please speak to our consultants about any accessibility needs to be considered during the recruitment process.