ER & WHS Lead

Work Type:

Location:

Melbourne - VIC 

  • ER/Workcover Lead
  • Highly flexible - 2 days on office
  • $175K package
About the Company

A global, digitally enabled business with a diversified portfolio of global clients to provide robust, efficient and scalable services, purpose-built solutions and modern technology platforms that deliver world class outcomes and experiences. 
  
About the Role
  
Looking for an experienced Employee Relations & WHS Lead to manage complex workplace matters where conduct, wellbeing, psychosocial safety and capacity for work overlap. This is not a policy-only or purely advisory ER role. It’s a hands-on role focused on navigating difficult, high-impact situations with sound judgement, pragmatism and resilience.
  
You’ll work closely with leaders, People Partners and Health & Safety to manage sensitive matters fairly, consistently and in line with employment legislation and organisational policy.
  
What you’ll be doing

You’ll lead complex employee relations matters end-to-end, including:
  • Workplace grievances, misconduct and disciplinary matters 
  • Psychosocial safety and workplace behavioural concerns 
  • Cases involving illness, injury or reduced capacity for work 
  • Workplace investigations, including interviews, evidence gathering and findings 
  • Supporting leaders through difficult people situations with practical coaching and guidance 
  • Reviewing medical and functional capacity information to support employment decision-making 
  • Managing overlapping conduct, performance and wellbeing matters 
  • Supporting consistent governance, documentation and risk management practices 
This role is highly collaborative, highly autonomous and highly trusted. You’ll need to balance empathy with accountability and make sound decisions in complex situations where there often isn’t a perfect answer.
  
About You

We’re less focused on industry background and more interested in the type of environments you’ve operated in.  You may come from healthcare, frontline operations, logistics, retail, government, contact centres or other operationally complex environments where psychosocial safety, employee wellbeing and workforce risk are part of day-to-day reality.
  
You’ll bring:
  • Strong experience managing complex ER matters end-to-end 
  • Exposure to psychosocial safety, illness/injury or capacity-for-work matters 
  • Experience leading investigations and managing sensitive workplace situations 
  • Sound understanding of employment law, workplace legislation and HR/ER frameworks 
  • Strong judgement and emotional intelligence 
  • The ability to influence leaders and operate calmly under pressure 
  • A practical, balanced approach — not overly theoretical or black-and-white 
What's in it for you?

This is an opportunity to work inside one of Australia’s most operationally complex and systemically important industries.

If you’re someone who thrives in complexity, can navigate difficult situations with maturity and pragmatism, and wants to do meaningful work beyond traditional ER, we’d love to hear from you.
  
Please apply with your most up to date CV and a detailed cover letter outlining your suitability, and motivation for the role.

Reference Number:

4041248

Date Published:

26-May-2026

Contact Name:

Bo Campbell

Contact Email:

confidential@thenextstep.com.au


By applying for this role, you consent to your personal information being collected, stored, and shared in accordance with applicable privacy legislation.


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.