We are partnering with a large, complex and highly unionised organisation to recruit an experienced Senior Industrial Relations Manager into a permanent role. This is a senior, business-facing position with responsibility for enterprise bargaining, major workforce change, complex industrial disputes and strategic industrial relations advice.
About The Role
Working closely with senior leaders, People & Culture, Legal, operational stakeholders and union representatives, you will provide practical and commercially focused industrial relations advice across the organisation. You will play a key role in developing and delivering industrial relations strategies that support operational priorities, manage risk and enable effective workforce outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, support and prepare for enterprise bargaining activities, including strategy development, negotiations, approval processes and implementation planning.
- Lead and support major business and workforce change programs, providing strategic industrial relations advice throughout consultation and implementation.
- Advise senior leaders, executives and key stakeholders on workforce change, industrial obligations, compliance and risk management.
- Manage and resolve complex collective disputes, union claims and consultation processes.
- Represent or support the organisation in matters before the Fair Work Commission and other relevant industrial tribunals, where required.
- Partner with operational leaders, People & Culture, Legal and union representatives to develop practical industrial relations solutions that enable business outcomes.
- Identify and manage industrial, compliance and payroll-related risks.
- Use data, workforce insights and continuous improvement approaches to strengthen bargaining, consultation, compliance and industrial relations processes.
About You
- You are a trusted and commercially minded industrial relations professional who is comfortable operating in a complex, fast-paced and highly unionised environment.
- You bring sound judgement, resilience and strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to navigate sensitive matters, influence senior decision-makers and build productive relationships across the business.
- Significant industrial or workplace relations experience within a large, complex and unionised organisation.
- Demonstrated experience leading or supporting enterprise bargaining processes.
- Strong experience in negotiations, claim management, industrial action planning, approval processes and agreement implementation.
- Proven experience managing collective disputes, union engagement and major workforce change programs.
- Experience managing matters before industrial tribunals or the Fair Work Commission.
- The ability to identify and manage industrial, compliance and payroll-related risks.
- Strong analytical capability, with experience using data and insights to support practical decision-making.
- Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-management skills.
- Legal qualifications or an equivalent workplace relations qualification are desirable.
Why Join?
This is an opportunity to join a major organisation in a senior and influential industrial relations position. You will work on complex, high-impact matters and partner closely with leaders across the business to shape workforce strategy and deliver sustainable industrial outcomes.
Senior Industrial Relations Partner employer: Clario
Clario is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and supportive work culture, making it an ideal place for Employment Lawyers to thrive. With a focus on professional growth, employees benefit from engaging with leading in-house legal teams and tackling complex workplace matters while enjoying a flexible work environment in Melbourne. The company values authenticity, curiosity, and long-term relationships, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered to make a meaningful impact.
