Senior Workplace Relations Specialist in Melbourne

Employment Type: On Going Full Time (FT)

Location: Northern Health (All Campuses)

About Northern Health:

As an organisation we have a clear focus on how we service and partner with our community, including our strategy of helping the community stay well when at home. Our reputation of community minded, inclusive and progressive is matched to none. Northern Health is located in the rapidly growing northern suburbs with projected growth the biggest in the state. With a booming, culturally rich and diverse community, and less than an hour’s drive from the CBD, Melbourne’s North is fast becoming the place to be.

About the Role:

This is not a traditional advisory role. As a senior workplace relations practitioner, you will take ownership of the pathway for complex matters from assessment through to resolution. You will work closely with executives, directors, operational leaders, unions, Legal and People & Culture professionals to navigate challenging employee and industrial relations issues and deliver practical, defensible and operationally workable outcomes.

The role leads the work associated with misconduct, performance, behavioural concerns, grievances, workplace investigations, industrial disputes, employment risk and matters before the Fair Work Commission and other external tribunals, review bodies and regulatory authorities. You will not simply identify risks or provide technical advice. You will develop the strategy, coordinate stakeholders, establish decision points, provide recommendations and guide matters through to implementation while ensuring procedural fairness, sound governance and appropriate escalation of risk.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Leading complex employee and industrial relations matters from commencement through to resolution.
• Managing workplace investigations, including allegations, findings, recommendations and outcome correspondence.
• Advising leaders on employment, industrial, legal, operational and reputational risk.
• Developing practical pathways, options and implementation plans for complex workforce issues.
• Managing union engagement, disputes, grievances and consultation processes.
• Supporting Fair Work Commission matters and other external review, tribunal and regulatory proceedings.
• Preparing high-quality briefs, recommendations, submissions and executive correspondence.
• Coaching leaders and building organisational capability in workplace relations practice.
• Identifying systemic workforce risks and recommending improvements to policy, process and governance.

What We're Looking For:

• Technical IR/ER Expertise: Substantial senior-level expertise in employee relations, industrial relations or employment law, supported by advanced knowledge of industrial instruments, employment legislation, workplace investigations and procedural fairness.
• Depth of Experience: Demonstrated experience leading complex and high-risk employee and industrial relations matters.
• Stakeholder Management and Influence: Exceptional ability to build trusted relationships, establish credibility and coordinate stakeholders with competing interests and perspectives.
• Hands-On Delivery: A strong track record of personally undertaking the technical and practical work required to progress complex matters.
• Pathway Design and Problem Solving: Demonstrated ability to convert complexity into a practical and achievable path forward.
• Judgement, Governance and Courage: Exercises sound judgement in ambiguity, provides frank and balanced advice, understands governance frameworks and appropriately escalates material risks and decisions.
• Communication and Advisory Capability: Highly developed written and verbal communication skills.
• Operating Style: Curious, pragmatic, calm under pressure and resilient.

Qualifications:

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Law, Industrial Relations, Employee Relations, Human Resources or a related discipline.
• Eligibility to practise law is desirable but not essential.
• Current National Police Check (or willingness to obtain one).
• Current Victorian Driver Licence.

Success in This Role Looks Like:

• Leaders receive timely, practical and defensible advice.
• Complex matters progress with pace, procedural fairness and sound governance.
• Industrial and employment risks are identified and managed early.
• Stakeholders experience professional, credible and coordinated engagement.
• Outcomes are achieved through clear pathways, sound judgement and effective stakeholder alignment.
• Lessons learned strengthen broader organisational practice and capability.

If you're an experienced workplace relations professional who thrives on complexity, enjoys solving difficult problems and wants to make a meaningful impact in a large and evolving health service, we'd love to hear from you.

Why work at Northern Health?

NH offer a range of benefits which support and reward staff both personally and professionally. Our staff benefits include award winning facilities and campus partnerships, Professional development and events, an award-winning Health and wellbeing program and financial benefits.

• Health and Wellbeing programs, including our new ‘Thrive’ program
• Flexibility in the workplace and extra leave options and support
• An inclusive and culturally safe space
• Access to salary packaging & EAP
• Comprehensive Library services for learning, research, clinical decision-making, leisure and wellbeing (onsite and online)

Northern Health is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce which reflects the community we serve. Applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as well as applicants who are LGBTIQ+, who have different abilities, or are from culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds are encouraged.