Industrial Relations Consultant | Employment Law
Australian Unity | Purpose-led organisation
About us
Established in 1840, we are Australia’s first wellbeing company, delivering health, wealth and care services for our members and the community.
As a social enterprise, we’re motivated by our purpose to positively impact the wellbeing of millions. We reinvest profits to deliver products and services sustainably that matter most to our members, customers and the Australian community.
For us, Real Wellbeing encompasses the whole experience of life. It’s about feeling supported in your health, connected with your community and empowered to live life on your terms.
The Opportunity
Working within a specialist Industrial Relations & Employment Compliance team, you'll provide expert advice on enterprise agreements, awards, employment compliance and workforce relations matters. The Industrial Relations Consultant will also be responsible for supporting the implementation of risk and compliance management activities, consultative committees and forums, developing policy frameworks, interpreting industrial instruments and other documentation; as well as conducting complex data analysis to support compliance or bargaining activities.
They will play a key role in supporting the organisation to meet its employment obligations under relevant modern awards and Australian Unity enterprise agreements, as well as supporting the development of appropriate management frameworks to prevent and resolve employee issues which arise out of work situations.
Key Responsibilities Include:
Enterprise agreement negotiations
- Support senior Industrial Relations & Employment Compliance colleagues in the planning, analysis and development of workforce planning and negotiation strategies (for identified negotiations) which enable the business to realise their commercial, operational and cultural objectives.
- Assist in conducting data analysis as necessary to support the development of negotiation strategies and calculations to support Better Off Overall assessments.
- Support in drafting of bargaining materials and providing risk and strategic advice to business leaders in the execution of negotiations.
- Conducting business analytic tasks, such as mapping current processes and costings for clauses and entitlements contained within an enterprise agreement.
Union relationships and collective issues management
- Effectively support the business in developing appropriate responses to issues raised by unions.
- Assess industrial risk related to major change and support in providing expert advice to mitigate such risks in a manner consistent with business objective.
Employment regulation compliance and risk management
- Support the Industrial Relations Lead in conducting data and business analysis to proactively identify, and/or remediate, any employment compliance issues.
- Prepare and deliver advocacy in industrial disputes, conduct research and prepare written submissions under supervision of senior members of the team.
- Support in advising people leaders regarding complex interpretation issues relating to legislative obligations, modern awards, Australian Unity enterprise agreements, employment contracts and policies.
Business Partnering
- Develop and maintain a relationship of trust, confidence and influence with key business leaders and people and culture colleagues, as necessary.
- Prepare responses to complex queries from across the business relating to industrial relations and workplace compliance issues.
- Develop an understanding of the strategic direction and operational challenges of the businesses and provide advice that is appropriate to these needs.
The Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate will bring experience in Industrial Relations / Employment Law with sound knowledge of modern awards, enterprise agreements and Australian employment legislation. They will be a trusted advisor with strong stakeholder management and analytical skills, able to interpret industrial instruments, manage compliance risks and provide practical, commercially focused advice. A collaborative approach, sound judgement and the ability to influence outcomes in a complex environment will be key to success. Strong analytical capability is essential, with the ability to interpret complex workforce data, identify trends and develop actionable insights to support compliance, risk management and industrial strategy.
Applications close: 24th July
You will bring:
- Australian Legal Practitioner with a current practicing certificate – strongly preferred
- Minimum 2 years post admission experience in employment law – preferred
- Practical experience advising large, diverse and complex organisations about industrial relations issues – preferably in Human Services and/or a health care setting
- Practical experience in conducting analysis of payroll and time and attendance data to identify issues of payroll non-compliance
- Experience in enterprise bargaining, including strategy development and supporting calculations
Why Join Us?
You will enjoy a range of great employee benefits and rewards including:
- Competitive salary + bonus program
- Enjoy additional yearly Well-Being and Community leave days
- 14-week paid parental leave, with equal benefit for both parents
- Employee Referral Program
- Employee Assistance Program – support and assistance for you and your partner at those times in life when you need it most
- Flare/Maxxia Rewards - a great range of discounts and benefits at selected retail outlets, department stores, attractions, travel, cinemas, restaurants.
- Discounts across the Australian Unity business including Private Health Insurance, General Insurance + more!
- Available access to LinkedIn Learning courses through our great Learning platform
For further benefits visit: https://www.australianunity.com.au/careers/culture
Australian Unity is an Equal Opportunity employer and we encourage applications from all members of the community, including people of Aboriginal and Torres strait Islander descent, culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and, mature aged people.
