Location:
Sydney, NSW, AU, 2000
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Req ID: 84422
Manager Employee & Industrial Relations
Help leaders navigate the moments that matter most
Lead Legal Aid NSW’s specialist Industrial and Employee Relations function
Purpose-led public service environment with flexible ways of working
This is a full-time Ongoing Manager Employee Relations role at Clerk Grade 11/12, with a starting salary of $154,231 plus superannuation, negotiable within the grade depending on experience and capability. The role is based in Sydney CBD close to Central Station, with flexible ways of working supported.
What it’s like to work at Legal Aid NSW
Work where good judgement matters
Legal Aid NSW exists to support people facing some of the most challenging moments in their lives.
Behind every legal service we provide are leaders and teams making difficult decisions in complex, demanding environments. Supporting those people requires Human Resources professionals who can navigate complexity with confidence, fairness and sound judgement.
The work is often sensitive. It requires careful thinking, practical advice and the ability to balance legal obligations with human outcomes.
This role exists to help leaders do exactly that.
Why this role matters at Legal Aid NSW
Under new Human Resources leadership, Legal Aid NSW is strengthening how it supports leaders through complex employee and industrial relations matters.
This role is central to that ambition.
You’ll lead our specialist Industrial and Employee Relations function, helping leaders navigate challenging workplace situations with confidence while ensuring our decisions remain fair, consistent and legally sound.
You’ll help create an environment where issues are managed early, respectfully and pragmatically, building capability across the organisation while reducing unnecessary escalation.
What this role is like day to day
This is not simply an advisory role.
You will be the organisation’s senior specialist for Industrial and Employee Relations, partnering with leaders across Legal Aid NSW on some of our most complex and sensitive people matters.
You’ll lead workplace investigations, provide advice on misconduct, grievances, performance management, industrial disputes and organisational change, while representing the organisation in external proceedings where required.
Some days you’ll be coaching a manager through a difficult conversation.
Other days you’ll be helping resolve matters involving unions, external agencies or legal representatives.
You’ll work closely with senior leaders, HR Business Partners and specialist HR teams to ensure people decisions are practical, proportionate and aligned with our values.
What you’ll be trusted to do
Lead Legal Aid NSW’s Industrial and Employee Relations function.
Provide trusted advice on complex workplace matters and organisational risk.
Coach and build capability in leaders to manage people matters confidently and fairly.
Lead workplace investigations and advise on misconduct, grievances, performance and organisational change.
Build constructive relationships with unions and external stakeholders.
Represent Legal Aid NSW in tribunals, conciliations and other external proceedings where appropriate.
Strengthen policies, governance and people practices that support respectful and accountable workplaces.
You’ll operate with a high degree of autonomy while working closely with leaders across the organisation.
You’ll succeed in this role if you…
Understand that great Industrial and Employee Relations is about far more than knowing legislation.
You are likely someone who:
brings significant experience leading complex Industrial and Employee Relations functions
exercises sound judgement under pressure
can balance legal risk with practical workplace outcomes
builds trusted relationships with leaders, employees and unions
remains calm, objective and solutions focused when managing sensitive matters
prefers building leadership capability over taking ownership away from leaders
Experience in NSW Government or another large, complex and unionised organisation will be highly regarded.
Human Resources at Legal Aid NSW
Human Resources exists to support the people who support the most vulnerable.
We partner with leaders to build clarity, fairness and accountability in environments where the work is demanding and the consequences are real. We value sound judgement over bureaucracy, coaching over control, and practical solutions that help leaders lead well, especially when the path is not obvious
This is HR work that requires courage, empathy and pragmatism and it is work that matters.
How Legal Aid NSW supports its people
How we support each other matters, because we work to support vulnerable people in challenging circumstances.
Legal Aid NSW is committed to creating a culturally safe and inclusive workplace. Ours is a workplace where people are respected, heard and supported to do meaningful work. We value lived experience, difference and diversity because this strengthens how we serve the community.
With dedicated programs, training, resources, and respectful work practices, our Wellbeing Framework ensures your physical, mental and psychosocial wellbeing matters, so you feel supported, safe and holistically well.
As the largest law firm in NSW we offer a variety of opportunities to enhance your career at every stage, through regional graduate programs, Practical Legal Training and work placements, mentoring, training, and secondment opportunities.
We are a Flex Ready certified and Carers and Employers accredited organisation. We recognise that providing a sustainable service requires trust, balance and care so we provide flexible ways of working to help our people sustain the demands of the work.
We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability and people with lived experience of diversity.
Download the Role Description to explore the role in-depth and to ensure you meet all the essential requirements for the role.
We may use this recruitment to create a Talent Pool for similar ongoing or temporary vacancies we have over the next 18 months.
Apply Now!
Closing Date: Sunday 12/07/2026 at 11.59pm
Your application is an opportunity to showcase why you’re a strong fit for this role. We encourage you to highlight your relevant skills, experience, and achievements.
Please submit a current resume (maximum 5 pages).
We’re here to help
Legal Aid NSW is committed to a recruitment process that is inclusive and barrier free.
For accessibility support or recruitment adjustments, please contact
The Senior Recruitment Officer – Kriselle leggett on
[email protected]
For information on Recruitment and Workplace Adjustments, visit Adjustments for individual needs | I Work for NSW.
For more information about the recruitment process and working at Legal Aid NSW view our Candidate Information Pack.
For role specific enquiries, contact Zoran Regan-Vieira on
[email protected]
For recruitment enquiries, contact the Talent Acquisition Team on 02 9134 9347 or via
[email protected].
Aboriginal candidates are encouraged to connect with the Legal Aid NSW Aboriginal Services Branch for a yarn.
For guidance on preparing for interviews , explore the NSW Public Sector’s interactive Capability Application Tool.
Connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.
We look forward to receiving your application!
