Deputy Director, Workplace Relations

About Our Client

The staff are an energetic, dedicated team of professionals and academics working together to provide Australia and the world with quality graduates and innovative research.

Job Description

• Strategic Advice: Deliver expert industrial relations (IR) and employee relations (ER) guidance to P&C Business Partners and University leaders. Manage complex IR/ER matters and workplace disputes while keeping abreast of legislative changes and compliance requirements
• Team Leadership: Lead and develop a team of IR/ER professionals, ensuring the provision of high-quality, responsive services across the University
• External Liaison and Case Management: Oversee complex case management issues, brief external legal providers as needed, and conduct thorough and fair workplace investigations
• Advisory Support: Provide high-level advice to the Chief People Officer on strategic people-related matters and support or lead submissions to Industrial Tribunals for issues such as unfair dismissals and discrimination complaints
• Enterprise Bargaining: Facilitate the enterprise bargaining process, from planning and negotiation to lodgement and implementation
• Workplace Relations and Compliance: Resolve individual workplace relations issues, support employment-related transactions, and ensure compliance with policies and major workplace changes
• Risk Management and Policy Oversight: Identify and address compliance and IR risk issues, ensuring that policies and procedures effectively manage employee-related matters
• Representation and Collaboration: Represent People & Culture on University Committees and working groups, and collaborate with P&C Business Partners and external providers to ensure high-quality advice and guidance
• Diversity and Inclusion: Promote and support inclusive policies and practices that reflect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and foster a diverse workforce

The Successful Applicant

Previous experience in the higher education sector is desirable.

• Tertiary qualifications in Law or Industrial Relations and extensive relevant experience

• Extensive experience in industrial or employee relations. This includes a proven track record of managing complex employee investigations, negotiating enterprise agreements, and resolving high stakes disputes
• Proven expertise and demonstrated success in overseeing and resolving intricate industrial matters, including experience with industrial tribunals and handling sensitive workplace issues
• Possess a thorough understanding of relevant employee relations and industrial relations legislation and regulatory frameworks
• An awareness of modern People and Culture management theories and practices, particularly within the higher education sector, is important. To ensure alignment of workplace relations strategies with broader organisational objectives
• Strong abilities in coaching, mentoring, and influencing are essential. Adept at advocating for fair practices, presenting complex information clearly, and writing detailed reports
• Proven analytical and problem-solving skills; demonstrated ability to analyse sensitive and complex issues, develop innovative solutions, and address problems in a timely and effective manner
• Capability to build and maintain strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders
• Motivated and resilient individual who thrives in a dynamic environment; committed to supporting the strategic objectives of People and Culture and contributing to the University's success

What's on Offer

Curtin University is committed to supporting their employees by offering generous employee benefits and promoting health and well being, flexible working, and personal development opportunities.

Curtin truly encourages their people and teams to achieve a balance between work and life outside of work. Their flexible ways of working are underpinned by family friendly policies including flexible working hours, 26 weeks of paid parental leave for primary caregivers and paid leave for partners and purchased leave arrangements.

In addition to providing a range of benefits and programs as conditions of employment for staff, they offer lifestyle and financial benefits; including essential services (banking, superannuation and health insurance) to nice-to-haves (shopping, travel and entertainment).