Senior Assistant Manager, Employee Relations

Join one of the region’s most respected universities and help shape fair and positive workplace practices. We are looking for an experienced Industrial Relations professional to manage Employee and Industrial Relations matters. You will review and implement policies, provide guidance to stakeholders, and handle workplace investigations—including whistleblowing cases—grievances, and disciplinary matters promptly and fairly. The role also involves supporting collective agreement negotiations and fostering strong relationships with the Union to maintain a harmonious work environment.

Responsibilities:

• Drive the employee relations strategy, including reviewing and formulating all related policies and processes to ensure that these are relevant to the workforce

• Investigate and resolve employee relations cases on matters such as grievances, conduct and performance management cases

• Partner HR Business Partners and line managers/internal stakeholders to gather facts of case and where required validate allegations raised based on facts gathered

• Assess the issue presented in each case and provide recommendations  on the next course of action; esnure that cases are investigated and closed within the timelines and standards set within the Disciplinary Framework

• Ensure proper documentation of investigative steps, findings and recommendations

• Provide guidance and recommendations to stakeholders on the handling of employee relation issues including but not limited to grievance cases, performance management, misconduct to mitigate risk to the University

• Advocate good Employee Relations practices through organising regular sharing sessions, develop new initiatives and projects that support People Managers in good ER practices. 

• Promote good industrial relations by working closely with union leaders, members and the management team to build an engaged workforce

• Represent the University’s interest in driving Collective Agreement negotiations with the trade union

• Ensure regular engagement with the Union to build strong working relationship and maintain an open communication channel

• Undertake the role of an advocate to partner the trade union on initiatives such as upskilling of employees.

• Undertake supervisory duties to 1 direct report; guide and provide guidance to him/her in resolving the complex cases 

Requirements:

• Degree in any discipline

• At least 8 - 10 years experience in investigation work and/or Employee Relations/Industrial Relations portfolio

• Strong knowledge in local employment legislation framework

• Demonstrated full understanding of disciplinary, grievance and performance management processes

• Strong interpersonal, collaboration and communication skills, with a proven ability to handle sensitive matters with tact and diplomacy and working collaboratively across multiple business lines with stakeholders and colleagues at all levels

• Highly resilient and can effectively prioritise and handle multiple assignments simultaneously

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Strong analytical and proven problem-solving skills and business acumen

• Comfortable navigating complex, highly matrixed organization

We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.