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Senior Director - Industrial Relations

Contract Type

Contract

Location

Australian Capital Territory, Canberra

Industry

Human Resources and Personnel

Specialisation

Government

Salary

Up to AU$150 per hour + Super

Contact Name

Laurie Weeks

Contact Email

laurie@talenza.com.au

Date published

16-08-2026

Job Reference

BBBH22283

Description

Role: Senior Director - Industrial Relations
Hourly Rate: $150 + Super ($1100 + Super p/d)
Contract Length: Initial 6-months (likely extension)
Location: Canberra/WFH Flex

An outstanding opportunity exists for an accomplished Industrial Relations leader to take ownership of complex, high-impact industrial and employee relations matters within a large public sector environment.

Sitting within the People & Culture leadership team, this role will lead a small team of HR professionals while providing strategic industrial relations advice to senior executives. You will play a key role in shaping employment conditions, leading enterprise agreement activity and building productive relationships with unions, employees and senior stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

  • Leading the development and implementation of strategic industrial relations initiatives.
  • Managing the development, negotiation and implementation of enterprise agreements and other employment arrangements.
  • Providing high-level technical, policy and strategic advice on complex employee and industrial relations matters.
  • Advising senior executives on legislation, awards, enterprise agreements and employment conditions.
  • Leading consultation and negotiations with unions and employee representatives.
  • Developing strong relationships with executives, senior leaders and key external stakeholders.
  • Preparing complex briefs, executive correspondence and advice on industrial relations matters.
  • Representing the organisation in industrial relations forums as required.
  • Leading, mentoring and supporting a small team of HR and industrial relations professionals.

About You

  • Significant experience leading complex industrial and employee relations matters.
  • A proven track record managing enterprise or collective agreement negotiations and implementation.
  • Strong experience operating within a complex public sector environment.
  • Extensive experience as an industrial advocate and working directly with unions.
  • Strong knowledge of employment legislation, awards and enterprise agreements.
  • Exceptional negotiation, influencing and stakeholder management capability.
  • The confidence to provide clear, defensible advice to senior executives.
  • Strong written communication skills, including preparation of executive briefs and complex correspondence.
  • Demonstrated leadership experience and the ability to guide and develop teams.
  • The ability to navigate sensitive, high-profile and time-critical industrial matters.

Experience working within a large health, government or similarly complex workforce environment will be particularly valuable.

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