Industrial & Employee Relations Lead

Job Title

Industrial & Employee Relations Lead

Job Description Summary

This is an exciting opportunity to join our global business as an experienced Industrial Relations & Employee Relations (IR/ER) Lead and drive our workplace relations strategy across our ANZ business. You’ll shape IR/ER frameworks, policies and governance to support organisational goals, act as a trusted adviser to senior leaders, and lead complex ER matters end-to-end.

Job Description

What’s in it for You?

• This is a role with a genuine opportunity to help shape the strategic agenda for the ANZ business while we continue transformation

• Working across a large and diverse business portfolio spanning from Blue collar to white collar to executive support

• Flexible work arrangements that support balance and autonomy.

• Be the trusted adviser for ANZ, influencing key decisions and guiding workplace relations strategy.

• Fast paced, varied and high impact work.

• Collaborate closely with a skilled and high performing HR team to broaden capability.

What You’ll Lead and Deliver

• Lead IR strategy, including union engagement, bargaining support, and dispute management.

• Manage ER cases involving performance, conduct, grievances, investigations, and complex interpersonal matters.

• Develop and maintain ER/IR frameworks, playbooks, templates, and governance standards.

• Deliver insights and report on ER/IR trends, risks, and hotspots to HR and business leaders.

• Partner with Legal, Risk, People Services, HRBPs and senior leaders to ensure aligned decision-making.

• Support organisational change, restructurings, redundancies and workforce transition activities.

What You Bring

• Extensive experience managing complex IR/ER casework across Australia and New Zealand.

• Strong working knowledge of Australian workplace relations legislation (NZ preferred but not essential) , modern awards and overseeing industrial disputes

• Proven success leading enterprise bargaining negotiations end to end

• Ability to coach and influence senior leaders with sound judgement.

• High-standard written communication and documentation skills.

• Degree qualified in HR, Law, Industrial Relations or related field with 8+ years’ experience.

• Open to candidates anywhere in Australia or New Zealand (including Auckland)

About Cushman & Wakefield

At Cushman & Wakefield, we don’t settle for better—we strive for exceptional. Combining deep expertise in Australia and global insights, we deliver innovative real estate solutions for tenants and investors. We provide a flexible and agile work environment, promote career progression, and support continuous learning and development.

 

 

 

As an equal opportunity employer, Cushman & Wakefield encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and female candidates to apply. Cushman & Wakefield promotes safety at all times.

INCO: “Cushman & Wakefield”