Lead Workplace Relations Partner

• Full-time, Ongoing position at HEW Level 9.
• Hawkesbury and Parramatta campus with flexible working arrangements.
• Salary: $137,681 – $147,032 per annum, plus 17% Super and Leave Loading.

Lead complex workplace relations matters, enterprise bargaining and industrial negotiations across a large and diverse university.

The Opportunity
Workplace relations is at the heart of how we support our people and deliver on our strategic ambitions. This is an opportunity to take on a highly influential workplace relations role. As Lead Workplace Relations Partner, you will be the trusted specialist adviser on complex employee and industrial relations matters, partnering with leaders across the organisation to navigate sensitive issues, manage risk and achieve fair and practical outcomes.

You will play a central role in enterprise bargaining, industrial negotiations and union engagement, representing the University's interests while building productive working relationships with employee representatives. From managing complex grievances, misconduct matters and workplace disputes through to facilitating mediations and resolving escalated employee relations issues, you will help shape outcomes that support both our people and the University.

Working closely with senior leaders, legal stakeholders and external bodies, you will lead workplace investigations, provide expert advice on employment legislation and enterprise agreements, and represent the University in industrial proceedings, including matters before the Fair Work Commission. This role offers the opportunity to apply your workplace relations expertise across a broad range of challenging and high-impact matters in a dynamic and complex environment.

What Success Looks Like:

• Deliver trusted and commercially sound advice on complex workplace and industrial relations matters.
• Successfully represent and support the University in enterprise bargaining, negotiations and industrial proceedings.
• Resolve escalated employee relations matters, disputes and grievances through effective mediation and stakeholder engagement.
• Conduct workplace investigations that uphold procedural fairness and meet legislative and organisational requirements.
• Strengthen leader capability through expert coaching, guidance and workplace relations support.

Please refer to the Position Description for full details.

About You

• Relevant qualifications in Employment Relations, Human Resources, Law, Industrial Relations or a related discipline.
• Significant experience managing complex workplace and industrial relations matters within a large and complex organisation.
• Strong knowledge of Australian employment legislation, enterprise agreements and industrial instruments.
• Demonstrated ability to influence, coach and partner with senior leaders to achieve positive workplace relations outcomes.
• Well-developed investigation, negotiation, mediation, conflict resolution and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven experience representing organisational interests in complex industrial relations matters, including enterprise bargaining, union engagement, dispute resolution processes and proceedings before the Fair Work Commission.

Benefits
We invest in the people who make our mission possible. Alongside a rewarding career, we offer a range of benefits designed to support your financial, personal and family wellbeing.

• Financial benefits: Access to staff-only products and offers with selected banking partners, salary sacrifice options for onsite parking, and novated motor vehicle leasing.
• Health and wellbeing support: Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP), complimentary annual flu vaccination, eligibility for Fitness Passport membership, and access to discounted private health cover.
• Onsite childcare: Long day care and early learning services operate at our Campbelltown, Hawkesbury, Parramatta, and Penrith campuses. Staff may be eligible for discounted fees and salary packaging, with places subject to centre capacity.

Application Details

• Position Enquiries: Matthew Bond, Executive Director, Business Partnering and Workplace Relations via matthew.bond@westernsydney.edu.au. Please include the job reference code REF1565W.
• Closing Date: 11:59pm, Monday 20 July 2026.
• Working Rights: You must provide evidence of full-time working rights in Australia at application.
• How to Apply: Please note that only applications submitted via the University’s online recruitment system will be considered. As part of your online application, you will be asked to respond to screening questions addressing the key qualifications, experiences and skills required for this position.

Belonging at Western
We are committed to substantive equality as outlined in our Equal Opportunity Policy. We actively encourage applications from Indigenous Australians, candidates of all gender identities and expressions, people of all abilities, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

For Reasonable Adjustments during the application process, please contact talentacquisitionteam@westernsydney.edu.au.

About Western
This is your opportunity to be part of something bigger. By joining Western Sydney University, you become a valued member of our community. As our region changes, so too does our university. Western is boldly different, energetic, global, diverse, dynamic, and youthful.

Our mission is to deliver student success, impactful research, and stronger communities. As part of our team, you will have a stake in shaping the future of education, broadening horizons, and changing lives. Making a difference starts at Western.

For the latest please visit our website and LinkedIn.