Industrial Relations Officer

• Full-time

Job Description

• Full-time, Fixed-Term position at HEW 8 until [December 2028].
• Hawkesbury campus with flexible working arrangements.
• Salary: $116,636 – $129,479 per annum, plus 17% Super and Leave Loading.

Lead expert industrial relations advice that supports fair, consistent and compliant employment practices.

The Opportunity

As the Industrial Relations Officer, you will play a central role in supporting the University’s commitment to fair, equitable and compliant employment practices. Working within the Pay Confidence Program in the Division of the Chief Operating Officer, you will use your expertise to interpret legislation, advise on enterprise agreements, and resolve complex workplace matters. Your work will directly influence organisational capability, risk management, and workforce stability.

You will partner with leaders, union representatives and specialist teams to negotiate outcomes, mitigate risk and embed consistent practices. This includes preparing submissions, analysing industrial instruments, identifying emerging issues, and advising on legislative changes that affect the University’s employment framework.

In this role, you will contribute to building constructive relationships across diverse stakeholder groups. You will support the Senior Project Manager, Remediation and Mitigation, and collaborate closely with the Office of General Counsel, People teams and external bodies to achieve informed, sustainable and evidence-based decisions.

What Success Looks Like:

• Provide accurate, timely and strategic industrial relations advice aligned to legislation and enterprise agreements.
• Resolve complex workplace issues through negotiation, mediation and constructive stakeholder engagement.
• Prepare high quality reports, submissions and documentation for internal and external governance.
• Identify risks by analysing data, agreements and emerging legislative changes, and recommend practical solutions.
• Build trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support collaborative problem-solving.

Please refer to the Position Description for full details.

About You

• Extensive experience in industrial relations with strong knowledge of employment legislation and enterprise agreements.
• Demonstrated negotiation, conflict resolution and stakeholder engagement capability.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret complex employment data and instruments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience preparing detailed reports and submissions.
• Ability to maintain accuracy, credibility and confidentiality in high pressure and sensitive environments.

Benefits

We invest in the people who make our mission possible. Beyond a rewarding career, we offer a suite of benefits designed to support your physical, financial, and family wellbeing:

• Fitness Passport: Access hundreds of gyms and pools across the state.
• Onsite Childcare: Convenient facilities with exclusive staff discounts and salary packaging options.
• Financial Benefits: Salary sacrifice options for onsite parking and novated motor vehicle leasing,
• Holistic Support: Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP) along with discounted retail and private health cover.

Application Details

• Position Enquiries: Direct to Scott Granelli, Program Director, Pay Confidence via scott.granelli@westernsydney.edu.au. Please include the job reference code REF943C. 
• Closing Date: 11:59pm, Monday 2 March 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.

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 reasonable.adjustments@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.