Workplace Relations Specialist

- Great salary with outstanding additional employment benefits and entitlements
- Full-time or part-time twelve (12) month opportunity
- Based at our Gold Coast or Northern Rivers campus with fully flexible options

Southern Cross University is a dynamic, ambitious institution focused on its purpose of changing lives through revolutionary learning and research with real impact. Our game changing Southern Cross Model brings a deeper learning experience, improving individual student outcomes, quality of life and a better way to learn. Our world-ranked research is driving positive impact for our communities, environment and economy.

Working at Southern Cross University combines a rare combination of being surrounded by ambitious students, dedicated colleagues and an environment of stunning natural beauty. We are leaders in our communities in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Coffs Harbour and the Gold Coast and pride ourselves on helping shape a better tomorrow.

Southern Cross University is seeking an experienced workplace relations practitioner to join our team. This is an opportunity to capitalise on your knowledge and experience to improve our workplace, foster a caring organisational culture, and help us build trust by doing what we say we will do. You will have the opportunity to join a bold Workplace Relations and P&C team, playing a key role in driving innovative and impactful initiatives within our institution.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide guidance on employment and industrial relations issues, advising HR Business Partners and University leaders.
• Interpret and advise on enterprise agreements, awards, employment laws, and employment contracts.
• Lead workplace investigations, coordinating with external experts for complex cases.
• Guide critical processes including performance management, misconduct, redundancy, and terminations.

About you

Our ideal candidate will bring a solid understanding of the Australian Workplace Relations System and case law, coupled with exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to foster positive relationships with unions and stakeholders. You will preferably hold a degree in law or a related field, along with a minimum of four years of experience in employment and industrial relations. Extensive workplace relations expertise will be considered in lieu of formal qualifications. Proficiency in interpreting and applying industrial instruments, such as enterprise agreements, awards, policies, procedures, and relevant legislation, is paramount.

The role requires high level reading and writing skills with meticulous attention to detail and strong analytical abilities. You should be able to demonstrate your experience conducting major change consultations, workplace investigations, and managing employee disciplinary and misconduct processes. Exceptional interpersonal and negotiation skills are essential to effectively engage with diverse stakeholders and provide strategic advice.

This could be a secondment for an Associate Lawyer seeking in-house experience, or an opportunity for a seasoned FWC Associate or HR Business Partner with extensive workplace relations experience.

Salary and benefits

Discover why were the leading employer in our region. Choose your new workplace amidst the tranquil rainforest of our Lismore campus, or day dream from our Coolangatta campus with views over Kirra Beach, or surrounded by the rolling hills and bushland at Coffs Harbour.

Why Southern Cross University?

• Exceptional Benefits: 17% superannuation, 17.5% leave loading, flexible work arrangements, and the regions best parental, personal, carer’s, long service, and special leave entitlements.
• Community: Engage in our vibrant campus community with exciting activities and health and wellbeing initiatives that promote a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle.
• Professional Growth: Access top-tier employee assistance programs and professional learning opportunities to further your career.

Find out more about working at SCU by visiting Why Work at SCU.

We are offering a parental leave fixed-term position for an initial twelve (12) month period.

This role provides for flexible options with even greater flexibility around location available for the right applicant.

The base salary for this position will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications, skills and experience.

Applicants must apply online and attach a CV and cover letter responding to the selection criteria within the position description by the closing date. Information to support you prepare your application is available on our website. If you experience difficulties applying online or need reasonable adjustments at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know by contacting [email protected].

Job applicants must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, Australian permanent resident or currently hold a visa with ongoing work rights in Australia. Employer visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Additional information is available in the position description or by contacting:

Name: Kristy Ansell, Manager, Recruitment

Phone: 0450 034 553

Email: k[email protected]

Closing Date: 11.30pm AEST, 7 July 2024

Shortlisting for this role will commence immediately. You are encouraged to apply promptly as applications may close earlier should a suitable candidate be identified.

Southern Cross University is committed to ensuring that the University reflects the rich diversity across the region in which the University’s campuses are located.

The University encourages applications from people of all ages, women, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people, people living with disabilities, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and people who openly identify as LGBTQI+.

We encourage applications from people with disability and will provide adjustments to the recruitment process upon request.

Use the position description link below to access further information about the selection criteria for this role. You will need to submit complete responses to the selection criteria with your application, including providing examples where relevant. Please prepare these and submit each response when prompted in your online application submission.