Industrial Relations Director

Civitastalent ·www.civitastalent.com

Location Sydney, NSW, AU
Type Full time
Level Director
Source Shazamme
Marketing HR & People
Apply direct

Workplace Relations Director – Sydney

Location: Sydney, Australia

Industry: ASX listed, blue chip organisation

Search managed by a specialist HR executive search firm, Civitas Talent


About the Organisation


This is an opportunity to join a globally recognised brand that operates at scale, employing thousands of people across Australia, New Zealand, and international markets. The company is a leader in its industry, known for its innovation, strong customer focus, and people-first culture.

As the business continues to grow, governance, risk, compliance, and employee relations have become critical priorities. With increased regulatory scrutiny, evolving workplace laws, and a rise in complex employee escalations, the organisation is looking for a senior ER & IR leader to drive proactive strategy, resolve high-risk matters, and ensure best-in-class workplace relations practices.


The Role: Workplace Relations Director


Reporting directly to the Chief People Officer, this role will be responsible for setting and executing the workplace relations strategy across a complex, multi-site organisation. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in governance, risk, compliance, and employee relations, with the ability to lead both strategy and operational execution.


Key Responsibilities:


  • Lead the workplace relations strategy across a large, multi-site workforce
  • Oversee complex employee relations cases, escalations, and workplace disputes
  • Ensure compliance with Australian workplace laws and modern awards
  • Partner with senior HR and business leaders to drive best-practice governance and risk frameworks
  • Manage relationships with regulators, unions, legal teams, and external stakeholders
  • Provide strategic oversight on HR compliance audits, investigations, and risk management
  • Lead and develop a high-performing Workplace Relations & Compliance team


The Ideal Candidate


To be successful in this role, you will need to bring a combination of strategic HR, legal acumen, and hands-on ER expertise.

  • Proven experience in a senior Employee Relations, Workplace Relations, or Industrial Relations role within a complex organisation (Retail, FMCG, Services, or Enterprise business ideally)
  • Strong understanding of Australian workplace laws, modern awards, enterprise agreements, and Fair Work legislation
  • Experience managing high-profile disputes, escalations, and investigations in a unionised or multi-site environment
  • Ability to design and implement governance, risk, and compliance frameworks that align with business goals
  • Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence executive leadership, legal teams, and HR functions
  • A commercial mindset, with experience balancing risk and business outcomes


Why Join?


  • Executive-level role with direct impact on organisational strategy
  • Attractive package in an ASX listed brand
  • Hybrid working flexibility
  • Be part of a company investing heavily in HR, governance, and compliance excellence


This is a confidential executive search, and all applications will be handled with discretion.

For a confidential discussion, please reach out to our specialist HR executive search consultant, Shane O'Neill on 0420736144 or email shane@civitastalent.com


We are expecting a high volume of applications for this position and will endeavour to review each and every application in detail.


Frequently asked questions

Who is hiring for the Industrial Relations Director role?
Civitastalent is hiring for the Industrial Relations Director position, a Shazamme client. Apply directly on the employer's career site.
Where is the Industrial Relations Director job located?
The Industrial Relations Director role with Civitastalent is based in Sydney, NSW, AU.
Is the Industrial Relations Director role full-time or contract?
This is a full time position at Civitastalent.
What experience level is the Industrial Relations Director role?
The Industrial Relations Director position is aimed at director-level candidates.
How do I apply for the Industrial Relations Director role at Civitastalent?
Apply directly on Civitastalent's career page via the Apply button on this listing. ZammeJobs links straight through to the employer's ATS — no third-party form, no resume database.
Apply direct