About the role
You will provide trusted leadership across complex industrial and employee relations matters, ensuring positive and effective workplace outcomes in fast paced environment. With a strong focus on leadership effectiveness, organisational design and strategic people and culture initiatives, you’ll play a key role in driving outcomes that align with the City’s values and long-term strategic direction.

Work type: 12 month fixed-term contract
Classification: Band 8, $122,040 pa plus super

Key responsibilities include:

• Provide expert industrial relations, employee relations, and strategic people advice to stakeholders, ensuring alignment with the Business Plan, City objectives, legislation, and policy requirements.
• Partner strategically with Executive Directors and Senior Leaders to deliver expert guidance across all areas of people, culture, and organisational effectiveness.
• Offer high-level advice and solutions on complex workforce challenges, including organisational design and change, industrial and employee relations, workforce planning, performance, and talent management.
• Conduct in-depth research and analysis on industrial, employee relations, and broader people matters to deliver practical, evidence-based solutions that drive positive outcomes for key stakeholders.
• Champion innovation and continuous improvement within the department, fostering a culture that embraces best practice and delivers exceptional outcomes for both customers and the community.
• Monitor, report, and utilise accurate data to track work progress and improvements against plans and budgets.
• Implement systems, processes, and workflows to deliver results, ensuring relevant policies, governance mechanisms, and regulations are adhered to.

About you
To be successful in this role, you will have a tertiary qualification in relevant Human Resources/ Industrial Relations and or significant professional experience in Human Resources/ Industrial Relations in a comparable organisation. 

Essential Experience:

• In-depth knowledge of relevant legislation, policies, and best practices relating to Human Resources and Industrial Relations.
• Proven ability to build relationships, influence, and collaborate effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated understanding and application of a contemporary Business Partnering model, supporting activities such as coaching, workforce planning, and change management.
• Exempary written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders and gain support for key initiatives.
• Strong problem-solving and stakeholder management skills, with a focus on fostering collaboration and productive partnerships.
• Experience in designing and implementing HR strategies that meet both strategic and operational organisational needs.
• Proven ability to work independently, analyse complex and sometimes conflicting information, and deliver effective, evidence-based solutions.
• Competent at managing competing priorities and achieving results in a fast-paced, politically aware, and dynamic environment.

Preferred candidates will be required to undergo a National Police Check and a Working with Children's Check as part of the recruitment process (funded by the City).

If this sounds like the role for you, then click apply now! 

Child Safety Responsibilities   
We are committed to being a child-safe organisation and have zero-tolerance for child abuse. We have specific policies, procedures, and mandatory training in place to support employees, volunteers, and contractors to achieve and adhere to these commitments. Please read our Child Safe Standards Management Policy.  

Diversity and Inclusion  
At the City we want a workforce that reflects the community we live in. We welcome and embrace everyone, all people with their own unique experiences, and support and encourage all our employees to do their best work, have equal access to opportunities and a just working environment. For this reason, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from First Nations people, people with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, from the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disability and people of all genders, ages and diverse experience.  

We are the City
From parks to offices, childcare centres to works depots, leisure facilities to the Wool Museum and waterfront, our team plays a vital role in shaping our vibrant and growing community. Our community counts on us to get the essentials right while looking for ways to go beyond. By listening, collaborating, and focusing on sustainability, we strive to do the basics brilliantly and create a lasting impact. If you’re ready to be part of something bigger, join us in shaping the future of Geelong.

We support accessibility and encourage discussions about any adjustments or support you may need during the recruitment process.

Applications and Enquiries

Click the Position Description link to view more information about this position.

Enquiries: Nikki Short | Senior Talent Acquisition Partner Nikki.Short@geelongcity.vic.gov.au

Click the Apply button to submit your application or find out more about this opportunity. If we can assist you with any reasonable adjustments in order to submit your application for this role, please contact the Talent Acquisition team via email at careers@geelongcity.vic.gov.au noting your preferred method of communication and contact details and a member of the team will be in touch.

We collect demographic data to help us learn who our advertisements are reaching and how we can reach an even more diverse audience.  We are committed to building a more diverse team. Your responses to our demographic questions are strictly confidential and will not be individually shared.

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