Industrial Relations Manager

Sydney Water is seeking a dynamic and experienced Workplace Relations Manager to lead and deliver strategic workplace relations initiatives as a trusted centre of excellence. In this pivotal role, you will provide expert advice and support to leaders across the organisation, on industrial instruments and employment law, to reach positive outcomes in a dynamic, high impact environment.

Please note: This role is internally titled Workplace Relations Manager.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead strategic workplace relations initiatives.
• Provide expert guidance on complex employee and industrial matters.
• Provide strategic leadership to a team of experienced Workplace Relations Specialists within your team.
• Involvement in Enterprise Agreement negotiations and Representation of Sydney Water at external forums such as the Fair Work Commission.
• Manage sensitive disciplinary and grievance cases, including investigations in a confidential and timely manner.
• Develop and maintain best-practice workplace relations policies, procedures, and templates.
• Collaborate with leaders, and the broader People & Culture team to identify and influence opportunities to continuously improve practices and interpretation, ensuring timely delivery of this centre of excellence service.
• Build strong, collaborative relationships with unions and external stakeholders.

About You:

• Extensive experience in workplace relations within a commercial setting, ideally around 10 years.
• Post graduate qualifications in Business, Human Resources, Law, or equivalent.
• Demonstrated experience leading a team, of industrial relations/workplace relations practitioners in a large, complex environment.
• Proven experience delivery of operational excellence, and experience developing fit for purpose solutions that work towards a culture of leader enablement.
• Experience in advocacy, negotiation and dispute resolution and in the preparation and presentation of cases at industrial tribunals.
• Strong knowledge of employment legislation, union engagement, and strategic industrial relations.
• Exceptional communication and conflict resolution skills, with a coaching mindset and stakeholder focus.
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and analytical thinking with a practical, outcomes-driven approach.

Application Process:

As part of your application, please submit a cover letter that includes responses to the following two (2) questions:

1. Describe a time when you successfully delivered operational excellence in a workplace relations context. In your response, please include:

The challenge or issue you were addressing.

• The fit-for-purpose solution you developed and implemented.
• How your approach enabled leaders and contributed to a positive workplace culture.
• Any measurable outcomes or improvements achieved

2. Provide an example where you acted as a centre of excellence in workplace relations and collaborated with leaders and People & Culture teams to identify and influence an opportunity for continuous improvement. In your response, please include:

• The continuous improvement opportunity you identified.
• How you influenced and coached the stakeholders through the change.
• The impact on service delivery or organisational outcomes.

Essential Requirements:

• You must be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident at the time of submitting your application to be considered for this role. 
• As part of the application process, you will be asked to undergo background checks which includes a criminal history check and a medical assessment either online or in person.   
• Flexibility to travel across Sydney Water sites as required. 

Closing Date: Friday, 7 November 2025 11:59pm AEST.

Please advise if you require any adjustments to actively participate in the application and recruitment process. Please contact Angela.Nguyen@sydneywater.com.au for any further information.

Dive into Our Great Benefits! 

Competitive Compensation: We’ll ensure that your skills and contributions are valued and rewarded appropriately. 

Hybrid Work Environment: We offer a hybrid work model that balances remote work and office collaboration, supporting our team's productivity and well-being. 

Continuous Professional Growth: We will invest in your career with leadership and development programs to propel your success. 

24/7 Wellbeing Support: Access for you and your family to free and confidential mental health and general health support through our EAP portal. 

Discounted Private Health Insurance: Unlock affordable access to top-tier health coverage with our discounted insurance plans. 

Family First: Prioritise your family with up to 18 weeks of fully paid parental leave and a generous childcare allowance. 

Fitness Passport: Achieve your physical fitness goals using our Fitness Passport, granting you access to a multitude of gyms and pools across NSW.  

Novated Leasing: Get in the driver's seat of your financial future with our novated lease options. 

Working at Sydney Water  

We welcome and encourage applications from diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTQIA+, people with disability, people with caring responsibilities, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and veterans.  

As part of the application process, Sydney Water will be collecting your personal information to assess your suitability for the role. We will also use your personal information to establish a Live Hire talent profile in our Talent Community.  

We look at our Talent Community first when new opportunities come up when you apply for a role. Your personal information will be collected in accordance with Live Hire’s Terms, Privacy Policy and Sydney Water’s Privacy Collection Statement – Job Application. Please note as part of the application process, you will be asked to undergo background checks which includes a criminal history check.   

Please see Job Profile for the role’s full accountabilities