Workplace Relations Lead - [Archived Advertisement]

Workplace Relations Lead

WorkSafe is Victoria's workplace health and safety regulator. We are also the workplace injury insurer. Our job is to reduce workplace harm and improve outcomes for injured workers. This is our promise to the Victorian community and the reason we exist.

• $140,270 per annum + superannuation
• Full Time, fixed term to 25 October 2024
• Geelong (Hybrid working model)

Purpose

The Workplace Relations Lead provides high level workplace relations support to the organisation and delivers key People and Culture projects that have a particular focus on change, compliance, remuneration and industrial relations implications. The role will also include working with employees and unions on embedding a new Enterprise Agreement.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice in relation to classification, remuneration and benefits for Executive Officer and Enterprise Agreement positions and employees.
• Provide oversight and direction in relation to remuneration and classification of Executive Officer and Enterprise Agreement positions, ensuring appropriate governance arrangements and controls are observed. Utilise data to highlight insights and opportunities to inform policy reform and tighter controls around practice.
• Support the management of WorkSafe's relationship with union partner (CPSU) on matters of consultation and disputation, and act as the primary point of contact with union representatives.
• Lead the implementation of major people-related projects, in particular those with a focus around compliance, employee relations and remuneration.
• Contribute to and support the planning and execution of activities associated with the development of the Enterprise Agreement.
• Develop and execute a project plan for the implementation of an enterprise agreement, including the classification and competency frameworks, and updated policies.
• Establish effective working groups to partner with unions to deliver and maintain work level descriptors and associated policies to support the classification framework.
• Prepare briefing papers and reports for Senior Managers and the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) relating to policy development, Victorian Public Sector initiatives impacting WorkSafe and strategic reform opportunities.
• Provide subject matter expertise in the review and assessment of organisation-wide projects and initiatives that have the potential to impact people policies, processes or practice ensuring they are adapted to meet WorkSafe's strategic objectives and compliance obligations.
• Provide technical expertise to P&C Business Partners and business leaders on internal policy, Industrial Relations, Employee Relations and VPS guidelines and policy considerations.
• Develop workplace policy and refine existing policy in accordance with business needs and ensuring appropriate consultation and engagement with key stakeholders.
• Develop, maintain and utilise relationships with key Government Agencies, including, Department of Treasury & Finance (DTF); Workforce Victoria and Victorian Public Sector Commission (VPSC).
• Work with the Workforce Shaping team, P&C Business Partners and relevant business representatives to inform consultation processes regarding organisation design and structural changes.
• Provide technical advice on the interpretation and application of WorkSafe's Enterprise Agreement, policies and procedures.
• Remain abreast of topical ER and IR issues and case law and support the development of HR Business Partners to improve awareness and education.

Please ensure you take a look at the Position Description here for additional information on accountabilities for this role.

About you

You will bring extensive experience in HR or ER with demonstrable experience in managing complex matters. You will also possess:

• Experience implementing policy reform and industrial changes in a unionised environment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated negotiation, advocacy and influencing skills
• Demonstrated presentation skills
• Understanding of human resources policy and procedure development
• Preferred public sector work experience and understanding of VPS frameworks
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple programs of work including the adoption of project plans, KPI's and timeframes
• Demonstrated understanding and application of Fair Work Act
• Demonstrated understanding and application of enterprise agreements
• Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Word; PowerPoint; Excel)
• A high level of knowledge and expertise in the systems and regulations governing the function, and of the industry and discipline
• Ability to apply your knowledge of research, analysis and project management techniques, wish a proactive attitude towards undertaking continuous professional development to stay up-to-date
• You will have experience in coaching and mentoring team members as well as communicating technical information to lay persons
• You will have the ability to work autonomously without guidance

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in human resources, workplace relations and/or significant experience in a similar role.

What's next?

Applications close at 11:00pm on Wednesday 18th October, 2023. Click the link to apply, and join us in making a difference to Victorian lives.

Only people with the right to work in Australia may apply for this position. You may be required to undergo a National Police Check (and/or Medical Assessment) as part of the recruitment process.

For further enquiries please contact Talent Acquisition Specialist, Natasha Zaluski via email natasha_zaluski@worksafe.vic.gov.au

Our future

WorkSafe's Strategy has our core purpose front of mind - reducing workplace harm and improving outcomes for injured workers. We don't shy away from the importance of our purpose to the Victorian community, that's why we have a stated ambition to be world leading.

We want Victoria to be the safest place to work in Australia and one of the safest in the world; and we aspire to be a world leader in return to work after a workplace injury.

Important Information

WorkSafe is committed to providing and maintaining a working environment which is safe and without risk to the health of its employees consistent with WorkSafe's obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OH&S Act).

Therefore, all WorkSafe employees are required to have an up to date COVID-19 vaccination status, which is currently defined by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) as three vaccine doses, unless a valid medical exemption applies.

To meet our obligations under the OH&S Act, WorkSafe will request vaccination information or evidence of an exemption in the pre-employment stage.

Prior to commencement of employment with WorkSafe you will need to provide evidence that you are vaccinated against COVID-19 and have an up to date vaccination status, or that a medical exemption applies.