Description

The successful candidate will lead enterprise agreement negotiations, manage industrial relations matters including litigation and disputes, and provide strategic ER advice during organisational change. They will work with operational and technical teams on critical IR issues, oversee complex employee relations cases, develop and embed ER/IR frameworks, and mentor ER/IR professionals across Oceania. They will also provide high‑level ER advice on performance, conduct, investigations, disciplinary processes, terminations and disputes, support senior leaders in managing industrial disputes, advise on industrial action, ensure compliance with enterprise agreements, and conduct investigations into bullying, harassment and discrimination.

Additional responsibilities include supporting enterprise agreement negotiations, preparing documentation and communications, assisting leaders with implementation, coordinating bargaining and industrial campaigns, monitoring industrial action, and reporting on trends. The role requires monitoring legislative developments, contributing to policy and framework improvement, coaching HR and business stakeholders, and delivering insights on ER/IR risks and emerging issues.

• Lead and oversee end‑to‑end enterprise agreement negotiations, ensuring compliance and alignment with business objectives.
• Manage industrial relations matters, including litigation, disputes, industrial action, and engagement with external bodies.
• Provide strategic ER advice and support to senior leaders during organisational change and business transformation.
• Collaborate with operational and technical teams on complex industrial relations issues and multi‑project consultations.
• Oversee employee relations issues such as policy development, investigations, and disciplinary processes.
• Develop and embed ER/IR frameworks reflecting legislative updates and promoting a positive workplace culture.
• Lead and mentor a team of ER/IR professionals across the Oceania region.
• Deliver high‑level ER advice on performance, conduct, investigations, disciplinary actions, terminations and disputes.
• Support senior leaders and HR in managing industrial disputes with analysis, risk assessment and recommendations.
• Advise on industrial action to ensure compliance with legislative requirements and internal governance.
• Ensure adherence to enterprise agreements and industrial instruments across business units.
• Support complex consultation processes related to workplace change.
• Conduct or support investigations into bullying, harassment, discrimination and other sensitive matters.
• Assist in enterprise agreement negotiations, including preparation, drafting documentation and employee communications.
• Help site and functional leaders implement negotiated outcomes.
• Provide planning, coordination and administrative support during bargaining and industrial campaigns.
• Monitor, track and report on industrial action and bargaining activity.
• Monitor legislative developments, case law and external IR environment, translating impacts into practical business advice.
• Contribute to development, review and uplift of ER/IR policies, frameworks, tools and resources.
• Support capability uplift across HR and the business through coaching, guidance and informal training.
• Assist with reporting and insights on ER/IR trends, risks and emerging issues.

Requirements

DP World is seeking an experienced Senior Specialist – Employee & Industrial Relations to join the People team on a fixed‑term basis until September 2027, supporting the business through significant transformation, growth and optimisation. The role is a key member of the ER/IR team, providing high‑quality, pragmatic advice across complex employee and industrial relations matters in a highly unionised, operational environment. You’ll partner closely with senior leaders, HR and operational teams to deliver consistent, commercially sound and legally compliant ER/IR outcomes, while contributing to broader enterprise bargaining, compliance and continuous improvement initiatives.

Candidates must hold a qualification in HR, Industrial Relations, Employment Law or a related discipline (legal qualifications highly regarded), have strong knowledge of the Fair Work Act 2009, and at least five years’ experience providing ER/IR advice in complex, unionised, operational environments. Experience managing industrial disputes, supporting enterprise bargaining, representing matters before the Fair Work Commission, and excellent communication and stakeholder management skills are essential.

• Hold a qualification in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Employment Law or a related discipline (legal qualifications highly regarded).
• Possess strong working knowledge of the Fair Work Act 2009 and related employment legislation.
• Have 5+ years’ experience providing ER/IR advice in complex, unionised, operational environments.
• Demonstrated experience managing industrial disputes and supporting enterprise bargaining.
• Experience representing or supporting matters before the Fair Work Commission.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to distil complex legal issues into clear advice.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing capability across all business levels.
• Ability to balance legal risk with commercial and operational realities.

Benefits

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance