Head of Employment Relations, Conduct & Complaints

Head of Employment Relations, Conduct & Complaints

Job no: 526696

Work type: full time

Location: Sydney, NSW

Categories: Human Resources & Recruitment

Employment Type: Full time, continuing

Remuneration: Competitive total package

Location: Kensington, NSW (Hybrid work arrangement available)

About UNSW

UNSW isn’t like other places you’ve worked. Yes, we’re a large organisation with a diverse and talented community; a community doing extraordinary things. Together, we are driven to be thoughtful, practical, and purposeful in all we do. Taking this combined approach is what makes our work matter. If you want a career where you can thrive, be challenged and do meaningful work, you’re in the right place.

Why your Role Matters

As Head of Employment Relations, Conduct & Complaints you will lead this team in delivering expert advice and support to UNSW Management and HR on a diverse range of conduct and complaint matters. Bringing your practiced experience in case management and complaint handing to provide strategic and operational employee relations and industrial relations support across the University.

Reporting directly to the Director of Employee Relations, you’ll oversee a dedicated team of five direct reports who manage interesting and diverse cases, including industrial instrument and legislative interpretation, employee misconduct, termination of employment for conduct, and managing staff complaints and workplace investigations. Your focus will be:

• Leading the ER Conduct & Complaints team to provide accurate and timely guidance to UNSW stakeholders.


• Supervising the management and resolution of complex matters, providing end-to-end case management advice.


• Supporting HR Business Partners (HRBPs) and managers with case management processes to ensure objective and fair assessment.


• Contributing as a lead Subject Matter Expert (SME) to HR strategy, ensuring compliance with regulations and legislation, working collaboratively with the Conduct & Integrity Office.

Skills & Experience summary:

We’re looking for an experienced manager to work collaboratively with our HR team and bring a practiced approach to sensitive complaints and investigations handling in the ER space. You’ll lead a team who is passionate about being trusted advisors in the promotion of a culture of respect and integrity.

You will hold the following skills & experience:

• Substantial experience in case management and complaint handling, preferably in an employee relations context.


• Legal practice experience is highly regarded; however, this is not a legal role.


• Demonstrated extensive skills and experience in conducting investigations (developing investigation and risk plans, securing evidence, interviewing witnesses, and drawing objective and fair conclusions, preparing reports and maintain accurate records).


• Demonstrated ability to lead, support and develop a specialist team in a complex environment.


• Extensive experience providing employee relations advice, and complaint handling and case management support to senior leaders, line management, staff, human resources, and ideally dealing with employee unions.


• High level interpersonal and negotiations skills including ability to liaise effectively with diverse stakeholders, build relationships, interact effectively with a wide client base.


• Proven ability to communicate with stakeholders effectively, provide high level guidance and influence outcomes.


• Demonstrated ability to think and operate strategically in a HR context, with high level problem solving and analytical skills.


• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.


• Demonstrated superior sound judgment and an advanced level of emotional intelligence, especially in relation to dealing with highly sensitive, confidential, and potentially controversial matters with tact, sensitivity, and respect.

How to Apply:

To lead our team in delivering expert advice and support in employee relations, we invite you to submit your CV & cover letter detailing your interest and suitability for the job (as per the skills & experience bullet points in the job description) before 11:55pm, Sunday 13 October.

Please note: Sponsorship is not available for this role, valid Australian working rights are required on application.

UNSW Benefits and Culture:

People are at the core of everything we do. We recognise it is the contributions of our staff who make UNSW one of the best universities in Australia and the world. Our benefits include:

• Flexible Working Options (work from home, flexible hours etc)


• Additional 3 days leave during December festive period.


• Career development opportunities


• Up to 50% discount on UNSW courses


• Flexible 17% Superannuation contributions, additional leave-loading payments and salary sacrifice.


• Discounts and entitlements (retail, education, fitness passport)

Job queries contact:

Katherine Molloy, Talent Acquisition Consultant

E: katherine.molloy@unsw.edu.au (applications to the address cannot be accepted, please apply online)

UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff.

Position Description

Advertised: 23 Sep 2024 AUS Eastern Standard Time

Applications close: 13 Oct 2024 AUS Eastern Daylight Time