Woolworths

Workplace Relations Partner

• Be a thought leader and SME, creating elegant solutions across a range of matters 

• Join a large retailer, supporting blue collar through to corporate with strong diversity in scope of work

• Delivery and growth within role and career in this 24-month fixed-term role; based in Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney

We are Woolworths Group 

We are Woolworths Group. 200,000+ bright minds, passionate hearts and unique perspectives connected by a shared Purpose – ‘to create better experiences together for a better tomorrow.’ It’s that Purpose that fuels our ambition to explore new ideas, make brave commitments and innovate better ways to meet the food and everyday needs of more than 24 million customers every week. 

If you’re excited to turn today’s blue sky thinking into a better tomorrow for future generations, you’ll find yourself supported and enriched in a dynamic, inclusive and empowering workplace that reflects the diverse communities we serve. With a culture of genuine care, a flexible approach to work and opportunities across the group to grow your career and make a meaningful impact, the possibilities for what we can achieve together are endless.

What you'll do

As our Workplace Relations Partner, provide strategic guidance on complex workplace relations matters across the Woolworths Group. Your expertise will be crucial in ensuring a consistent approach that allows our businesses to prioritise our customers and teams. This role will see you advising on enterprise bargaining, employment compliance, and major workplace changes to proactively manage business and industrial risks.

• Across a variety of business functions, leading and manage the end-to-end enterprise bargaining processes (including planning, negotiating, lodgment and implementation) to ensure high-quality agreements that serve business objectives and fit with Woolworths values. 

• Advising, influencing, listening, coaching and supporting the business on a diverse range of matters relating to workforce compliance, employment conditions and other complex workplace relations matters.

• You will help design creative solutions to address risk issues. This includes identifying risks and opportunities within the organisation to make processes and systems more efficient, helping us manage future risks in a sustainable and collaborative way.

• Establishing strong working relationships with unions, employee representatives and key business stakeholders (locally and globally) to positively influence business decisions and enhance existing workforce processes and practices. 

• Being a subject matter expert on Woolworths Group enterprise agreements, competitor agreements and industry trends. 

• Supporting and assisting with cases and matters before the Fair Work Commission where required, including bargaining disputes and other industrial disputes.

What you'll bring

• You will have significant senior-level experience in workplace relations with a strong understanding of employment laws and employee relations issues

• You have negotiated multiple enterprise agreements (ideally covering a large workforce) and played a lead role in bargaining and execution

• You have a deep understanding of the Fair Work Act and Fair Work Commission practice and procedure

• You can balance legal/compliance issues with commercial business needs and practical implications

• You are a strong communicator, influencer and negotiator who can translate complex legal issues into straightforward language

• You show curiosity and inquisitiveness around the hows and whys 

What you’ll experience

• A global business with endless career possibilities around every corner and across every discipline – with valuable exposure to a vast and exciting business network.

• Access to Sonder.  Sonder provides free confidential 24/7 personalised financial, medical safety, psychological or physical support for team members and their families.

• A progressive and competitive leave policy that gives you more space for what matters to you.  

• Team discounts across our range of Woolworths Group brands you know and love and a robust rewards program that celebrates and incentivises purpose-driven work.

• Opportunity to Salary Sacrifice, enabling team members to purchase selected eligible items or services from pre-tax salary.  Can be used for novated leases, superannuation contributions, Qantas Club membership, computing devices etc.

Everyone belongs at Woolworths Group

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are key to realising our purpose of better together for a better tomorrow. We recognise the value our team’s diversity brings to our business, customers, and communities and that teams with diverse experiences and backgrounds enrich our group and are better able to innovate and solve problems. As one of the largest employers in Australia and New Zealand, we aim to create a truly inclusive workplace where everyone feels that they belong, can be their best selves, and reach their full potential.

We encourage all candidates to apply; please let us know in your application if we can support you with any adjustments in the hiring process.

See how we’re creating better experiences together, for a better tomorrow

Discover more opportunities with Woolworths Group