Workplace Relations Specialist

Job Description:

Better and fairer care.  Always.

St Vincent's has been a leader in Australia's health and aged care landscape for more than 165 years. Since our founders, the Sisters of Charity, opened our first hospital in 1857, our services and nearly 30,000 people have been behind some of Australia's most important medical breakthroughs. We are a microcosm of Australia’s health and aged care system and are uniquely positioned to lead and respond to our rapidly changing environment.

We are looking for a special kind of person - a St Vincent’s kind of person. Someone who puts excellence, compassion, connection and caring for other people at the heart of everything they do. 

Reporting directly to the Head of Workplace Relations, the Workplace Relations Specialist is a dynamic opportunity to influence and shape workplace relations within St Vincent’s. You will provide expert guidance on complex employment and industrial matters, assisting driving key industrial negotiations and empowering People & Culture Business Partners, senior managers, and leaders to confidently navigate employee and industrial relations. This role offers the challenge of developing and delivering impactful industrial agreements and flexible working arrangements, directly contributing to a high-performing and positive work environment while enhancing organisational efficiency.

This is a Permanent Full Time (open to 0.8 Part Time) opportunity and is based in our Melbourne Group Head Office on a hybrid working arrangement, working at least 2 days per week in the office.

Key responsibilities of the role:

• Assist in the negotiations and advocacy for St Vincent’s with the strategic employee and Industrial Relations strategy and framework.
• Collaborate effectively with your colleagues to deliver timely and effective Workplace Relations services throughout St Vincent’s.
• Develop, manage, and monitor workplace relations practices and participate in constructive industrial dealings with unions, associations, and professional bodies.
• Participate and coordinate industrial negotiations and enterprise agreement negotiations.
• Provide timely advice, coaching and support to Business Partners, senior managers, and leaders on workplace relations matters, including modern awards, Fair Work legislation and Policy interpretation.
• Assist with industrial negotiations, reviewing and implementing Enterprise Agreements and other applicable agreements or awards.
• Play a key role in developing and maintaining HR policies and procedures, ensuring they align with best practice and evolving industrial obligations.

Things that work for us:

• Proven experience in providing comprehensive workplace relations advice, including union relationship management and stakeholder communication.  
• Excellent written and verbal communication, strong interpersonal, negotiation, and influencing skills.
• Thorough understanding of the Fair Work Act, enterprise agreements, NES, and Awards.
• Ability to conduct legally sound investigations and maintain HR policies for compliance.
• Experience in Fair Work Commission representation, conducting legal investigations, and working in a unionized environment.
• A positive, flexible and collaborative working attitude, with experience working with cross-functional teams, promoting a safe and collaborative environment, and a focus on continuous growth and improvement.
• Tertiary qualifications in Human Resources Management, Industrial Relations, Employee Relations or related field.

Things that work for you:

• Ability to visibly see your impact on the business and its service
• Competitive salary packaging options
• Discounted private health insurance
• Employee Assistance Program for staff and their families
• Access to the Fitness Passport (FP)

Why become part of St Vincent’s Health Australia Because you’re like us, you believe in our vision that every person, whoever and wherever they are, is served with excellent and compassionate care, by a better and fairer health and aged care system. Better for all our people, who work tirelessly to provide the highest levels of care and quality of life for our patients and clients.

Reconciliation Action Plan As part of our Commitment to Reconciliation and Closing the Gap in employment related outcomes, we encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. For further information, visit http://www.svha.org.au/about-us/reconciliation

We celebrate diversity & inclusion and are committed to equal employment opportunity for everyone.

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all required pre-employment checks, including relevant immunisations.

Interested? Apply today and please note - we will be progressing applications throughout the advertising period.

Respectfully, no recruitment agencies.

Closing Date:

Reconciliation Action Plan:

At St Vincent's we acknowledge the importance of creating a work environment that is welcoming, safe, equitable and inclusive for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Employees. As part of our Commitment to Reconciliation and Closing the Gap in employment related outcomes, we encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

For further information, visit https://www.svha.org.au/about-us/reconciliation or get in contact at indigenouscareers@svha.org.au

View Reconciliation Action Plan

Code of Conduct:

View Code of Conduct