Team Manager Business Partnering Employee Relations

Team Manager Business Partnering Employee Relations — Townsville City Council. This pivotal leadership role leads the development and execution of employee relations and industrial relations strategies to foster a positive, productive, and compliant workplace across our diverse local government workforce.

• Lead the development and execution of employee relations and industrial relations strategies; manage complex employee relations matters, organisational change and design, employee engagement and culture initiatives, workforce performance and conduct programs, consultative committees and the enterprise bargaining cycle; apply regulatory knowledge to interpret and provide expert advice on legislation, policy and guidelines.
• Lead collective bargaining negotiations and build ER/IR capability within the team.
• Shape and implement Townsville City Council's people strategy, co-design services, and embed a whole-of-Council approach to integrated service delivery.
• Oversee investigations and disciplinary processes; manage internal and external stakeholder engagement with unions and other bodies.
• Drive innovation in human resource management and workforce planning; develop strategic policies that promote workforce engagement and inclusion through collaborative partnerships.
• Balance innovation with practicality to ensure policies and frameworks support business goals and drive meaningful change across the organisation.

• Established Employee Relations professional with a record of developing and coaching team capability and performance in a complex, unionised environment.
• Strategic thinker with strong business acumen; analytical, negotiation and communication skills.
• Sound risk management across people, legal, financial, industrial, safety and wellbeing domains; superior conflict and dispute resolution skills; experience representing an organisation in industrial tribunals or regulatory forums.
• Ability to navigate fast-paced, multidisciplinary environments as a change agent, balancing innovation with practicality and engaging stakeholders transparently.
• Deep understanding of HR operations, employment legislation, awards and enterprise agreements; experience resolving sensitive matters and negotiating productive outcomes with unions and stakeholders.
• Experience developing leadership capability strategies and driving diversity, inclusion and performance across the Council.

Your application can be submitted through the Apply button. Please include a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how your skills, qualifications and experience would allow you to achieve success in this role. Include your resume and copies of any licences and qualifications as per the key requirements of the role.

• 4 weeks annual leave
• 10 days Personal/Carers Leave
• 14 weeks paid Parental Leave
• Domestic and Family Violence Leave
• Natural Disaster Leave
• Long Service Leave available pro rata after seven years
• Salary Sacrifice opportunities
• Learning and Development opportunities
• Fitness Passport program offering discounted membership to selected gym, pool, and yoga facilities
• Employee Loyalty Program offering discounts at selected local businesses
• Employee Assistance Program
• The Council contribution to employees\' superannuation: 13.5% of ordinary time earnings, subject to the employee contributing a minimum of 6%

We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive workplace where diverse styles, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued. People from diverse backgrounds (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with diverse gender identities and sexualities, people from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds, people with disability, and veterans) are encouraged to apply.

All successful candidates are required to undergo drug and alcohol testing as part of the recruitment process. Townsville City Council has a zero tolerance policy to drugs and alcohol in the workplace.

If you need adjustments to the recruitment process or have accessibility requirements, please contact or for a confidential discussion.

Closing Date: 11.45pm, Sunday 7 September 2025.

Attachments: Team Manager Business Partnering Employee