Employee Relations Manager

At Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools Ltd (MACS) we envision every student to be inspired and enabled to flourish and enrich the world. MACS is the largest Catholic school system in Australia. We own, govern and operate approximately 300 Catholic schools, employ over 17,000 staff and serve more than 118,000 students and their families in the Archdiocese of Melbourne. It is an exciting time to join MACS, where we are transforming to bring to life our recently launched strategic plan: MACS 2030: Forming Lives to Enrich the World.

It is an exciting time to join MACS, where we are transforming to bring to life our strategic plan - MACS 2030: Forming Lives to Enrich the World that will help all MACS staff come together to make the most of what a Catholic education has to offer so that we have the greatest and most distinctive impact in our classrooms, staffrooms and schools communities. More details on the MACS strategy can be found here.

WHY WORK FOR US?

• Professional development opportunities with a defined personalised annual budget.
• Access to flexible working arrangements, which include working from home arrangements.
• You will work in a tight-knit, supportive team to ensure you succeed in your role.
• Employee Assistant Program (EAP) supported by Mental Health First Aiders in the workplace, providing a safe and caring environment to our staff and students.

The MACS Code of Conduct (the Code) embodies our collective commitment to fostering a positive and supporting work environment that prioritises the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone, inspired by our Catholic faith. We ask that all staff read and understand the Code and model the behaviours that are expected of us.

YOUR ROLE

The Manager, Employee Relations is a key leadership role responsible for providing strategic employee relations advice and support to principals and schools within MACS. Reporting to the General Manager, Employee Relations, this role oversees a team of Advisors and ensures compliance with legislative and enterprise agreement obligations. The Manager will lead the development and implementation of school improvement initiatives, manage industrial disputation, support policy development, and provide guidance on employment matters, including contracts, salaries, and workplace concerns. Additionally, this role plays a crucial part in delivering training and advisory services to school leaders to foster a positive and compliant workplace environment.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Lead and coach the Employee Relations team, ensuring effective people management and capability building to deliver high-quality service.
• Provide expert advice on complex employee relations matters, including enterprise agreements, legislative requirements, and workplace concerns.
• Build strong relationships with schools and stakeholders, offering strategic guidance and ensuring effective consultation.
• Represent MACS in external forums, including industrial tribunals, negotiations, and sector groups.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, contributing to policy development, strategic decision-making, and enhanced service delivery.

ABOUT YOU

• Expert knowledge of employment law and workplace relations legislation, with experience applying contemporary employee relations practices.
• Proven experience in policy development, with advanced writing skills and strong attention to detail.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to motivate, coach, and manage teams effectively.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence, build relationships, and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
• Significant experience in enterprise agreements, industrial relations negotiations, and working with unions.

HOW TO APPLY

Please refer to the position description for further details about the role and the Key Selection Criteria.

Click APPLY to submit your application. If you have any queries about this role, they can be directed to our HR team by email

You will need to provide:

1. An up-to-date Resume and
2. A cover letter addressing the Key Selection Criteria, limited to two pages.

Note: MACS is committed to the safety, wellbeing and protection of all children in our care. The successful candidate must hold or acquire, and maintain a Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) and/or Working with Children Check, and must be willing to obtain and maintain a National Criminal History Check.

Candidates must hold full Australian Working Rights, and provide evidence of this.