Principal Employee Relations Advisor

About the Department of Education
The Department of Education are dedicated to building an inclusive and diverse workforce that reflects the community and schools we support by treating everyone with respect and dignity. This starts recruitment and selection. The methods of assessing suitability in the recruitment process may vary. This includes making reasonable adjustments to support applicants at all stages of the process and employee lifecycle.
About the Role
As the Principal Employee Relations Advisor, your role requires a passion for interpreting legislation and industrial instruments, paired with a talent for persuasive advocacy in the intense arenas of industrial tribunals and other dispute resolution platforms. You'll thrive in tackling challenges on your feet, leading changes, and addressing matters with statewide impact. Being the go-to expert for complex industrial issues is pivotal as you champion the department's interests in the realm of employee and industrial relations. This role within the Department of Education offers a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of one of Queensland's largest government agencies. It's a chance to make a significant impact in a high-profile Department, shaping the future of education and workplace relations across the state.
Your advocacy skills will shine as you navigate high-stakes and complex matters before the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission. Quick thinking and adept negotiation abilities will be essential in advocating tirelessly for the department's positions while ensuring alignment with legal requirements. You'll foster an environment of fairness and productivity through your efforts, shaping the trajectory of employee relations within the department. Furthermore, you will collaborate closely with unions, leveraging your diplomatic skills to foster constructive dialogue and reach mutually beneficial agreements.
You will play a pivotal role in developing, implementing, and evaluating departmental policies and procedures related to employee and industrial relations. Leading project teams or staff in initiatives, program reviews, and policy development will be part of your mandate, along with preparing correspondence and reports for senior officer approval.
Maintaining networks and liaising with clients, other agencies, unions, and external bodies to promote contemporary employee and industrial relations matters is essential.
About You
To be successful in this role, you must have a high level of professional expertise and experience in employee and industrial relations matters. You must possess exceptional communication and leadership skills, with the ability to provide authoritative advice to a range of stakeholders.
If you have a passion for creating fairer and stronger communities in Queensland and possess the required experience, skills, and competencies, we encourage you to apply.
People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disabilities, women, Aboriginal people, Torres Strait Islander people, and Australian South Sea Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.For a confidential discussion about this position, please contact Ashleigh McMillan, Client Partner at OnTalent on 07 3305 5800.
Please refer to the attached role description for any mandatory requirements for this position.
How to Apply
- Please attach a brief resume including contact details for 2 referees (referees should have an understanding of your relevant previous work history); and
- A 2-pg written statement in response to the attached role description.

We welcome all applicants to share any support needed to ensure our recruitment process is inclusive.
Applications remain current for 12 months from the closing date and may be considered for appointment to identical or similar vacancies within the Department.
Applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted.
When working in regulated employment an employee must have a current Working with Children Clearance (blue card) issued by Blue Card Services.
Salary rate shown is reflective of full-time (1.0 FTE).
The Department of Education is a family inclusive workplace. Click here to find out more about our Inclusion and Diversity strategies.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia License.