Employee Relations Lead

Band 8 - $130,399 - $146,125 per annum (plus super)
Permanent Full Time
About Us
Located 35km to the southeast of Melbourne, Greater Dandenong City Council covers 129 square kilometres and has a population of over 169,000 people. The central activities district is Melbourne's second largest retail and commercial centre and includes large shopping complexes at Dandenong and Keysborough as well as the highly popular Dandenong Market.

Greater Dandenong City Council is the most culturally diverse locality in Australia, with residents from over 150 different birthplaces, nearly two-thirds of whom were born overseas. Key industries include manufacturing, health care and social assistance, retail trade, wholesale trade and transport.

We are a progressive organisation of exceptional character that offers a dynamic and rewarding work environment to approximately 900 employees. We recognise that our staff are vital to the delivery of excellent service to our community and the achievement of our long-term vision. We invest in the development of our people, and we strive to be a workplace that is respectful, engaged, accountable, creative and honest.

About The Role
The People Safety and Culture Team partners with leaders and teams to strengthen capability and culture, making Greater Dandenong a great place for staff and the community.

The Employee Relations Lead will play a critical role in ensuring a fair and harmonious work culture by supporting the organisation with subject matter expertise across all elements of Workplace Relations, strong knowledge of contemporary practice and current legislative requirements.

This is a critical and high-priority role, focused on shaping and executing the Industrial Relations strategy. Over the coming year, the primary focus will be on collaborative enterprise bargaining and the subsequent implementation of the new enterprise agreement. Additionally, the focus will be on coaching and developing leaders and others within the People Safety and Cultureteam, across ER, IR and broader HR.

About You
To be successful in this role, you will have demonstrated knowledge and experience of the following:

• A minimum of 10 to 15 years' experience in a specialist employee relations role within a complex and large organisation.
• Substantial experience in complex case management and mentoring other PS&C team members in the management and resolution of various cases and the ability to identify trends and take proactive action.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills with
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships and work collaboratively across teams, with unions, legal representatives and networks.
• Extensive experience in the development and review of various policies and procedures.
• Proven experience in managing various change initiatives (including organisational restructures) by implementing and supporting these.
• Experience in the negotiation of Enterprise Agreements from initial strategy and preparation to negotiation, through to successful implementation.
• Relevant Tertiary Qualifications in either Employment Law, Human Resources Management or equivalent is required along with substantial relevant experience in complex organisations.
• Experience within various tribunals and the Fair Work Commission processes and ability to represent Council and/or in consult with Counsel.

Please ensure you address the key selection criteria outlined in the position description as part of your application.

You may be required to undertake practical testing, work preference profiling / psychometric testing, functional capacity assessment (physical) or aptitude testing.

The successful candidate will be asked to produce a valid Working with Children Check and will be asked to consent to a National Police Check (and where relevant an 'international criminal history check'), subject to the operation of spent conviction laws. Please note that people with criminal records are not automatically barred from applying for this position. Each application will be considered on its merits.

Benefits Of Working With Us
Council believes in providing an environment where staff thrive, both in the work they do and in how they learn and develop as people and professionals.

Our workplace has an inclusive and diverse culture which encourages innovation and supports your work and life balance. There are plenty of opportunities to learn, develop and grow your career within our expanding and diverse organisation.

Our benefits include

• Competitive salary
• Salary sacrifice childcare (where available)
• Flexible working options supported including hybrid work
• Access to learning & development programs including study assistance
• Reward & recognition programs
• Health initiatives
• Access to our support and wellbeing programs
• A vibrant social club

For more information about our benefits, please visit our careers page: Working with Us

Council will consider flexible working arrangements for all positions. We embrace our diverse community and encourage applications from everyone including people of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander background, people of diverse sexual orientation and gender, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people of varied age, ability, and faith. Council will give due consideration to any workplace adjustments to accommodate the needs of any prospective or existing staff member.
Council is commitment to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment and promoting cultural safety and wellbeing for children with zero tolerance for child abuse and harm.
To apply
To apply for this position please complete the online application form including:

• A brief cover letter
• Your resume
• Response to key selection criteria

You will be required to answer selection questions as part of the application process. The selection process also includes the requirement for reference checks

Position Description:
Employee Relations Lead – 453 KB

Applications close:
5 pm, Tuesday, 25 November 2025

Further information:
Rachael Bragg Chief People Officer(m or