Director, Workplace Relations, Governance and Policy

• Exciting Opportunity for an experienced Director, Workplace Relations, Governance & Policy to join Swinburne University of Technology
• 12-month fixed term / full-time position at our vibrant Hawthorn campus
• Attractive Salary | 17% super | hybrid options available

About the Role

Are you a strategic leader with deep expertise in workplace relations and a passion for shaping impactful policies in a complex, people-focused environment? Swinburne University of Technology is seeking an exceptional individual to join our People and Culture Leadership Team as on a 12-month fixed term contract as the Director, Workplace Relations, Governance & Policy.

Reporting directly to the Chief People Officer, this pivotal role will lead the workplace relations function at Swinburne, driving forward innovative industrial strategies and governance frameworks that align with our university's strategic goals. You will oversee a team of workplace relations consultants, providing expert guidance on sensitive and complex matters, including enterprise bargaining, union relations, grievance resolution, and organisational change.

With a strong focus on collaboration and strategic influence, you will play a key role in ensuring Swinburne's people practices are fair, compliant, and future-ready. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the direction of workplace relations at a forward-thinking institution committed to people, progress, and purpose.

About You

To be suitable for this role you will need to have extensive experience and demonstrated ability in a medium to large sized organisation, in the key accountabilities below:

Significant workplace relations and governance capability including an understanding of employment law, awards, and agreements within a complex and large organisation.

• Extensive experience in leading enterprise bargaining negotiations and overseeing the implementation of industrial agreements, ensuring effective communication, stakeholder engagement and sustainable outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience in leading and managing teams of senior HR professionals to deliver high quality and best practice service that meets the needs of the business.
• Broad experience in leading change management, advising on complex performance and grievance management, and strategic human resource leadership.
• Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills, with a proven track record of successfully managing complex workplace relations issues and disputes.
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of the Australian industrial relations framework as well as the development, interpretation and application of human resources policies and procedures, awards, and industrial agreements.
• Proven capability in leading and overseeing compliance-related projects and initiatives, ensuring alignment with governance requirements, risk management frameworks and legislative obligations.

Qualifications

Relevant post graduate qualifications or equivalent and extensive professional experience in employee and industrial relations functions in large, complex organisations, which includes a sound knowledge of the legislative and regulatory requirements relating to workplace and industrial relations management.

About Swinburne University of Technology

Swinburne's strategy draws upon our understanding of future challenges. We choose to build Swinburne as the prototype of a new and different university – one that is truly of Technology, of Innovation and of Entrepreneurship. We are committed to a differentiated university proposition in education and research.

To Apply

Please submit your CV and cover letter addressing your suitability for this position.

To review the Position Description and to apply, please scroll down to the bottom of the page.

If you are viewing this advert from an external site, please click 'apply' and you will be redirected to Swinburne's Jobs website to access the Position Description at the bottom of the page.

Please Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children Check.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application, please contact the Swinburne Talent Acquisition Team on

Applications Close: Tuesday 9th September 2025 at 5pm.

Swinburne offers flexible working options contained in our leave and parenting/carer policies to support work-life balance.

What We Offer You

• Work your way with flexible working arrangements, including hybrid options and generous parental leave to support a balanced lifestyle.
• Exclusive staff discounts, including discounted Medibank health insurance, 50% off Swinburne courses and other partner offers
• Swinburne offers 17% super and salary packaging options, including car leasing and extra super contributions.

Want to learn more? Head over to our benefits page

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Swinburne has become a world-class university, driving social and economic impacts through science, technology, and innovation. As a dual-sector university, our vision is for people and technology to work together to build a better world.

Central to our vision is our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We pride ourselves on being an equal opportunity employer focused on attracting, retaining, and developing great talent. We work to remove barriers related to gender identity, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, and age.

We strongly encourage applicants from diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Our Moondani Toombadool Centre leads our Indigenous education and culture at Swinburne, guided by community wisdom and leadership.

We support applicants with disabilities. Adjustments can be requested at any time during the recruitment process. For Reasonable Adjustment requests, including accessible formats for the PD, application form or any other document, please contact at or call

Please note the above number and DCR email address are for disability or reasonable adjustments queries only. General enquires about the role can be sent to (general enquires will not be answered by phone).

Victoria's Commitment to Action: Improving international student employment outcomes

As a signatory to Victoria's Commitment to Action, Swinburne seeks to remove barriers to international graduate employment. We welcome and encourage applications from international graduates.

As a Circle Back Initiative Employer, we commit to responding to every applicant.