Employee Relations Consultant

About The Team

The People and Culture Office is an integral part of the business strategy and decision-making process. We are a team of collaborative HR professionals, dedicated to strategic and operational programs and services that support both staff and organisational objectives.

As our next Employee Relations Consultant, you will be committed to fostering a positive workplace culture, offering expert ER and IR advice and support and ensuring compliance with employment laws and policies.

The Opportunity – Employee Relations Consultant 

We're excited to offer two full-time opportunities to join our dynamic People and Culture team as Employee Relations Consultants:

• 1 x ongoing, full-time position
• 1 x fixed-term, full-time position, to commence in Jan 2026 (12-month parental leave cover)

As an Employee Relations Consultant, you'll be a trusted advisor delivering operational, tactical, and specialist guidance across a broad spectrum of employee relations matters. You'll also contribute to enterprise bargaining and support key strategic projects.

Reporting to the Manager, Employee Relations, you'll provide expert advice on industrial relations, dispute resolution, and case management, helping to foster a positive and compliant workplace culture.

Your Key responsibilities will include –

• Provide expert advice and manage complex cases across performance, conduct, fitness for work, grievances, and investigations including investigations under the Gender-based violence code.
• Support enterprise bargaining and organisational change through consultation, negotiation, and policy development.
• Foster positive employee relations by ensuring compliance, building stakeholder relationships, and contributing to strategic ER initiatives.

Please refer to the Position Description for further details.

What We Offer You

• 1 x ongoing, full-time position
• 1 x fixed-term, full-time position, available from January month parental leave cover)
• A remuneration of HEW0808 $112K – $128K (pro rata) plus 17% employer superannuation contributions.   

You'll join a dynamic and talented team where diversity and innovation thrive. Our Silver-tier status in the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI), awarded in 2025, reflects our commitment to LGBTIQA+ inclusion, equity, and creating a safe, welcoming environment for all. We strive to be the university of choice for First Nations peoples, honouring Indigenous knowledge. Sustainability is central to our community and guided by clear, confident leadership, we are working toward an ambitious future with goals of net zero emissions and zero waste by 2030.

As well as the flexibility to maintain a work life balance, our staff enjoy a vibrant, natural campus with world-class facilities, along with a variety of benefits, including:

• Periodic salary increases between 1 Jan 2026 to 1 July 2026 totalling an 4% increase
• Flexible work arrangements
• Indigenous Language Allowance
• Salary packaging options – such as purchasing leave, gym membership, car parking permit
• Employee Assistance Program
• On-campus services and facilities, such as a Childcare Centre, Gym, Vet Hospital, and Chiropractic Clinic

For further information, check out our benefits and services page

Join us

Please apply online via the Apply Now button, along with submitting the following documents to support your application -

• A cover letter including a statement addressing the selection criteria (with reference to the Position Description)
• Your most recent resume (CV)

What you'll bring to the role:

• Relevant tertiary qualification in law, industrial relations, or employment relations.
• Extensive experience managing complex ER/IR matters in large or multifaceted environments.
• Strong knowledge of legislation, industrial instruments, and case law, with proven ability to apply them effectively.
• Skilled in enterprise bargaining, negotiation, conflict resolution, and strategic problem solving.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and time management skills in high-pressure settings.

Please note, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a criminal record check in accordance with the University's Employee Background Checks Procedure.

Applicants should refer to the Position Description for further details on the work requirements, duties, skills and experience required for this role. Applications sent by post or email will not be accepted.

Please note visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Applicants are expected to have current and valid work rights in Australia.  

Please see the Applicant Guide for more information. Applicants who have support or access requirements, are encouraged to advise this at the time of their application, to ensure appropriate assistance is provided throughout the recruitment process.

Contact Us

For enquiries about the opportunity on offer please reach out to Mitch Patterson, People and Culture Manager, Employee Relations, and quote JR104479 as the reference.

Applications Close on 30 October :59pm AWST)

The University reserves the right to withdraw this advertisement at any time.

Murdoch University acknowledges the different perspectives, skills and experience that people from different backgrounds bring to strengthen its workforce. Murdoch University is committed to enhancing diversity in all its forms and strongly encourages suitably qualified candidates from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, women, people with disability, people of CaLD background and people of diverse genders to apply for this important position.

Murdoch University values workplace diversity, promotes inclusion, and strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, women, and individuals with disability. Applicants who have support or access requirements, are encouraged to advise this at the time of their application, to ensure appropriate assistance is provided throughout the recruitment process.