Workplace Relations Lead

Company Description

Nine is Australia’s largest locally owned media company. Working at Nine, you’ll have access to a unique range of experiences and opportunities, helping drive the success of the country’s most trusted television, radio, digital and publishing brands. 

Our content reaches almost every Australian - meaning what we do has real impact. We bring people together, celebrate the big moments, and capture the everyday ones.

Some of our most beloved brands have been part of Australian life for generations, and others - new on the scene - have already found their place firmly in our lives. We’re evolving and we need people like you to bring new ideas, innovate and make your mark.

Job Description

As the Senior Workplace Relations Partner, you will play a pivotal role in helping to navigate Nine through structural transformation and industrial complexity. Reporting to the Head of Workplace Relations & Advisory, you will manage and operationalise industrial strategy and complex employee relations.

This is a unique opportunity to modernise operational IR frameworks, lead critical award governance, and coach the broader People & Culture team toward a proactive, compliance-driven future.
 

Day to day you will:

• Lead the operational IR response for major structural shifts and business model transformations to ensure seamless transitions
• Manage the strategic roadmap and operational preparation for Enterprise Agreement renewals, ensuring Nine is positioned for flexibility and compliance throughout the industrial cycle
• Act as a primary advocate for Nine in matters before the Fair Work Commission, leading the organisational response to complex claims and defining litigation strategy in partnership with Legal Counsel
• Lead comprehensive assurance reviews validating award alignment and ensure robust governance across remuneration and workforce management frameworks and systems
• Navigate and resolve legacy industrial issues, addressing data integrity gaps and minimal process governance in high-pressure award areas
• Partner with Payroll to execute technical remediation and rectification work resulting from compliance audits
• Establish group-wide consistency for consultation and redundancy events to ensure adherence to technical Award/EA requirements
• Support leaders and employees on escalated and complex ER/IR issues referred by Workplace Relations Partners or the IR Specialist
• Lead union engagement by acting as the primary interface for day-to-day union management and participate in our response to queries and claims across our varied workforce
• Build organisational capability through technical coaching of the Workplace Relations team and creating tools to upskill the wider People & Culture function in compliance

Qualifications

What You’ll Need

• Advanced IR/ER expertise interpreting complex Modern Awards and Enterprise Agreements
• Proven advocacy skills, including experience representing employers before the Fair Work Commission
• Strategic risk management ability to identify IR implications within large-scale business transformations
• Strong stakeholder influence to effectively interface with union officials, legal counsel, and senior leadership
• A mentorship mindset with the ability to design training and coach peers to elevate technical compliance capability
• Tertiary qualifications in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, or Employment Law, with a Law degree being highly desirable

Additional Information

How we work

At Nine, our flexible work options vary by role and team. Depending on the position, this may include flexible hours, hybrid work, or part-time arrangements. We welcome discussing your flexibility needs during the hiring process - just ask the Talent Acquisition team. 

Our employee benefits include:

• Access to 'Employee Exclusives' program - a way of getting closer to our incredible brands, offering unique experiences, behind-the-scenes access, and awesome perks.
• Digital newspaper subscription to our mastheads.

More info at Nine Careers.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:

We're committed to a safe, respectful and inclusive Nine. From day one, you'll be encouraged to bring your whole self to work and will be supported to perform at your best.

We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities, and of all ages, genders, nationalities, backgrounds and cultures as we recognise the importance and value of diverse perspectives. Should you require any adjustments to the recruitment process, please advise us when you apply.

Work rights: Please note to apply for this role you must already have the right to lawfully work and live in Australia.