Employment Relations Manager

Who we are

At Tahua Group, we're proud to be home to some of New Zealand's most recognised retail, hospitality and health brands, including Burger King, Starbucks, Popeyes, Number One Shoes + Hannahs, The Outlet and Resonate Health.

Our People & Capability team partners with leaders across the Group to build high-performing teams and create great places to work. Guided by our values of Better, Manaakitanga and Whanaungatanga, we believe great people practices create great business outcomes.

Why you'll love this role

This newly created role is an exciting opportunity to become Tahua Group’s trusted Employment Relations expert.

Reporting to our Chief People & Capability Officer, and partnering with BP team, you'll help leaders navigate complex people matters with confidence, fairness and sound judgement.

You'll relish balancing legal expertise with commercial thinking, coaching leaders through complex, high-risk ER matters while strengthening Employment Relations capability across the business. Working in a fast-paced operational environment, you'll influence best practice, reduce organisational risk and help ensure our people practices remain practical, consistent and aligned with our values.

If you enjoy solving complex people challenges, influencing leaders and making a genuine organisational impact, this is a rare opportunity to establish a newly created specialist role where your expertise will shape the future of Employment Relations at Tahua.

You'll be responsible for:

• Providing expert advice, leadership and sound judgement on complex Employment Relations matters across the Group.
• Leading high-risk investigations, restructures, mediations and other complex employment matters, including leading collective bargaining where appropriate.
• Partnering with leaders and People Business Partners to build Employment Relations capability and confidence.
• Developing policies, frameworks and practical guidance that strengthen consistency and minimise organisational risk.
• Identifying trends and opportunities to continuously improve Employment Relations practices across Tahua Group.

What you'll bring

Pragmatic, approachable and commercially minded, you'll be an experienced Employment Relations professional who enjoys solving complex people challenges and helping leaders make confident decisions. You'll also bring:

• Extensive Employment Relations experience (8+ years), ideally within large, fast-paced operational environments.
• A current practicing certificate, with the ability to practise as an employment lawyer in New Zealand.
• Deep knowledge of New Zealand employment law, investigations, mediation and dispute resolution.
• Strong commercial judgement and the ability to balance legal risk with practical business outcomes.
• Exceptional influencing, coaching and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience building leader capability and guiding others through complex people matters.
• A collaborative, pragmatic approach and genuine passion for developing best practice.
• Curiosity about technology and AI, and how they can support better People & Capability outcomes.

What we offer

• Wellbeing & Leave Benefits – We offer Life and Trauma insurance, enhanced parental leave, your birthday off and long service recognition.
• Stunning Takapuna office with beach views, an onsite Starbucks café and free parking
• The Tahua Family Discount provides exceptional discounts across Burger King, Starbucks, Popeyes, Number One Shoes, Hannahs, and Resonate Health.

If you're looking for a role where you can combine legal expertise, commercial thinking and coaching to make a lasting impact, we'd love to hear from you. We’re open to applicants who may be seeking a part time opportunity.