Workplace Relations Lead NZ

About the Role
This newly created, standalone role is the senior workplace relations specialist for New Zealand, leading collective bargaining strategy and negotiations across multiple unions while acting as the trusted advisor on complex employment relations matters. Ideally based in Auckland but will also consider candidates  based in Hamilton, Wellington or Christchurch who are prepared to travel as required.

Your day-to-day will include:

• Leading collective bargaining as the primary employer representative, from strategy through to ratification
• Representing the organisation directly in negotiations with unions and employees
• Managing industrial action risk and related communications
• Identifying health and safety risks arising through bargaining
• Advising HR partners on complex ER matters

What You'll Bring
You must have personally led collective bargaining end-to-end as the primary employer representative, not simply supported, observed or acted as second-in-command. Ideally, you'll have gained this experience within a large, unionised environment such as transport, logistics, manufacturing or other operationally complex organisations.

A tertiary qualification in Law, HR, Industrial Relations or similar is preferred.

You're also someone who:

• Builds trust and credibility with unions, employees and leaders
• Weighs commercial impact against fairness in every bargaining position
• Notices subtle details others might miss
• Operates with confidence and autonomy, making sound decisions in complex and high-pressure environments
• Sound working knowledge of NZ employment legislation
• Is flexible to travel to negotiate with unions across New Zealan

Why Join Us

• Competitive salary package reflective of the experience and expertise required for this critical appointment.
• Business-critical role with direct influence on workplace relations strategy and outcomes across New Zealand.
• Reporting to the Head of Workplace Relations ANZ, you'll be part of a specialist trans-Tasman workplace relations team while retaining full ownership of the New Zealand portfolio.
• Enjoy the autonomy of a standalone specialist role, with genuine scope to influence bargaining strategy, lead key negotiations and shape workplace relations outcomes from day one.
• Hybrid working and genuine flexibility recognising travel and negotiation commitments.
• Award-winning organisation and Employer of Choice within its sector.
• Large-scale, complex environment offering challenge, autonomy and variety every day.

To be successful in this role, you must have experience leading collective bargaining within a New Zealand unionised environment and possess a sound working knowledge of New Zealand employment legislation. Overseas applicants without this experience will not be considered.
We believe diversity is vital to a healthy, high-performing workplace. That’s why we’re committed to delivering a psychologically safe recruitment experience. One that uncovers and celebrates your strengths. If traditional hiring processes don’t bring out your best let us know. We want you to shine, not shy away.
  
Next Steps
  
Apply now - you'll need to hold New Zealand citizenship, residency, or a valid work visa.

If this role isn’t a perfect match, we still encourage you to apply or register your details on our website. If this isn’t quite the right fit, another role might be.

This ad may have been written with help from AI, but your application will be reviewed by a real human, Sarah:
  
Sarah is the HR Recruiter of the Year 2025 because she genuinely enjoys helping candidates to build their career whilst mutually assisting hiring managers to build capability in their teams. 
  
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