Employment Relations Manager

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

With more than 47,000 students and over 6,000 staff, Waipapa Taumata Rau is New Zealand's leading university and a globally connected organisation dedicated to advancing understanding, transforming lives and shaping futures.  

We have an exciting opening for an Employment Relations Manager /Legal Counsel to join our team. You will work within the supportive and well respected HR Advisory / Ranga Pūmanawa Tangata team, who provide a professional partnership with academic faculties and service divisions to enable the University to deliver on its people and culture priorities.

We are family-friendly, flexible and encourage a balance of on campus and remote working. You will be supported by a large team of specialist HR colleagues.

Reporting to the Associate Director - Advisory, the Employment Relations Manager & Legal Counsel leads the University’s ER strategy in support of the University’s vision and strategic plan, Taumata Teitei.  With a collaborative and engaging working style, you will manage the relationship with the unions and oversee all employment relations issues. Success will be measured through your ability to coach and influence senior stakeholders and build capability within HR to mitigate risk and achieve results.  Working strategically and operationally, you will provide legal expertise across all areas of employment relations. There will be one Employment Relations Specialist reporting into you.

This is a full-time, permanent opportunity. The full salary range for this role is $155,200 - $210,000 per annum. 

Any offer will be made within the advertised range and guided by fairness, consistency, and our commitment to pay equity. 

For more information, please see the position description

Qualifications

Nga Pūkenga Motuhake | Important Skills

The ideal candidate will hold a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), have extensive knowledge of relevant employment legislation and proven experience of working effectively with leaders, unions and staff on issues affecting a large complex organisation.   

Outstanding stakeholder management and strong analytical, conceptual and thinking skills are key requirements of the job as is a confident, proactive decision making style. The ideal candidate will be digitally savvy and take a coaching approach to building ER capability.

Additional information

What we offer | Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou

The University of Auckland is committed to providing an excellent working environment through:

• Flexible employment practices and a culture that supports work-life balance
• Career development programmes
• A competitive salary with five weeks’ annual leave and the option to buy an additional week, or cash in a week
• 6.75% superannuation scheme
• For more information please visit our Staff Benefits page.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

Applications should be submitted online, before the closing date of 1 October 2026

If you have any questions about this role, please contact Verity Collins – [email protected]

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive and equitable environment. For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQITakatāpui+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other equity issues go to www.equity.auckland.ac.nz

Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive and equitable environment.  For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQITakatāpui+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other equity issues go to www.equity.auckland.ac.nz

Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment.  For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQIATakatāpuiMVPFAFF+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other personal circumstances go to www.equity.auckland.ac.nz