Head of Employee Relations

Sydney or Brisbane | National Employee & Industrial Relations Leadership 

Position overview 

Civeo is seeking an experienced Head of Employee Relations to provide national specialist leadership across employee relations (ER) and industrial relations (IR) for our Australian operations, sites and corporate functions. This is a senior role for an accomplished workplace relations professional who can combine deep IR capability with commercial judgement, strong governance and a practical, consultative approach. 

Based in Sydney or Brisbane, you will be a trusted subject matter expert to operational leaders, People Partners and P&C teams. You will help shape IR strategy and enterprise bargaining planning, advise on complex and high-risk ER matters, support commission and tribunal matters, strengthen governance frameworks and build capability across the business. 

Just as importantly, you will bring a personable and collaborative style. You will listen, understand the operational context and translate complex workplace relations requirements into clear, practical advice that leaders can act on confidently. 

Key responsibilities 

• Lead the national ER and IR advisory service, establishing consistent service standards, governance and risk management practices across Australian operations and corporate functions. 
• Provide senior specialist advice on complex ER matters including investigations, disciplinary processes, grievances, performance, workplace conduct, restructures, terminations and disputes. 
• Provide expert IR advice across enterprise agreements, modern awards, employment legislation, industrial instruments, union engagement and industrial disputes. 
• Contribute to IR strategy and lead or support enterprise bargaining planning, bargaining strategy, negotiations and consultation in partnership with authorised business leaders, People Partnering and Legal. 
• Advise on and support preparation for matters before relevant commissions, tribunals, courts and regulatory bodies, including coordinating internal or external legal support and representation where appropriate. 
• Develop and maintain ER/IR frameworks, policies, procedures, advisory tools, case management standards and escalation protocols that strengthen consistency, procedural fairness and risk control. 
• Use case data and workforce insights to identify recurring issues, emerging risks and preventative actions, and provide clear reporting to leadership and governance forums. 
• Partner closely with HR Business Partners/People Partners, operational leaders and P&C centres of excellence, providing specialist guidance while enabling leaders to retain accountability for people decisions. 
• Coach, educate and upskill leaders, HR Business Partners/People Partners and P&C teams so routine ER matters can be managed confidently and higher-risk issues are escalated early. 
• Build constructive working relationships with employees, unions and employee representatives through respectful, pragmatic consultation and engagement. 

Qualifications 

• Tertiary qualification in law, employee relations, industrial relations, human resources or a related discipline. 

Experience 

• Substantial senior-level ER/IR experience within a complex, multi-site or operational organisation. 
• Demonstrated experience managing complex and high-risk employee relations matters from assessment through to resolution. 
• Strong industrial relations background including enterprise bargaining, EBA planning, interpretation and application of industrial instruments, union engagement and industrial disputes. 
• Experience supporting, preparing for or appearing in matters before commissions, tribunals, courts or regulatory bodies. 
• Experience developing ER/IR strategies, governance frameworks, policies, advisory tools and case management standards. 
• Experience partnering with and leading HR Business Partners/People Partners and operational leaders in complex workplace matters. 
• Demonstrated experience coaching and educating leaders and HR/P&C practitioners to lift workplace relations capability. 

Skills 

• Deep knowledge of Australian employment and industrial relations frameworks and contemporary workplace relations practice. 
• High-level judgement across legal, employee, operational, reputational and commercial risk. 
• Excellent consultation, negotiation, influencing and conflict-resolution capability, with a calm and personable approach. 
• A strong listener who can understand different perspectives, build credibility and provide balanced, practical advice. 
• Ability to translate complex legal and industrial requirements into clear recommendations for operational and executive stakeholders. 
• Strong governance mindset with the capability to design practical frameworks, controls, escalation pathways and quality standards. 
• Confidence advising senior leaders while maintaining constructive relationships with unions, employee representatives, Legal and P&C stakeholders. 
• Strong written communication and the ability to prepare advice, briefing papers, policies, reports and formal correspondence. 

Why Civeo 

• Take ownership of a national ER and IR specialist remit across a diverse operational environment. 
• Help shape industrial relations strategy, enterprise bargaining planning, governance and workplace relations frameworks. 
• Fast growing organisation
• Build capability across the organisation through coaching, education and practical specialist guidance. 
• Join a role where strong relationships, commercial thinking and sound risk judgement are as important as technical expertise. 
• Opportunity to be based in Sydney or Brisbane, 3 corporate office days, 2 days work from home.

About Us  

Civeo Australia, a division of Civeo Corporation, provides workforce accommodation services globally. In Australia, Civeo has a national footprint of approximately 10,000 rooms across twelve villages in Queensland, New South Wales, and Western Australia. In addition, Civeo also operates approximately 16,500 rooms in client-owned properties in remote regions of Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland. With more than 40 years of experience, Civeo supports individuals who live and work away from home.   

We're committed to fostering sustainable partnerships and inclusive opportunities in all the communities we operate in. By actively engaging with Traditional Owners and First Nations Businesses, we're not just operating accommodation villages, we're nurturing relationships that honour the rich cultural heritage of the land.    

We're safe, welcoming, and proud to encourage Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people to join us.