Manager, Workplace Relations & Governance

• Permanent Full-Time
• Footscray location
• Hybrid work arrangement

About Greater Western Water

We’re water… and more.

GWW is a Victorian government-owned water corporation that provides an essential service to some of the fastest-growing communities in Australia, stretching from Melbourne’s CBD to Lancefield in the north and Bacchus Marsh in the west. Click here to learn more

Benefits

• We embrace flexibility and connection with a balance of on-site and WFH
• Free onsite parking (subject to availability)
• Monthly work-life balance day off to treat yourself (if full-time)
• Free income protection and salary continuance insurance

The opportunity

This leadership role in the People, Culture & Safety team at Greater Western Water (GWW) holds the accountability for  embedding the Workplace Relations and Governance operating model and providing Employee Relations and Industrial Relations services to GWW. Responsibilities include developing a new Industrial Relations strategy, preparing our strategy to lead into future Enterprise Agreement negotiations, and managing relationships with representative unions. The role includes leading a team that provides employee relations advice, remuneration services, and generalist support.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Workplace Relations & Governance team at GWW and deliver a high-quality service, coach team members, and manage performance effectively.
• Focus on managing employee-related issues, supporting the Staff Consultative Committee, overseeing union relationships, evaluating industrial instruments, handling workplace investigations and lead Enterprise Agreement negotiations all while building the team's employee relations capabilities.
• Develop and review HR policies, engage with stakeholders, ensure governance compliance, and maintain up-to-date HR strategies and documents.
• Lead the Remuneration function, overseeing a comprehensive total reward strategy, ensuring accurate remuneration processes, innovative reporting for remuneration analysis, effective year-end remuneration management, and continuous improvement of benefits.
• Understand customer needs in Workplace Relations, manage union relationships and employee committees in alignment with organisational strategy, build effective relationships both internally and externally, and collaborate with Centres of Excellence to provide feedback on initiatives.

Skills & Experience

• Extensive Industrial/Employee relations experience including union relationship management
• Experience in Enterprise Agreement negotiations, implementation and processes
• Experience with complex case management and performance management practices
• Representation in external settings including Fair Work Commission conciliations or hearings
• Stakeholder management, coaching, consulting and relationship building
• Policy development and EA interpretation
• Leadership experience of a team
• Remuneration Frameworks
• Policy design and development

See yourself thrive

Our vision for GWW is Thriving People and Country. We aim to be as diverse as the communities we serve and are deeply committed to building a workplace where everybody thrives. We’re supportive, inclusive, and friendly, and value everyone for who they are and what they can bring. 

We’re seeking applicants across all cultural backgrounds, genders, and abilities, and will make reasonable adjustments as required, so please talk to us about what you need.

Don’t meet every single requirement? If you’re excited about this role, we encourage you to apply.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which will include reference checks, national police checks, and working rights in Australia checks.