Senior Legal Counsel IR/ER
Navitas is seeking a Senior Legal Counsel specializing in Industrial Relations (IR) and Employee Relations (ER) to join our HR Australasia team. This pivotal role offers the opportunity to lead our national IR/ER strategy within a complex, unionized environment governed by multiple Enterprise Agreements. Reporting directly to the General Manager, HR Australasia, with a dotted line to General Counsel where applicable, you will provide trusted legal advice to executives and act as the senior representative before the Fair Work Commission. This position is available in multiple locations, including Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth.
In this role, you will lead enterprise bargaining across multiple Enterprise Agreements and unions, represent the organization before the Fair Work Commission and regulators, and provide strategic and legal IR/ER advice to executives and senior leaders. You will manage complex industrial disputes, litigation risk, and industrial action, oversee high-risk employee relations matters, including grievances and misconduct, and ensure compliance with employment law, awards, and industrial instruments. Additionally, you will lead and develop a specialist IR/ER team and uplift leader capability, as well as identify and mitigate industrial risk across projects, policies, and frameworks.
The ideal candidate will be admitted (or eligible) to practice as a solicitor in an Australian state or territory, with at least 5 years of legal post-admission experience in an employment practice of a law firm or equivalent in-house role. You should have extensive experience working with multiple EBAs in unionized organizations, strong experience representing employers at the Fair Work Commission, and deep knowledge of Australian employment law and the Fair Work system. Proven ability to manage high-risk disputes and complex ER matters, exceptional stakeholder management and negotiation skills, and confidence advising executives on sensitive and strategic IR/ER issues are essential. A tertiary qualification in Law, HR, Industrial Relations, or similar is required, and working knowledge of New Zealand employment legislation is desirable.
Navitas offers careers across our global operations, recognizes and rewards employees, and understands the importance of showing appreciation. We care for our employees by offering a range of benefits, support to help you be your best, and flexibility to help us all thrive. Working at Navitas has meaning; our impact is far-reaching as we create lasting legacies for students and communities. Employees also have access to LinkedIn Learning for their development.