Strategic Lead, Employee Relations & Bargaining (Melbourne)

Assistant Director Employee Relations
- Vacancy Details The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is an independent statutory authority established by the Australian Government to maintain an impartial and independent electoral system for eligible voters through active electoral roll management, efficient delivery of polling services, and targeted education and public awareness programs. The AEC’s values and commitments The AEC values and commitments are an essential component of our operating environment and frame how AEC staff work. The AEC’s focus is on electoral integrity through the values of quality, agility and professionalism. The Team The People Branch delivers human resources services and functions across the AEC. Our team of HR professionals provides services designed to support our people across functions that include workforce strategy, recruitment, HR operations, employee relations, safety and wellbeing, learning and development, and workforce insights. We aim to work in partnership with AEC business areas to bring a strategic focus and innovative approaches, built on solid operational foundations. The Opportunity The Assistant Director in the Employee Relations & Wellbeing team works under limited direction to provide high-quality advice and support on a range of complex HR matters, including employment entitlements and conditions, conduct, and review of employment-related actions. The role sits within the Employee Relations, Wellbeing and Diversity section of the People Branch and contributes to strategic planning, projects, and decision-making within the work area. This role will play a key role in supporting the AEC’s upcoming enterprise bargaining process, providing an opportunity to contribute to a high-profile, agency-wide priority. The successful candidate will support bargaining strategy, prepare advice, assist with negotiations, and coordinate stakeholder engagement. It is intended that, following completion of the bargaining process, the role will transition into an ongoing function within the Employee Relations team, supporting broader employee relations priorities and initiatives. In this role, you will work collaboratively across the business and engage with a wide range of stakeholders to deliver on the AEC’s obligations and responsibilities under relevant legislation and frameworks. The position requires the appropriate handling and management of sensitive personal information, and the provision of accurate, timely and evidence-based advice to business areas in accordance with APS legislation, Commissioner’s Directions, and AEC policies and procedures. Essential Qualifications and Experience
- Demonstrated integrity and judgement in handling sensitive and confidential information, ensuring accuracy, discretion and compliance within a high-risk, legislative environment
- Proven ability to operate with autonomy and strategic awareness, including navigating ambiguity, managing competing priorities, and delivering high-quality outcomes within tight timeframes
- Highly developed stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with the ability to build productive relationships, negotiate outcomes, and collaborate across teams, branches and external stakeholders within a geographically dispersed network
- Strong written communication and advisory capability, including the ability to synthesize complex information, develop explicit, evidence-based advice, and tailor messages for a range of audiences, including senior leadership
- Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying APS employment frameworks, including relevant legislation, policy, and enterprise bargaining processes within an APS context
- Proven leadership capability, including the ability to lead, manage and develop a small geographically dispersed team, foster an inclusive and high-performing team culture, and drive accountability and results. Desirable
- Relevant qualifications and/or experience working within the Human Resources environment. Eligibility
- AEC employees must be Australian citizens.
- Any person who is, and is seen to be active in political affairs, and intends to publicly carry on this activity, may compromise the strict neutrality of the AEC and cannot be considered.
- Applicants are required to consent to, undergo, obtain and maintain a character clearance.
- Applicants are required to consent to, undergo, obtain and maintain the security clearance required for this role. #J-18808-Ljbffr Apply on Kit Job: kitjobau.com/job/3ruhqs