Job title: National Manager, Workplace Relations
Job type: Permanent
Emp type: Full-time
Industry: AoG Participating Agency
Functional Expertise: Human Resources
Salary type: Annual
Location: Wellington, NZ
Job published: 12-09-2025
Job ID: 48401

Job Description

National Manager Workplace Relations (Contract)

  • Hourly or Fixed Term Contract to 31 March 2026
  • Wellington location (preferred)
  • Immediate Start

Our client is seeking a highly experienced Employment and Industrial Relations specialist to step into the pivotal role of National Manager Workplace Relations on a fixed-term or contract basis through to 31 March 2026.

This is a rare opportunity to make a significant impact in a complex, unionised public sector environment during a period of organisational change.

About the Role

Reporting to the DCE People, you will lead the Workplace Relations team, overseeing industrial relations, union relationships, people policies, specialist advice, and dispute resolution.

You will play a key role in leading collective bargaining, requiring exceptional negotiation skills and deep public sector experience.

What We're Looking For

We need a seasoned ER/IR practitioner and people leader who will have:

  • Significant experience leading workplace/employee relations in large, complex, and unionised organisations — ideally in the public sector such as Health, Education, or similar.
  • Deep knowledge of New Zealand employment legislation and public sector collective bargaining processes.
  • Proven ability to lead and influence at a senior level, including with ELT and Board.
  • Demonstrated experience in managing large programmes of work and leading teams through change.
  • High resilience, adaptability, and political acumen.
  • A relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent experience.

What’s in it for you?

Be at the forefront of shaping workplace relations in one of New Zealand’s most trusted public sector agencies.  Our client offers flexible working arrangements and a supportive, values-driven culture.

This is an hourly contract or fixed-term or contract opportunity through to 31 March 2026. Immediate start is preferred.

To Apply

If you have the expertise, credibility, and resilience to lead in this environment, apply now!

Please contact Maria Lyons or Jane Temel at Niche Recruitment for a confidential discussion: