Principal Advisor - Employment Relations

• Permanent role based in Auckland or Wellington
• Tight-knit collaborative team + genuine flexibility and WFH days
• Opportunity to explore diverse and interesting work

Join this large and dynamic agency and help lead the way in creating a high performing, engaged, and inclusive workplace. This role sits within a highly skilled and dedicated ER team, a centre of excellence within the wider People group.

As a Principal Employment Relations Advisor, you will support and provide expert advice to the People function and wider organisation on a broad range of employment relations issues. You’ll play a key role in shaping and delivering the Employment Relations work programme to help build a best practice environment, support the People Strategy, and drive transparent, compliant practices across the organisation.

In this critical and influential role, you will partner with stakeholders at all levels of the organisation to work through the industrial relations, strategic, and legal implications of people-related initiatives.  

You’ll enjoy providing expert employment advice to people leaders and coaching HR Business Partners to build capability, deliver a great employee experience, and foster a ‘Speak Up’ culture.

Fundamental to this organisation’s employment relations strategy is ensuring that it maintains credible, collaborative relationships with union partners and an important part of the role is navigating what this means in a large organisation.

Working within a high-performing collaborative team, you will be well supported to ensure ER casework, including whistleblower investigations, are resolved efficiently to achieve the best possible result for the organisation and its people.

Support and champion the organisation's commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Te Ao Māori.

 Ko koe tēnei | About you

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Proven experience in NZ employment law and workplace relations, preferably with a unionised workforce.
• A law degree (or similar tertiary qualification) with around 7+ years’ PQE, ideally with the ability to hold a NZLS practising certificate.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to connect with empathy, influence and engage stakeholders at all levels of an organisation.
• A balance of strategic thinking and the willingness to get ‘hands-on’ delivering tactical solutions and strong problem-solving abilities.
• Pragmatism and proven experience in delivering efficient resolution of employment disputes.
• Strong analytical and drafting skills, with an eye for detail Demonstrated ability to apply sound judgement in identifying and appropriately managing risk
• Knowledge of (or a willingness to learn about) Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Te Ao Māori, diversity and inclusion.

He angitūtanga | The opportunity

Be part of a leading organisation that has a clear mission and strong commitment to its values. You’ll make a meaningful impact on New Zealand’s future while growing your career in a supportive and collaborative environment.

A generous range of benefits are on offer including 5 weeks annual leave, an extra ‘My Day’ to take whenever you like, and Life, Income Protection and Critical Illness Insurance scheme available for permanent employees. Genuine flexible working options are also available.

If you’re ready to make a difference, I'd love to hear from you!

Rā Katinga | Applications close

Sunday, 23^rd February.

To apply for this role, click the 'Apply' or 'I'm interested' button, or for more information and a confidential discussion about whether this role might be suitable for you, please contact Maria Lyons on 021 403 855 or maria.lyons@niche.recruitment.co.nz