What you will be doing:

The objective of the Head of Workplace Relations is to provide advice across the Virgin Australia Group on a wide range of employment and workplace relations issues, to represent the Group as an advocate in employment and industrial tribunals and to manage employment and industrial litigation matters on behalf of the Group.

Reporting into the General Manager of Workplace Relations, the successful applicant is expected to provide strategic, commercial and timely advice to the business on a wide range of issues. The person is required to be proactive in their approach to supporting the business, work autonomously, manage competing priorities, provide training and to assist colleagues, other members of the Group Workplace Relations team and other teams in relation to complex workplace relations issues as required. This will include however will not be limited to;

• Provide leadership in the planning, negotiation and implementation of Enterprise Agreements.
• Development and provision of strategic advice on workplace relations matters.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of the Virgin Australia workplace relations strategy.
• Manage litigation effectively (in consultation with internal and external legal teams) and in a manner which minimises external legal spend and impact to the business as far as possible.
• Represent the Group in employment and industrial tribunals (including the Fair Work Commission and the Australian Human Rights Commission).
• Potentially lead team members and act as a coach and mentor to other colleagues in the group.
• Keep the General Manager, Workplace Relations and the Chief People and Culture and other executives updated in a timely and efficient manner on litigation matters and other matters of importance to the Group.
• Design and deliver or arrange training to the People Team and the business on employment and workplace relations legal issues.

You'll be great in this role if you have:

• Minimum of 5 years’ leadership experience in contemporary workplace relations and have a broad experience which includes managing litigation and appearing as an advocate in employment and industrial relations tribunals.
• Tertiary qualifications in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Law or equivalent business qualification.
• Extensive experience leading Enterprise Agreement negotiations in a geographically dispersed and unionised environment.
• Strong knowledge of the Australian employment environment; with ability to interpret and apply legislation, policies, trends and ongoing developments in workplace relations.
• Broad experience in managing employment litigation.
• Experience in transformational and change activities within a complex/ multi-site operation including management of employee and union consultation.
• Experience dealing with employees and employee representatives in relation to complex workplace issues.

What you’ll get from us:

We’re committed to looking after you, with some of the best benefits and conditions in the industry – including (but not limited to);

• Heavily discounted air travel for you and your loved ones (including $1000 worth of travel credits per year)
• Flexible working arrangements
• Discounts on travel insurance, car hire, accommodation and experiences worldwide
• Discounted Virgin Australia Lounge membership
• Hospitality, retail, technology, beauty services and wellness discounts
• Wellness support, including the betterme digital wellbeing platform
• A comprehensive Employee Assistance Program, which offers confidential coaching and support from qualified professionals for all aspects of life – physical, mental, social and financial
• Dress for Your Day – enjoy the freedom to wear whatever is appropriate for the type of work you do and the day you have ahead of you.