IR Specialist
Job description
About The Organisation
Goodstart is a purpose-driven organisation with a vision for Australia’s children to have the best possible start in life. With more than 16,500 team members across nearly 700 centres, Goodstart operates at national scale in a highly regulated and unionised environment.
Safety, inclusion and reconciliation are fundamental to who Goodstart is. The organisation has zero tolerance for child harm and is deeply committed to creating safe, inclusive and supportive workplaces.
About The Opportunity
This is a specialist Industrial Relations role within Goodstart’s national People team, supporting leaders across the organisation to deliver fair, compliant and people-centred outcomes.
You will operate as a trusted advisor on complex IR matters, contribute to enterprise agreement strategy, and support organisational capability uplift in employee relations. The role balances risk management with employee experience and requires sound judgement, confidence and credibility.
This opportunity will suit an experienced IR practitioner who enjoys complexity, autonomy and influencing at senior levels within a values-led organisation.
Key Responsibilities
Employee and Industrial Relations
To be successful, you will bring:
For a confidential discussion or to apply, please attach your CV and cover letter, or email brock.moran@troocoo.com for further information. All applications will be handled with strict confidentiality.
Safety is our priority and we will take any action necessary to ensure that all children can feel safe and be safe, and are safeguarded from abuse, neglect and harm. As a Child Safe Organisation, all of our candidates must have or obtain a valid working with children check.
We’re an equal opportunity employer that is proud of our inclusive and diverse work environment. We know that Goodstarters from diverse cultures, backgrounds and experiences strengthen our teams and help us grow. We’re also deeply committed to Reconciliation and creating an environment where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People feel a strong sense of belonging and connection.
Goodstart is a purpose-driven organisation with a vision for Australia’s children to have the best possible start in life. With more than 16,500 team members across nearly 700 centres, Goodstart operates at national scale in a highly regulated and unionised environment.
Safety, inclusion and reconciliation are fundamental to who Goodstart is. The organisation has zero tolerance for child harm and is deeply committed to creating safe, inclusive and supportive workplaces.
About The Opportunity
This is a specialist Industrial Relations role within Goodstart’s national People team, supporting leaders across the organisation to deliver fair, compliant and people-centred outcomes.
You will operate as a trusted advisor on complex IR matters, contribute to enterprise agreement strategy, and support organisational capability uplift in employee relations. The role balances risk management with employee experience and requires sound judgement, confidence and credibility.
This opportunity will suit an experienced IR practitioner who enjoys complexity, autonomy and influencing at senior levels within a values-led organisation.
Key Responsibilities
Employee and Industrial Relations
- Provide expert ER and IR advice to senior leaders, People Partners and Legal stakeholders
- Lead and support complex and high-risk employee relations matters, including investigations and grievances
- Represent the organisation in conciliation matters as required
- Act as a specialist contributor to Enterprise Agreement negotiations
- Support consultation and engagement with unions and employee representative bodies
- Monitor and interpret employment legislation, providing practical insights and guidance
- Analyse ER data and trends to identify compliance risks and improvement opportunities
- Coach and support leaders to build capability in employee relations and people management
- Contribute a people-focused lens to organisational initiatives and change programs
- Support the design and implementation of improved ER frameworks, processes and tools
- Act as a role model and culture ambassador aligned to Goodstart’s values
- Champion wellbeing and psychologically safe work practices
- Participate in HR compliance audits and risk reviews
- Maintain strict confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgement
To be successful, you will bring:
- Tertiary qualifications in Human Resources, Employee Relations, Law or equivalent experience
- Strong working knowledge of Australian employment legislation, including the Fair Work Act and WHS obligations
- Demonstrated experience managing complex ER and IR matters end-to-end
- Confidence influencing senior stakeholders in complex or sensitive situations
- Strong communication, negotiation and coaching capability
- A continuous improvement mindset and strong business acumen
- Experience in unionised, highly regulated or large-scale environments (highly regarded)
- Purpose-driven organisation with genuine social impact
- Opportunity to work on complex, meaningful IR matters at national scale
- Flexible work arrangements and hybrid conditions
- Supportive, values-led culture with a strong commitment to safety and inclusion
For a confidential discussion or to apply, please attach your CV and cover letter, or email brock.moran@troocoo.com for further information. All applications will be handled with strict confidentiality.
Safety is our priority and we will take any action necessary to ensure that all children can feel safe and be safe, and are safeguarded from abuse, neglect and harm. As a Child Safe Organisation, all of our candidates must have or obtain a valid working with children check.
We’re an equal opportunity employer that is proud of our inclusive and diverse work environment. We know that Goodstarters from diverse cultures, backgrounds and experiences strengthen our teams and help us grow. We’re also deeply committed to Reconciliation and creating an environment where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People feel a strong sense of belonging and connection.