Industrial Relations Manager - Hire or get hired
Your complete guide to the Industrial Relations Manager Role: Duties, salary & hiring tips
Purpose of the Industrial Relations Manager
The Industrial Relations Manager leads industrial relations strategy, managing enterprise agreements, union engagement, and compliance with employment law across the organisation.
Industrial Relations Manager's duties and responsibilities
• Enterprise Bargaining:
Lead negotiations and implement enterprise agreements.
• Union Liaison:
Act as the key contact for union representatives.
• Dispute Resolution:
Manage industrial disputes and ensure fair outcomes.
• Compliance:
Ensure adherence to IR legislation and agreements.
• Advisory Support:
Provide advice to leadership on complex workforce issues.
Lead negotiations and implement enterprise agreements.
• Union Liaison:
Act as the key contact for union representatives.
• Dispute Resolution:
Manage industrial disputes and ensure fair outcomes.
• Compliance:
Ensure adherence to IR legislation and agreements.
• Advisory Support:
Provide advice to leadership on complex workforce issues.
Requirements and qualifications for a Industrial Relations Manager
• 7+ years’ experience in industrial relations or ER
• Strong understanding of enterprise agreements and union processes
• Proven negotiation and stakeholder management skills
• Legal compliance and case management expertise
• Excellent communication and conflict resolution skills
• Strong understanding of enterprise agreements and union processes
• Proven negotiation and stakeholder management skills
• Legal compliance and case management expertise
• Excellent communication and conflict resolution skills
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Recruitment challenges persist. While 63% adjust salaries to fill existing roles, counteroffers have declined, with 57% opting not to make them. Staff turnover has stabilised for most organisations, with 40% reporting no change and 32% noting some improvement.
The focus on employee wellbeing is evident, with 81% of organisations offering Employee Assistance Programs and 45% providing health care subsidies. Work flexibility remains widespread, with 78% allowing flexible hours and 69% offering remote work options. As HR leaders refine attraction and retention strategies, investment in leadership, training, and AI integration will be critical to long-term workforce success.
