Hot Jobs

Employment Relations Advisor
12-month Fixed-Term Opportunity | Auckland-based | Senior ER Focus
  
We are partnering with a large, complex organisation operating in a highly regulated and unionised environment to appoint an experienced Employment Relations Advisor on a fixed-term contract. This is a senior advisory role, providing trusted ER and HR consultancy support to leaders across the business during a period of ongoing operational activity.
  
This position is well suited to an ER professional who enjoys working at depth, is confident managing complex cases end to end, and can build credibility quickly with leaders, unions, and stakeholders.
  
The Opportunity
In this role, you will provide expert advice across the full spectrum of employment relations, supporting leaders to manage performance, conduct, capability, restructures, grievances, and disputes in a fair, consistent, and legally compliant way. You will act as a senior advisor, partnering closely with leaders to navigate challenging situations while reinforcing strong people practices and a high-performance culture.
  
You will also contribute to policy development and implementation, support collective employment agreement interpretation and negotiations, and deliver ER-related training and coaching to leaders. This role operates with a high degree of autonomy and influence and plays a key part in shaping workplace culture and employment practice.
  
Key Responsibilities

• Provide accurate, timely, and pragmatic ER advice to leaders and employees
• Manage complex ER cases, including investigations, disciplinary processes, grievances, and disputes
• Support and coach leaders through performance and conduct matters
• Engage constructively with unions and employee representatives
• Support collective agreement interpretation and negotiation processes
• Develop, review, and implement ER policies and procedures
• Deliver ER training and capability uplift for leaders
• Maintain high-quality documentation and confidentiality at all times
• Contribute to continuous improvement of people practices and ER processes

  
About You
You will be an experienced ER professional with strong judgement, resilience, and the ability to operate calmly in high-risk and high-pressure situations. You are confident engaging at all levels of an organisation and are comfortable balancing legal compliance with commercial and operational realities.
  
We are looking for someone who brings:

• At least 5 years’ experience in Employment Relations or Industrial Relations
• Strong working knowledge of New Zealand employment legislation
• Experience managing complex ER cases independently
• Proven ability to influence and coach leaders
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills
• High levels of integrity and discretion
• Experience in manufacturing, construction, or heavy industry environments (preferred but not essential)

  
Why Consider This Role?

• Senior ER role with real influence and autonomy
• Exposure to complex, unionised, and operational environments
• Opportunity to work closely with leaders and make a tangible impact
• Strong focus on values, safety, and fair employment practices

  
If you are a seasoned ER Advisor looking for a role where your expertise will be valued and your judgement trusted, we would welcome a confidential conversation. If you would like to find out more about this role or wish to apply, then please visit our Hot Jobs at www.h2r.co.nz and refer to reference number 1004600. For further information please call Emily Jerrom on 09 368 7300. All applications will be acknowledged by email.