Employee Relations Manager

🗓️ Posted 2026-07-24 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Full-time Hybrid Human Resources Recruitment

Company shared salary

NA

Market rate

A$10,833–A$14,166/mo (A$129,996–A$169,992/yr)

Based on similar roles (title + domain + location).

About the Company

At EY, we're all in to shape your future with confidence. We'll help you succeed in a globally connected powerhouse of diverse teams and take your career wherever you want it to go. Join EY and help to build a better working world. Employee Relations Manager - Assistant Director

About the Role

As one of our Employee Relations Managers, you will support a high performance culture by acting as an senior exprienced subject matter expert for the business. This role is focused on the management of complex and high risk employee relations matters, rather than people leadership. You will work closely with leaders, HR Business Partners and other centres of excellence to manage escalated matters such as workplace investigations, conduct issues, ill health, redundancies and restructures, and senior or sensitive performance matters, as well as other complex employee relations issues. This role does not have direct reports. Instead, you will provide expert advice, guidance and coaching to stakeholders and Employee Relations Advisors on complex cases. You will also contribute to priority projects aligned to the Talent agenda, including legislative change, policy development and continuous improvement initiatives. We are currently recruiting for two hybrid opportunities, one permanent position and one 12-month parental leave contract. Both roles can be based in any of our EY offices across Australia or in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland), New Zealand. Our roles can potentially be adjusted to work flexibly with reduced hours. Please speak with us about potential options. Your Key Responsibilities Acting as the escalation point for complex and high risk ER case management Partnering with HR Business Partners, General Counsel and other Talent Centres of Excellence on matters such as investigations, restructures and acquisitions Working with leaders at all levels to deliver practical, sustainable solutions to sensitive employee issues Providing expert guidance and informal coaching to Employee Relations Advisors on complex cases Contributing to ER related projects, including legislative updates and process improvement initiatives Maintaining work-life balance through a flexible, hybrid working model

Responsibilities

  • Acting as the escalation point for complex and high risk ER case management
  • Partnering with HR Business Partners, General Counsel and other Talent Centres of Excellence on matters such as investigations, restructures and acquisitions
  • Working with leaders at all levels to deliver practical, sustainable solutions to sensitive employee issues
  • Providing expert guidance and informal coaching to Employee Relations Advisors on complex cases
  • Contributing to ER related projects, including legislative updates and process improvement initiatives
  • Maintaining work-life balance through a flexible, hybrid working model

Requirements

  • Strong ability to influence and partner with senior leaders across the organisation
  • Demonstrated experience managing complex and escalated employee relations cases
  • Strong knowledge of employment legislation and statutory requirements
  • Up to date understanding of case law, legislative changes, awards and emerging ER issues
  • Experience applying employment legislation and ER practices across both New Zealand and Australia would be highly regarded
  • A practical, solutions focused approach to complex and ambiguous problems
  • The ability to work autonomously while collaborating effectively within a specialist team
  • Proven capability managing diverse stakeholders and navigating sensitive situations

Benefits

  • Career development: At EY, your career is yours to shape We'll develop you with future-focused skills and equip you with world-class experiences com/au/careerdevelopment
  • Flexible work arrangements: Our flexible work policies empower you to balance your professional and personal life, fostering a culture of trust and autonomy.
  • A comprehensive benefits package: From a yearly wellness incentive, to access to additional 8 weeks of flex leave per year, and family-friendly policies, including up to 26 weeks of gender-neutral paid parental leave, we cater to your diverse needs to help you thrive both personally and professionally www.ey.com/au/benefits
  • Salary: We offer a competitive salary which is open to negotiation pending on skills and experience.