Industrial Relations Lead, APAC

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced industrial relations (IR) leader to join our team in Melbourne. As the APAC IR Lead, you will define and drive our IR strategy across the Asia Pacific region. This is a senior leadership role where you will act as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert, shaping enterprise bargaining, union engagement, and industrial risk management, while ensuring business continuity and compliance.

You'll partner closely with senior HR, legal and business leaders to build a forward-looking IR roadmap, influence workforce strategy, and foster a progressive, high-performing industrial relations environment.

Reporting to the Global Head of IR you will:

• Lead the IR APAC team
• Define and deliver the APAC industrial relations strategy aligned to business priorities
• Lead collective agreement strategy and negotiations, union engagement, and dispute resolution
• Provide expert industrial relations advice to senior stakeholders, HRBPs, and business leaders
• Proactively identify and mitigate industrial risks to ensure business continuity
• Build strong partnerships across regional leadership, HR teams, legal, and employee representative bodies
• Deliver consistent, high-quality industrial relations frameworks, tools, and insights
• Drive initiatives to strengthen industrial relations practices and enhance employee outcomes
• Ensure adherence to employment legislation across relevant markets
• Represent the organisation in key external forums when required

• Degree in HR, Business, Psychology, or related discipline (or equivalent experience).
• Relevant tertiary qualification (postgraduate study desirable)
• 7-10+ years' experience in industrial relations and significant experience leading an IR function
• Strong experience with end-to-end enterprise bargaining, unions, and workforce negotiations
• Deep knowledge of employment legislation

• Exceptional negotiation, influencing, and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to coach, mentor, and uplift IR and HR capability

• Opportunity to shape IR strategy at a regional level
• Work with senior leaders on high-impact, complex workforce matters
• Be part of a collaborative, globally connected HR function
• Drive meaningful outcomes for both employees and the business