Title:  Senior Manager, Industrial Relations

About Us

The Department of Transport and Planning seeks to create thriving places and connected communities by ensuring Victoria’s transport and land use is safe, sustainble and integrated. Our job is to further integrate the transport network and land uses to improve the delivery of services to Victorians for simpler, quicker and safer journeys that connect people and places and support Victoria's prosperity and liveability.

The department is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds, including veterans, people who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, have a disability, are from varied cultural backgrounds and those who identify as LGBTIQ+. The department provides workplace adjustments for applicants with disabilities.

Transport Services is a Group within the Department of Transport & Planning and is responsible for

delivering safe, reliable and accessible transport infrastructure and services to all Victorians.

About the Role

The Senior Project Manager, Industrial Relations, plays a leading role in guiding and coordinating industrial relations activities. This position ensures a strategic approach that aligns with the Government’s overarching policy framework for public transport, particularly in the context of major infrastructure investment.

To access the Position Description, please click here.

Position Outcomes / Accountabilities

• Working collaboratively with senior management across Transport Services and the broader Department, including the Workplace Relations Team in the People & Culture Division, to identify risks, develop strategy, and oversee the State’s approach to industrial relations in the context of transport service delivery and realising a return on Government’s transport infrastructure and capital investment program.
• Provide expert advice and support to the Deputy Secretary and Transport Services Executives on industrial relations risks and compliance specific to the Department’s key transport partners such as the franchise operators and VicRoads joint venture operator.
• Provide industrial relations and stakeholder engagement advice during bus operator and rail sector enterprise bargaining rounds and specific projects as required, potentially embedding under a business partner model into relevant teams for periods of high demand.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with key industrial stakeholders, including unions and senior management within the franchise operator organisations, and central agencies Such as Industrial Relations Victoria, to ensure a coordinated approach to influencing industrial outcomes aligned to Government’s transport policy agenda.

• Provide advice as required to relevant Ministers and their offices on transport-related industrial relations matters and ensure effective communication through the Department’s established channels.
• Other duties as required, consistent with employment classification, skills, and capabilities.
• In line with Section 31A of the Public Administration Act 2004 (Vic) other duties may be assigned consistent with employment classification, skills, and capabilities

Key Selection Criteria

The business is seeking a highly experienced and strategic industrial relations leader with deep expertise in IR frameworks and a proven ability to navigate complex issues. The ideal candidate will be a confident advisor and negotiator, skilled in resolving disputes and managing enterprise bargaining with a focus on fair, sustainable outcomes. They will build strong, collaborative relationships with a broad range of stakeholders, including unions and government partners, and proactively anticipate and respond to emerging industrial trends. A strong alignment with organisational values and the ability to lead adaptable, forward-thinking IR strategies is essential.

Personal Attributes

The ideal candidate is a forward-thinking and adaptable leader who actively seeks innovative ways to achieve outcomes. They demonstrate the courage to shift strategies when needed, even in the face of prior investment, and can build alignment and commitment around new approaches. They also foster a strong culture of collaboration—both internally and externally—by identifying opportunities to work together, promoting open communication, and removing barriers that hinder effective engagement.

Qualifications and Experience

Mandatory

• A tertiary qualification in areas of Management, Business, Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Law (with focus on industrial relations) or equivalent.

What we offer

• Meaningful work making Victorian communities more accessible and liveable
• Professional growth and development opportunities across the department and the wider Victorian Public Services
• A hybrid working model focused on collaboration and teamwork
• Optimal work-life balance initiatives including flexible working arrangements
• Opportunity to work across multiple urban and suburban hubs
• We prioritise the development of a safe and inclusive culture

Culture Value

We are an equal opportunity employer, embracing a diverse range of applicants such as veterans, and people who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, LGBTQIA community members, individuals with disabilities and/or health conditions, as well as those from varied faith and cultural backgrounds. At our department, we prioritize the development of a safe, inclusive, and high-performance culture through shared actions and behaviours that align with our strategy and direction. This empowers our employees to effectively contribute to our goals.

How to Apply

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Applications close 11.59pm on Tuesday, 20th of May 2025. 

Please include a resume and cover letter. All applications must be submitted through the online portal. We’re unable to consider email or manual applications at this time.

For further information about the role please contact Tim Clare – Director Strategy Coordination via tim.clare@transport.vic.gov.au

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Transport and Planning will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Please let us know by phone or email if you need any adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process. If you require the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g., large print) due to viewing difficulties or other accessibility needs, we are happy to accommodate.