Role: People Specialist – Industrial Relations

Location: Murarrie, QLD

Employment Type: Full-time, Fixed-term (18-months)

Be the Voice of Fairness, Strategy and Positive Change!

We’re looking for an experienced Industrial Relations Specialist to play a key role in shaping Goodstart’s next Enterprise Agreement and strengthening our culture as a great place to work. You’ll partner with leaders, employees and union representatives to lead enterprise bargaining, guide fair and compliant outcomes, and ensure our IR strategies translate into positive, practical results across our network. This role is perfect for someone who thrives in complex IR environments, brings strong judgement, and enjoys building trusted relationships to influence meaningful change.

Your Impact:

• Lead the enterprise bargaining process from strategy development to agreement drafting and Fair Work Commission approval
• Build strong relationships with bargaining teams, leaders, union representatives and key stakeholders
• Ensure full compliance with the Fair Work Act and good faith bargaining requirements
• Develop communication plans to keep leaders and employees informed throughout negotiations
• Provide expert advice on employment legislation, policy updates and ER frameworks
• Support complex ER case matters, high-risk grievance investigations and conciliation processes
• Coach People Partners, leaders and ER specialists on negotiation tactics, legislative requirements and best-practice approaches
• Monitor trends, metrics and data to drive continuous improvements in IR and people practices
• Contribute to culture, engagement and change initiatives that enhance employee experience
• Represent Goodstart as a trusted IR expert, modelling our values and supporting a positive workplace culture

What Goodstart can offer you:

• Flexible work arrangements giving you choice about when and how work will be done in order to better manage your work and non-work needs
• Not-For-Profit Salary Packaging benefits which reduce your taxable income to increase take home pay
• Access to discounted childcare (up to 15%)
• Fitness Passport - access to gyms and pools for you and your family at a heavily discounted price
• Discounted health care and access to employee wellbeing program with BUPA
• Exclusive discounts on travel, gym memberships, Apple and Dell products, and more.
• Free annual flu shot (optional)
• Option to purchase extra leave for even greater work life balance  
• First Nations Support and Cultural Leave
• Work for a company that has an aspiration to be globally recognised for early years practice and learning outcomes
• Gain significant investment in your growth and development with support, tools, training and experiences that will truly enhance the progress and outcomes for children in their earliest years.

You’ll bring to the table:

• Tertiary qualifications in Human Resources, Employee Relations, Law or equivalent experience
• Proven experience in industrial relations, enterprise bargaining and EA drafting
• Strong knowledge of national and state-based employment legislation
• Ability to assess risk, apply sound judgement and balance people outcomes with organisational needs
• Strong communication, coaching, negotiation and influencing skills
• Experience partnering with senior leaders and navigating challenging or sensitive situations with calm professionalism
• Commitment to confidentiality, integrity, and fostering a positive workplace culture
• Change management skills are highly regarded

• Current QLD Working with Children Check

How to apply:

Click ‘Apply Now’ and submit your application.

We review applications as they are submitted. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible for your best chance to progress to the next stage of the process.

Have a question? Contact our Talent Acquisition Team via email vkundoorvala@goodstart.org.au

At Goodstart we are deeply committed to Reconciliation and encourage Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people to apply. For further information and support email deadlycareers@goodstart.org.au

If you are a placement agency or external recruiter, please refrain from submitting resumes to Goodstart unless you have a signed staffing agency agreement with us. Goodstart will not be responsible for or pay any placement fees for candidates submitted by agencies that are not approved suppliers. Any resumes received from agencies or external recruiters without an agreement will be reviewed by Goodstart and may be shared with our internal recruiting team for their reference.

Supporting our people and protecting our children

We’re an equal opportunity employer that is proud of our inclusive and diverse work environment. We know that Goodstarters from diverse cultures, backgrounds and experiences strengthen our teams and help us grow. We’re also deeply committed to Reconciliation and creating an environment where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People feel a strong sense of belonging and connection.

Safety is our priority and we will take any action necessary to ensure that all children can feel safe and be safe, and are safeguarded from abuse, neglect and harm. As a Child Safe Organisation, all of our candidates must have or obtain a valid working with children check.