Employment and Industrial Relations Manager

**Company Description**:
**You can help bring our villages to life**

At Summerset, from the moment we start developing a village, to when our residents call it home, it’s the passion and dedication of our people that brings our villages to life. We are one team united by being part of something bigger - to bring the best of life to our residents.

The way we work is guided by our values - One Team, Strong Enough to Care and Strive to Be the Best. We know it takes a collective effort to bring a village to life and help it thrive, so Summerset is a place where everyone’s uniqueness and diversity can shine.

When you’re part of the Summerset team, you belong to a place where your work has real impact, who you are is fully embraced and where your career flourishes.
**About the role**

We are looking for an Employment & Industrial Relations Manager to join our People & Culture Team. This is a critical role in creating, implementing and managing Summerset’s employment & industrial relations strategies, policies & practices.

**Key role responsibilities**

We are looking for an Employment & Industrial Relations Manager to join our People & Culture Team. You will play a critical role in creating, implementing and managing Summerset’s employment & industrial relations strategies, policies and practices.

You will need to proactively navigate complex employment issues with a balanced, fair and strategic approach, providing guidance and coaching to both the People & Culture business partnering teams and business leaders in New Zealand and Australia. Continuing to build and maintain Summerset’s effective relationship with the unions will also be a priority, as you lead the development of the collective bargaining strategy and the negotiations and engage with union delegates and officials.

**This role can be based in Auckland or Wellington.**

**Key role responsibilities**
- Develop & implement ER & IR strategies.
- Provide strategic advice to senior management on industrial relations matters.
- Create & review employment relations policies, procedures & templates in line with current legislation.
- Lead complex employee relations issues with commercial or reputational risk.
- Lead negotiations for collective/enterprise agreements.
- Provide guidance & coaching to business partnering teams on all employment & industrial relations matters.
- Advise senior management on potential risks related to employment law & industrial relations and recommend strategies to mitigate risk, staying informed on changes to employment law in New Zealand and Australia.
- Develop & deliver training programs on employment relations, compliance, industrial relations & best practice for managers.
- Build & maintain effective relationships with unions & employee representative bodies.

**Qualifications**:
**Who we are looking for?**
- Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Administration, Law, Commerce or a related field.
- Minimum 10 years’ experience in a similar role.
- Proven track record in managing complex employment issues.
- Experience leading negotiations in a large, unionised organisation with strong commercial outcomes.
- Strong understanding of NZ employment law & regulations.
- Exposure and/or prior experience of Australian employment law and regulations desirable
- Excellent communication, negotiation and conflict resolution skills - ability to work effectively with internal & external stakeholders.
- Proactive, strategic thinker with strong problem-solving abilities & business acumen.
- High level of emotional intelligence & resilience.

**Additional Information**:
**What's in it for you?**

You will be working with an enthusiastic and caring team that is fun to be part of. Our aim is to create a great employee experience, to collaborate to find ways to improve, and to support each other.

We also offer a competitive salary and a range of benefits on offer including day-to-day Health insurance, professional development opportunities, an annual entitlement of Summerset shares, wide range of supplier discounts, long service leave, a day off on your birthday and much more

Applicants for this position must also have NZ residency or a valid NZ work permit.