Manager Employment and Industrial Relations

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About the role

At Heritage Lifecare, we believe in a better every day — for our residents, our teams, and our communities.

As one of New Zealand's largest aged care providers, we care for more than 2,200 residents across our nationwide network, supported by 2,700 dedicated people who bring compassion and excellence to everything they do.

We're looking for an energetic and highly experienced Manager Employment and Industrial Relations, who is passionate about ER and IR and having the right conversations and getting the right outcomes, and who thrives in a fast-paced, people-first environment. You'll support the delivery of effective, legally compliant, and people-centred employment relations advice and processes, at a senior level and in a complex environment.

You'll balance building leadership capability with hands-on delivery and support across the ER / IT portfolio whilst upskilling capability and strengthening employment practice across the business.

Wellington | Full-time 40 hours per week | Private sector aged care

What you'll do

• Manage and oversee employment relations (ER) and industrial relations (IR) casework from first contact through to resolution.
• Provide expert guidance to leaders on disciplinary, performance, and change management processes.
• Support and mentor the ER Specialist, ensuring consistent, timely, and legally sound outcomes.
• Prepare, review, and endorse investigation notes, documentation, and outcomes for ER and IR matters.
• Partner with P&C leaders to identify systemic issues and implement proactive ER and IR strategies.
• Build and maintain constructive relationships with unions, leaders, and employee representatives.
• Contribute to collective bargaining preparation, consultation, and implementation of agreements.
• Monitor emerging ER/IR trends, risks, and legal developments, and provide strategic advice.
• Develop and deliver training, tools, and resources to strengthen leader capability in employment practice.
• Contribute to continuous improvement, compliance reviews, and ER data insights.
• Role-model Heritage Lifecare values, promoting wellbeing, inclusion, and a positive workplace culture

He pūkenga tou | What you'll bring

• Strong expertise in employment and industrial relations, with a deep understanding of New Zealand employment law.
• Proven experience managing complex ER cases and advising on collective bargaining or union engagement.
• Demonstrated ability to coach, mentor, and build capability across leaders and teams.
• Excellent relationship-building skills and confidence working with unions and senior stakeholders.
• Sound judgement with a pragmatic, solution-focused approach to risk and compliance.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including documentation and negotiation.
• Commitment to continuous improvement, fairness, and upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles.
• Alignment with Heritage Lifecare's values of compassion, integrity, accountability, teamwork, and excellence.

Ngā mea e tukuna ana e tātau | What we offer

• A collaborative, values-driven environment where your work truly matters.
• Opportunities to shape culture and deliver initiatives that impact thousands of lives.
• Professional development and growth within a large national organisation.
• Discounts with leading retailers.
• Regular morning tea shouts and fresh fruit available daily.
• A workplace that celebrates connection, care, and community.

Nau mai haere mai ki Heritage Lifecare | Welcome

At Heritage Lifecare, we honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and embrace the principles of whanaungatanga, whakapapa, and manaakitanga in the way we connect and care. Together, we create workplaces where people feel respected, valued, and supported to do their best work.

Tono mai | How to apply

If this sounds like you, apply now via the link below — we're reviewing applications as they come in and will move quickly to interview.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in New Zealand.

Kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui – stay strong, be brave, be steadfast.

For a copy of the Job Description visit PD_PandC_ER_IR-Manager-Position-Description-Nov-