Employee Relations Specialist

About the role

EY is looking for an Employee Relations Specialist to strengthen a high-performance workplace by serving as a senior expert on employee relations matters. The position is centred on complex and high-risk case handling rather than direct people management.

You will collaborate with leaders, HR Business Partners and specialist teams to address escalated issues such as investigations, conduct concerns, ill-health situations, restructures, redundancies and sensitive performance matters. The role also involves advising and coaching Employee Relations Advisors on difficult cases and supporting priority Talent projects, including policy work, legislative updates and continuous improvement.

This is described as a hybrid position. The source mentions flexibility options, including the possibility of adjusted hours and reduced hours, and notes that the role is based in Naarm – Melbourne or Warrang – Sydney.

Key responsibilities

• Act as the main escalation point for intricate and high-risk employee relations cases.
• Work in partnership with HR Business Partners, General Counsel and other Talent specialists on matters such as investigations, restructures and acquisitions.
• Support leaders across the business with practical and sustainable solutions for sensitive employee issues.
• Provide expert guidance and informal coaching to Employee Relations Advisors handling complex matters.
• Contribute to employee relations projects, including updates to legislation and improvements to processes.
• Help support work-life balance through a flexible hybrid working arrangement.

Skills and experience

• Ability to influence and build strong partnerships with senior leaders.
• Hands-on experience managing complex and escalated employee relations cases.
• Solid understanding of employment law and statutory obligations.
• Current knowledge of case law, legislative developments, awards and emerging ER issues.
• Practical, solution-oriented approach to ambiguous and challenging problems.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a specialist team.
• Experience handling varied stakeholders and navigating sensitive situations with care.

What EY offers

• Career development opportunities with future-focused learning and global experiences.
• Flexible work policies that support balance, autonomy and trust.
• A benefits package that includes a yearly wellness incentive, up to 8 additional weeks of flex leave each year, and family-friendly policies such as up to 26 weeks of gender-neutral paid parental leave.
• A competitive salary that is open to negotiation based on skills and experience.

Additional information

EY states that it is committed to diversity, inclusion and an equitable recruitment experience for candidates of all ages, nationalities, abilities, cultures, sexual orientations and gender identities. Applicants can request support or adjustments during the recruitment process, and any information shared will be treated confidentially.

The selected candidate will need to complete employment screening through EY or an external third-party provider. EY also includes its Acknowledgement of Country and broader reconciliation message in the source material.