Job Description
Kelsian Group Limited | Brisbane (with Australia-wide impact) | 1-year Fixed-Term Contract (with possibility of extension or permanent) | Hybrid Work
n
n
Shape the future of enterprise bargaining for the company
n
Work in a high-impact and strategic role
n
Enjoy having no billable hours
n
n
Tired of grinding billable hours in a law firm?
n
Ready to architect real change at enterprise scale — and actually see it make an impact?
n
At Kelsian, we move millions of people every year across Australia. We're not a traditional corporate. We're a high-growth, listed transport powerhouse that's redefining how Australia connects. And right now, we're looking for a brilliant, strategic employment lawyer to become the architect of our entire Enterprise Agreement strategy across the country.
n
This isn't another "support the business" legal role.
n
This is the role that designs the playbook for how we bargain, govern, and implement agreements for thousands of frontline team members — the people who keep Australia moving.
n
What you'll actually own (and be proud of):
n
n
Build the Group EA Portfolio Strategy from the ground up — expiry sequencing, cost envelopes, risk rating, and multi-year negotiation roadmaps that the entire business will follow.
n
Stand up and run the EA Governance Committee — setting mandates, driving discipline, and ensuring every negotiation stays on strategy.
n
Create the repeatable bargaining toolkit (costing models, clause libraries, playbooks) that empowers business leaders and P&C; teams to run high-quality negotiations without reinventing the wheel.
n




Develop sophisticated union relationship strategies that turn bargaining periods into constructive conversations rather than battles.
n
Partner shoulder-to-shoulder with General Managers and P&C; leads through live negotiations — you own the legal craftsmanship, drafting, interpretation, and Fair Work Commission approvals (including flawless BOOT analyses).
n
Build enterprise bargaining capability across P&C; teams and senior leaders through training and coaching to strengthen confidence, decision-making, and best-practice bargaining disciplines across the Group.
n
Close the loop with zero-defect implementation — translating agreements into payroll reality and auditing outcomes within 90 days.
n
n
You won't just advise. You'll build enduring capability that the business keeps long after your first 12 months.
n
Why the best lawyers are choosing Kelsian over traditional practice:
n
n
No billable hours. Your value is measured by strategic impact and business outcomes — not timesheets.
n
Real ownership and visible influence at Group level.
n
Work that matters: your agreements directly affect thousands of people who keep communities connected.
n
Robust runway for the contract to convert to permanent.
n
A leadership team that actually wants legal to be a strategic partner, not just a risk shield.




n
n
You'll thrive here if you are:
n
n
A confident, commercially sharp lawyer with 5+ years post-admission in
employment/industrial
relations (ideally in-house or advising large unionised operations).
n
Experienced designing and executing enterprise bargaining at portfolio scale — multiple agreements, complex multi-site environments.
n
A strong drafter and negotiator who loves turning complex terms into clean, payroll-ready outcomes.
n
Someone who builds credibility fast — with unions, with operators, and with senior leaders.
n
Holder of a current Australian Practising Certificate.
n
n
Current or former in-house counsel from large transport, logistics, retail, healthcare or manufacturing backgrounds usually excel here.
n
About Kelsian:
n
We're an Australian-based integrated multi-modal transport provider, operating iconic brands including SeaLink and Transit Systems, and a leader in sustainable public transport as the operator of Australia's largest zero-emission bus fleet and Australia's largest electrified bus depot. We pride ourselves on maintaining a strong commitment to integrity, transparency, and accountability in our operations.
n
At Kelsian Group Limited, we are more than just a company – we're a team of dedicated professionals committed to innovation, growth, and positive change. With a strong commitment to our employees and a vision for a brighter future, we're poised for continued success in the years ahead.
n
Ready to build something that lasts — instead of just billing another hour?
#J-*****-Ljbffr

📌 Senior Legal Counsel -Employee Relations (Queensland)
🏢 Burgess Paluch Legal Recruitment
📍 Queensland