About the role

This is a broad, hands-on leadership position within a complex major infrastructure Joint Venture environment. Reporting into senior project and corporate leadership, you will lead and coordinate the HR/IR function across the Joint Venture. The role requires someone who can operate comfortably across industrial relations, employee relations, workforce planning, payroll governance, recruitment, contracts, onboarding, HR administration, systems, reporting and project workforce support.

You will work closely with the Joint Venture leadership team and the respective JV partner organisations, with regular interfaces and reporting across project, corporate and international stakeholders. This is not a conventional corporate HR role—you will need to be equally comfortable advising senior project leaders, dealing with complex IR and employee matters, overseeing payroll and employment processes, supporting site teams and ensuring the fundamentals of HR administration and governance operate effectively.

Key responsibilities

- Lead the day-to-day HR and Industrial Relations function across the project
- Provide trusted HR/IR advice to the HR Project Director, senior leadership and operational managers
- Manage interfaces with the respective Joint Venture partner HR teams, including agreed reporting, governance, approvals and escalation requirements
- Coordinate reporting and information requirements with Australian corporate functions and relevant international parent organisations




- Lead industrial relations matters including Enterprise Agreement interpretation, Awards, rosters, classifications, allowances, working arrangements, consultation and dispute management
- Build and maintain constructive relationships with unions and workforce representatives
- Manage complex employee relations matters including grievances, investigations, performance, misconduct, disciplinary matters, probation and terminations
- Oversee workforce planning, organisational structures, mobilisation and demobilisation requirements
- Manage recruitment activity across qualified, administrative, technical and site-based positions
- Oversee employment offers, contracts, variations and other employee documentation

About you

- Significant senior HR and Industrial Relations experience
- Strong knowledge of Australian employment and industrial relations frameworks
- Experience interpreting Enterprise Agreements, Modern Awards and employment contracts
- Strong employee relations and workplace investigation capability
- Experience dealing with unions and industrial matters
- Demonstrated experience supporting operational or project-based workforces
- Strong understanding of payroll governance and the interaction between payroll, employment conditions, rosters, allowances and time records
- Experience managing recruitment, onboarding and employee lifecycle processes
- Experience leading HR teams and developing capability within a function
- Strong written communication and documentation skills

📌 Project HR/IR Lead (Sydney)
🏢 Cobra Asia Pacific
📍 Sydney