Job Description
Employee Relations Specialist (Flexible Full time or Part-Time – 3 to 5 Days per Week)
n
Progressive National Law Firm | Newly Created Role | Hybrid + Flexibility
n
If you're an Employee Relations specialist who enjoys complex work, thrives in a professional services environment, and wants to help shape a brand‐new People & Culture Centre of Excellence — this is the kind of role that doesn't come around often.
n
We're partnering with a progressive national law firm to recruit their first Employee Relations Specialist, a newly created position sitting within a refreshed People Risk & Compliance function. Working closely with the Head of People Risk & Compliance and the P&C; Business Partners, you'll play a pivotal role in strengthening the firm's people compliance framework and elevating ER capability across the business.
n
The role can be 4 or 5 days per weekwith hybrid working and additional flexibility.
n
The firm is investing in a more proactive, risk‐aware approach to people management. This role is central to that shift — helping leaders and P&C; colleagues navigate complex ER issues, embedding early‐intervention practices, and ensuring the firm's frameworks are fit‐for‐purpose.
n
Key Responsibilities
n
A mix of hands‐on ER casework, advisory support, and framework-building:
n
n
Manage complex and sensitive ER matters end‐to‐end, including performance, conduct, grievances and investigations
n
Proactively identify workplace riskand advise on mitigation strategies, controls and defensible decision‐making
n
Interpret and apply industrial instruments, including the Legal Services Award
n
Draft and evolve ER frameworks — policies, procedures, guidance notes and supporting materials
n
Coach and uplift capability across P&C; and leaders,



embedding early intervention and consistent practice
n
Contribute to people risk, safety and compliance projects, including psychosocial safety, positive duty, privacy and broader governance initiatives
n
n
You could be from one of these backgrounds.
n
This role is ideal for someone who genuinely enjoys ER — not just managing issues, but shaping frameworks, improving controls and lifting capability across a business. It could suit:
n
n
A HR Generalist who gravitates to ER You already spend 50%+ of your role on ER and want to specialise further — moving into a role where complex matters, policy work and risk advisory are the core focus.
n
An ER Specialist stuck in reactive case management If you're in a high‐volume, reactive environment and want to do more thinkingthan firefighting, this role offers proactive work, framework design and broader people‐risk exposure.
n
An IR Specialist wanting a more corporate, less industrial workplace If you're coming from a unionised, EA‐heavy or highly industrial setting and want to apply your technical strengths in a professional services context with more nuance and advisory work.
n
An external ER/IR consultant ready to move in‐house Perfect if you've been providing advice from the outside and now want to see the real‐world impact of your work — influencing leaders, shaping culture and building long‐term capability.
n
n
What you'll bring
n
n
Strong technical ER capability — investigations, procedural fairness, documentation
n
Confidence interpreting awards and translating obligations into practical, commercial advice
n
Sound judgement and professionalism in sensitive, high‐risk matters
n
A collaborative, influential style suited to a professional services environment
n
Curiosity, analytical thinking and a mindset for continuous improvement
n

📌 Policy & People Risk Advisor (New South Wales)
🏢 Capability Hr
📍 New South Wales