Senior Workplace Relations Counsel Full time (part-time considered)
Catholic Employment Relations – Sydney CBD NSW
Sydney CBD | Full-Time (part-time considered) | Hybrid Working Available
About Us
Catholic Employment Relations (CER) is a trusted partner to Catholic employers across Australia, providing expert employment relations, human resources, industrial relations and legal support through a distinctly Catholic lens.
We work alongside Catholic schools, Religious Institutes, health and social service providers, and other Catholic agencies to build in-house capability and navigate complex workplace issues with confidence.
From day-to-day employment matters to enterprise bargaining, workplace investigations, litigation and governance, CER delivers practical, end-to-end support that aligns with Catholic values and mission.
As a not-for-profit legal practice and wholly owned subsidiary of Catholic Schools NSW, we are committed to excellence in client service, collaboration, and supporting the mission of Catholic organisations.
About the Role
We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Workplace Relations Counsel to join our growing team.
This is a senior advisory role for a workplace relations professional who thrives on solving complex challenges, building trusted client relationships, and providing commercially sound, practical advice.
Working closely with senior leaders, executives, boards and decision-makers, you will deliver strategic employment and industrial relations support across a diverse portfolio of Catholic organisations.
You will act as a trusted advisor, balancing legal obligations, organisational objectives, operational realities and stakeholder expectations to help clients make informed and effective workplace decisions.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Employment & Industrial Relations Advice
Provide expert advice on complex employment and industrial relations matters, including:
Performance management
Misconduct and disciplinary processes
Terminations and redundancies
General protections claims
Unfair dismissal matters
Interpretation and compliance with awards and enterprise agreements
Deliver practical, commercially focused solutions that support organisational objectives while managing legal risk.
Litigation, Dispute Resolution & Risk Management
Manage employment-related disputes and litigation before courts, tribunals and regulatory bodies.
Develop risk mitigation strategies and dispute resolution pathways.
Provide strategic advice on settlement negotiations and legal risk management.




Identify opportunities for early intervention to minimise organisational disruption and exposure.
Enterprise Bargaining & Industrial Strategy
Lead and advise on enterprise bargaining negotiations and industrial strategies.
Support clients in developing bargaining positions aligned with workforce and operational objectives.
Provide advice on industrial disputes, legislative compliance and industrial relations trends.
Workplace Investigations
Lead complex and sensitive workplace investigations involving:
Misconduct
Bullying
Harassment
Discrimination
Systemic workplace concerns
Ensure procedural fairness and legally defensible outcomes.
Governance, Compliance & Policy Leadership
Develop and review workplace policies, governance frameworks and compliance programs.
Monitor legislative developments and emerging workplace risks.
Support continuous improvement initiatives and best-practice workplace governance.
Specialist Legal Advisory
Advise on:
Employment contracts
Executive employment arrangements
Privacy obligations
Workplace health and safety matters
Workplace policies and governance frameworks
Prepare complex legal opinions, submissions, correspondence and advisory materials.
Thought Leadership & Training
Develop client updates, articles, guidance materials and training programs.
Present at workshops, seminars and sector events.
Contribute to CER's reputation as a leading workplace relations advisory practice.
Client Relationship Management
Build strong and enduring relationships with clients and stakeholders.
Deliver responsive, strategic and high-quality advice tailored to each client's needs and risk appetite.
Leadership & Collaboration
Mentor and support colleagues across the business.
Contribute to a collaborative and high-performing team culture.
Support innovation, continuous improvement and cross-functional projects.
About You
You are a trusted workplace relations professional with strong technical expertise, sound judgment and a practical approach to solving complex workplace issues.
Essential Qualifications
Tertiary qualification in Law, Industrial Relations, Human Resources or a related discipline.




Current NSW Working with Children Check.
Desirable Qualifications
Admission as an Australian Legal Practitioner.
Current Australian Practising Certificate.
Postgraduate qualifications in Employment Law, Industrial Relations, Human Resources or a related discipline.
Experience Required
Minimum 5+ years' experience in employment relations and industrial relations.
Demonstrated experience advising on complex employment and industrial matters.
Experience leading or supporting enterprise bargaining negotiations.
Proven experience managing employment litigation and tribunal matters.
Demonstrated experience conducting complex workplace investigations.
Experience partnering with executives, boards and senior leaders on strategic workplace issues.
Experience within education, not-for-profit, faith-based, membership or Catholic organisations will be highly regarded.
Knowledge & Skills
Extensive knowledge of Australian employment law and industrial relations frameworks.
Strong understanding of modern awards, enterprise agreements and industrial instruments.
Advanced advocacy, negotiation and dispute resolution skills.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management capability.
Excellent analytical, problem-solving and risk assessment skills.
Ability to manage competing priorities and complex matters simultaneously.
Proficiency using legal technology, AI-enabled platforms and Microsoft Office applications.
Ability to provide practical, commercially minded and solutions-focused advice.
Why Join CER?
Join a purpose-driven organisation where your expertise will make a meaningful difference to Catholic employers across Australia.
We offer:
Newly renovated offices in the heart of Sydney CBD
Hybrid working arrangements
Competitive remuneration package
Ongoing professional development opportunities
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Salary packaging and novated leasing options
Additional paid leave during the Christmas shutdown period
Three additional days of Special Leave per annum
Additional Personal/Carer's Leave after one year of service
Supportive, collaborative and values-driven culture
You must have full legal rights to work in Australia with no restrictions.
CER and CSNSW only engage people who are suitable to work with children and has developed and implemented child safe human resources practices accordingly.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
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📌 Senior Workplace Relations Counsel Full-Time (Part-Time Considered) (Sydney)
🏢 Catholic Employment Relations
📍 Sydney