About Port Authority of NSW
The Next Step is delighted to partner with Port Authority of NSW on this important appointment.
Widely regarded as a destination employer, Port Authority of NSW offers complex and meaningful work, genuine influence and a supportive culture. As a relatively lean organisation, you will enjoy direct access to leaders, visibility across the business and the opportunity to influence decisions and outcomes. Unlike larger organisations, this role offers genuine breadth across industrial relations, employee relations, compliance workforce strategy and organisational initiatives.

About the Role
Reporting to the General Manager, People & Culture, you will lead the organisation's industrial relations function during a significant period of enterprise bargaining and organisational evolution.
Working closely with a highly respected People & Culture leader and executive team, you will act as a trusted adviser across industrial and employee relations matters, helping shape workforce outcomes and support organisational success.
This is an workplace where relationships matter. Success is achieved through consultation, collaboration and influence rather than confrontation. You will be given the autonomy to lead while benefiting from the support and mentorship of an experienced leadership team.

About You
You are a credible, pragmatic and relationship focused industrial relations professional who enjoys building trust, navigating complexity and delivering practical outcomes.
You may currently be an Industrial Relations Manager, Employee Relations Manager,



Senior Industrial Relations Adviser or Senior Employee Relations Specialist seeking a role where you can broaden your impact and work closely with senior decision makers.

Experience within transport, aviation, maritime, energy, utilities, infrastructure, government or other unionised operational environments will be highly regarded.

Why Port Authority
Port Authority offers the opportunity to undertake high profile and strategically important work while being part of an organisation that genuinely values its people.
You will enjoy:

- A highly visible and influential role
- Direct partnership with an experienced and supportive People & Culture leader
- Flexibility, trust and a healthy approach to work and wellbeing
- Exposure to unique and essential maritime operations
- Investment in learning, development and long term career growth
- A collaborative culture built on respect, partnership and accountability

Most importantly, you will join a leadership team that is approachable, authentic and committed to creating an environment where people can perform at their best while building rewarding and sustainable careers.

Apply Now
Port Authority of NSW has engaged The Next Step to manage this search.
If you are looking for an opportunity to lead significant industrial relations initiatives while working alongside exceptional leaders in a highly respected organisation, we would love to hear from you.

For a confidential discussion, please contact Merridy Thomas or Julie Amato on (02) 8256 2***.

📌 Industrial Relations Manager (Sydney)
🏢 The Next Step Recruitment
📍 Sydney