• Based at our Geelong, Waterfront Campus or Melbourne, Burwood Campus + hybrid work arrangements
• Full-time and fixed-term for 5 years
• An attractive senior leader salary package on offer

Why work with us?

At Deakin, you’ll be joining a community of passionate researchers, educators, and professionals united by a mission to make a real difference. Our commitment to groundbreaking research, world-class teaching, and learning extends across diverse communities—from regional areas to metropolitan campuses. This is where people come to make an impact, not only on students and communities but on society as a whole. Alongside these meaningful pursuits, you’ll experience a supportive, collaborative team culture that values innovation, inclusion, and the drive to excel.

Who are we?

Deakin is a leading public university in Victoria, transforming education for over 61,000 students across five campuses: Melbourne Burwood, Geelong Waurn Ponds, Geelong Waterfront, Warrnambool, and our dynamic online campus. As a progressive, open-minded institution, we’re proud to deliver the highest student satisfaction in Victoria and to consistently rank in the top 1% of universities worldwide.

About the role:

The Associate Director, Workplace Relations brings extensive and specialist knowledge of workplace relations and an understanding of the complexities of the higher education environment. The role is recognised as a principal specialist in workplace relations and leads and motivates a team of professionals to collaborate and deliver outstanding advice and services to our customers. Building connections with senior leaders, the role leads the enhancement of practices and methodology in workplace relations and recommends solutions to more complex university-wide issues in employee relations strategy, ensuring compliance with employment laws, managing industrial relations and fostering a positive working environment.

Reporting to the Director, Partnering & Solutions, you will lead a team of dedicated professionals, empowering them to deliver exceptional advice and services while building collaborative relationships with stakeholders across the university.

Your insights and leadership will drive the development of innovative, forward-thinking solutions that support a culture of inclusivity and respect, contributing to Deakin’s success.

As an Associate Director, you will:

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a collaborative and high-performing team, supporting their growth and guiding them in delivering strategic workplace initiatives.
• Develop and implement workplace relations strategies that align with Deakin’s goals, fostering a culture of inclusivity, respect, and well-being.
• Ensure adherence to employment laws by partnering with stakeholders to develop policies that reflect legal standards and best practices in employee management.
• Drive positive outcomes in resolving industrial disputes, grievances, and complaints, ensuring fairness and compliance with university policies.
• Lead negotiations with the NTEU, manage enterprise agreements, and build collaborative relationships with employee groups to support university objectives.

To be successful, you’ll have:

• A postgraduate degree in a relevant discipline or an equivalent combination of qualifications and extensive experience.
• Extensive experience conceptualising, developing, and implementing contemporary workplace relations solutions, strategies and services to achieve a large organisation’s objectives.
• A sound knowledge and understanding of contemporary workplace relations practices.
• Demonstrated capacity to build and maintain strong and productive relationships with internal and external partners and customers.
• Proven ability to exercise judgement, influence others, be flexible and adaptive to environmental changes and priorities, and gain support for new plans, programs or initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to develop collaborative work teams and a proven capability to deliver quality customer service to clients and quality improvement across a wide range of practices and services.

Here's how to apply: 

Please submit your updated resume and a short cover letter outlining your skills and experience.

• For a confidential discussion regarding this role, please contact Rob Moreton, Director, Partnering & Solutions on robert.moreton@deakin.edu.au
• For a copy of the position description, please see below:

 Associate Director, Workplace Relations.pdf

Applications for this position close at 11:55pm on Sunday 1st December, 2024.

Are You Ready?

Deakin is a Victorian university with a global impact. We are an agile, dynamic, and innovative university committed to making a positive impact through our excellence in education, research and innovation and the contributions we make to the wider community.

We understand that our reputation has been built on the dedication and expertise of our staff and we offer a dynamic and diverse working environment with opportunities to grow and develop careers. We believe that a progressive, thriving culture will ensure that people choose to come, and stay at Deakin and contribute to our ongoing success.

We value diversity and aim to build an inclusive environment that champions, embraces and respects differences. We support and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people of all abilities, cultures, sexual orientation, and genders.