Industrial Relations / Employee Relations Manager

Perth Airport is Australia’s Western Hub connecting the people, businesses and communities of Western Australia with the rest of Australia and the world. Operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the year, Perth Airport plays a significant role in providing economic, social and cultural benefits to West Australians.

Perth Airport is investing more than $5 billion in new infrastructure so we can support our airline partners to grow, offering more services to new destinations and an improved customer experience.

Over the coming decade we will expand T1 International, and build new domestic terminal facilities, a parallel runway, two multi-storey carparks and our first airport hotel. This will deliver one airport for the people of Western Australia which will host all flight services in a central location giving passengers a seamless, world-class travel experience.

The Perth Airport estate is spread over 2100 hectares and has developed a $1.5 billion portfolio of existing industrial premises and significant vacant land holdings.

We service a truly diverse community and play an important role in strengthening cultural, family and social bonds while supporting business, tourism and leisure travel.

We are seeking a highly experienced Industrial Relations professional to lead and manage all employee and industrial relations activities for Perth Airport’s major projects program of works. The project of works includes Perth Airport’s new runway, a new hotel, road upgrades, new terminal, new car parks and integrated services. 

This pivotal role will work closely with key internal stakeholders to develop and implement ER/IR strategies, assure compliance of contractors’ employment relations management plan commitments, and provide expert industrial relations advice. The role is instrumental to the delivery of our major projects.

About the role

• Develop and deliver ER/IR strategies that support project objectives and align with organisational culture.
• Maintain and improve governance rules, systems, and procedures, ensuring contractor compliance.
• Ensure consistent management of ER/IR matters across the program of works.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with contractors, unions, and other third parties to achieve optimal outcomes.
• Conduct contractor and subcontractor pre-assessment, including IR risk analysis at tender stage.
• Anticipate and address emerging ER/IR trends to minimise workplace disruption.
• Oversee and resolve day-to-day ER/IR issues on project sites.
• Provide timely updates and reports to senior stakeholders on industrial matters impacting the project.

About you

• Tertiary qualifications in Law, Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Management, or a related discipline.
• Over 10 years’ senior ER/IR advisory or management experience in complex or unionised environments.
• Proven ability to manage complex industrial relations issues within large-scale construction projects.
• Demonstrated professionalism, discretion, and commitment to procedural fairness.
• Exceptional interpersonal, influencing, and communication skills with the ability to influence senior managers constructively.
• Resilient and proactive approach to managing high-volume, high-risk matters.
• Skilled in facilitating, coaching, and providing expert advice in challenging industrial landscapes.

About Us:

We offer a dynamic and supportive team culture, a contemporary workplace with great facilities and a modern approach to work/life integration. Our competitive remuneration package comes with additional company benefits including free parking.

Perth Airport is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We are committed to building an equitable and diverse workforce representative of the community we serve. We encourage and welcome applications from all communities and backgrounds.

Doing the right thing by the planet and future generations is important to us. At PAPL we place a strong emphasis on embedding sustainability throughout our business strategy and operations. We remain steadfast in our commitment to driving ESPG (Environmental, Social, People, Governance) performance across our value chain and areas that have material environmental and social impact.

If this sounds like you please get in touch.