Associate Legal Counsel - Employment

Associate Legal Counsel - Employment

Schnitz is looking for an Associate Legal Counsel – Employment to help shape the future of workplace compliance across our growing business.

This newly created role offers a unique blend of employment law, industrial relations, workplace compliance, investigations and commercial legal support. Working closely with our Legal Counsel and General Manager – Commercial, you'll take ownership of key compliance programs, provide trusted legal advice and partner with teams across the business to protect our people, support our Franchise Partners and minimise organisational risk.

Key Responsibilities:

• Monitor compliance with the Fair Work Act, Modern Awards, Respect@Work and other employment legislation.
• Develop and manage Schnitz Group's compliance framework, including education, monitoring, audits and remediation.
• Design and coordinate payroll compliance, time and attendance and workplace compliance audit programs across company-owned and franchise restaurants.
• Develop, review and maintain employment, industrial relations and WHS policies, procedures and compliance frameworks.
• Lead workplace investigations, employee relations matters and dispute resolution, including Fair Work Commission preparation where required.
• Coordinate and deliver workplace relations, compliance and WHS training for Franchise Partners, Restaurant Managers and Support Office teams.
• Oversee the Schnitz WHS Management System and support the development of practical safety frameworks, compliance tools and advisory resources.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to identify, manage and mitigate workplace risks.
• Support strategic projects by ensuring employment law and compliance obligations are met.
• Provide commercial legal support, including legal research, contract administration and preparation of legal documentation.

Skills & Experience:

To be successful in this role, you'll ideally have:

• A Law degree and admission to legal practice.
• 1–3 years experience in Employment Law, Industrial Relations or Employee Relations, gained either in private practice or managing employment law, ER or IR matters within a franchise, retail or multi-site hospitality environment.
• Previous experience managing employment law, ER or IR matters within a franchise or multi-site retail or hospitality environment is essential.
• Strong knowledge of the Fair Work Act, Modern Awards, Respect@Work reforms, vulnerable worker protections and workplace compliance.
• Experience conducting workplace investigations, managing employee relations matters and supporting workplace compliance programs.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and conflict resolution skills.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and compliance projects.
• A practical, commercially minded approach with the ability to build trusted relationships across all levels of the business.
• WHS qualifications or experience will be highly regarded.

The Good Stuff!

There's more to Schnitz than seriously good food. Join a supportive team, enjoy hybrid working, collaborate across the business, fuel up with free coffee and soft drinks, and celebrate our wins with monthly wind-down sessions - all while building your career with a growing Australian brand.

Schnitz is committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace environment. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds - not just because it is the right thing to do, but because it makes our organisation stronger. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other people of colour, people from culturally diverse backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ people and those with a disability.