Workplace Relations Specialist

Job Description

Cochlear's mission is to help people hear and be heard. As the global leader in implantable hearing solutions, Cochlear is dedicated to helping people with moderate to profound hearing loss experience a world full of sound. We aim to transform the way people understand and treat hearing loss and innovate to connect people with future technologies. Our employees tell us that the number one reason they enjoy working for Cochlear is the opportunity to make a difference to people's lives.

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Learn and grow with us as we tackle the most complex challenges in helping more people to experience a lifetime of hearing. We're looking for an experienced Workplace Relations Specialist to join our Global People & Culture Service & Experience team and play a key role in strengthening workplace governance, wage compliance and employment practices across Cochlear's Australian operations. Reporting into the Workplace Governance & Specialist Advice Team, you'll provide expert advice on Modern Awards, Enterprise Agreements, employment legislation and workplace relations matters.

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You'll lead wage compliance initiatives, support governance programs, identify compliance risks and partner with leaders to ensure Cochlear maintains fair, compliant and effective workplace practices. The role requires expertise in wage compliance, employment legislation, workplace investigations and governance frameworks

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Please note, this is a fixed term contract until July 2027.

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What You'll Be Doing

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• Championing best practice ER/IR initiatives across Cochlear's Australian operations
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• Interpret and advise on relevant Modern Awards, Enterprise Agreement and applicable State & Federal legislation
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• Support wage and entitlement projects such as providing Award interpretation and analysing data to ensure compliance with industrial instruments
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• Conduct wage analyses including examining timesheet data, penalty rates, allowances, and other Award entitlements
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• Prepare compliance risk assessments through data examination within compliance frameworks and methodologies
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• Review and suggest process and system improvements to ensure ongoing compliance, including but not limited to record keeping, wage reviews and salary reconciliation, employment contracts, time and attendance rules, and visa management
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• Support the implementation of amendments in IR reform
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• Take leadership of proactive ER/IR projects
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• Support complex case management
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• Developing robust relationships with key internal stakeholders
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What You'll Bring

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• We're looking for someone who combines deep technical expertise with strong stakeholder management skills and a pragmatic, solutions-focused approach
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• Strong knowledge of Australian employment legislation, Modern Awards and employment relations frameworks
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• Demonstrated experience in wage compliance, award interpretation and workplace governance
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• Proven capability managing complex workplace investigations and sensitive employee relations matters
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• Experience partnering with unions, employee representatives and workplace delegates
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• Sound judgement, strong problem-solving skills and the ability to influence with confidence
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• Experience working within a contemporary People & Culture function
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• Highly Regarded Exposure to enterprise bargaining and implementation activities
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• Experience working within matrixed organisations and partnering across HR Centres of Excellence
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• Process improvement, systems transformation or governance experience
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How we recognise your contribution At Cochlear we value and welcome the unique contributions, perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds of our employees and aim to build a culture that celebrates and leverages these differences, creating a sense of belonging and enabling our people to realise their full potential. Through our internal programs and employee benefits, we aim to create an environment where our people will feel value and supported. Whether your focus is on continuous learning, professional development or simply finding an environment which enables you to thrive whilst balancing family or personal life commitments, then we have several programs in place to support you. For more information about Life at Cochlear, visit www.cochlearcareers.com

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Our growth is creating great opportunities! Our team is expanding and we want to hire the most talented people we can. Continued success depends on it. So once you've had a chance to explore our current open positions, apply to the ones you feel suit you best and keep track of both your progress in the selection process, and new postings that might interest you! We're the global leader in implantable hearing solutions. We have provided more than 600,000 implantable devices, helping people of all ages to lead full and active lives. We help people hear and be heard. We empower people to connect with others and live a full life. We help transform the way people understand and treat hearing loss. We innovate and bring to market a range of implantable hearing solutions that deliver a lifetime of hearing outcomes.