Employee Relations Specialist
Job Summary
Join a collaborative team of experienced Employee Relations professionals with strong relationships collaboration and a shared commitment to achieving great outcomes
Flexible working arrangements available - work from home as well as spend time in the office
Brisbane or Perth based - Permanent Full Time and Part Time opportunities available
WereFindingBetterWaysto provide materials the world needs now and in the values carecourageand curiosity guide how we work and how we treat each other.
About the role
We are seeking an Employee Relations Specialist to provide strategic and operational employee relations and industrial relations advice to a diverse group of business units globally that support the achievement of Rio Tintos business objectives through an engaged workforce.
Joining a well-connected and supportive team this role is an opportunity to bring your technical expertise and values based leadership to work everyday.
We are an open connected global team that includes some of the industrys best and brightest minds. We offer competitive performance-focused remuneration and a wide range of benefits to reward your contribution. With a global reach the opportunities to develop and grow your career are broad and exciting.
Reporting to the Employee Relations Manager APAC you will be involved in interesting and diverse work including:
Providing employee relations and industrial relations advice to site-based HR teams and operational leaders in relation to case management investigation processes grievances and dispute resolution fair treatment claims and policy application
Advising on interpretation and application of industrial instruments employment legislation and policies
Advising and supporting HR and operational team members on a range of industrial relations matters including right of entry award and EBA application and dispute resolution
Facilitating or supporting complex workplace investigations
Drafting a range of employment documents
Building capability through coaching development and training ofthe human resources team and frontline leaders
Design develop and execute projects individually or as a team member addressing ER issues or employee engagement opportunities
Managing external disputes on behalf of the company including preparing relevant applications responses and providing representation in various jurisdictions
You will also champion Rio Tintos people strategy through Everyday Respect and develop strong collaborative relationships with leaders across the HR function and broader business. You will foster connected high-performing workplaces by building strong relationships with stakeholders across our operations in Australia and New Zealand travelling as required.
What youll bring
As a trusted advisor you will bring a high degree of discretion professionalism and integrity to the management of sensitive and confidential matters applying sound judgement and critical thinking to deliver practical balanced solutions to complex challenges.
Your adaptability to thrive in a dynamic environment will see you succeed. You will also consistently promote Rio Tintos values of Care Courage and Curiosity and demonstrate to following:
A commitment ot the safety of yourself and your team
A tertiary qualification in Business (Human Resources) Law and/or Industrial Relations and/or Employee Relations
Experience as a specialist ER / IR role in a large and complex organisation will be highly regarded; or working either as a lawyer (2 4 years post admission experience) in a law firm or inhouse
An expert understanding of the operation of the Fair Work Act and other employment legislation
Experience in the Fair Work Commission state and federal courts and state and federal tribunals including conducting conciliation conferences in the Fair Work Commission
What we offer
Be recognised for your contribution youre thinking and your hard work and go home knowing youve helped the world progress.
A work environment where safety is always the number one priority
A permanent position working directly for Rio Tinto
Comprehensive medical benefits including subsidised private health insurance for employees and immediate family
Attractive share ownership plan
Company provided insurance cover
Extensive salary sacrifice & salary packaging options
Career development & education assistance to further your technical or leadership ambitions
Ongoing access to family-friendly health and medical wellbeing support
Leave for all of lifes reasons(vacation/annual paid parental sick leave)
Exclusive employee discounts (banking accommodation cars retail and more
Where youll be working
The HR function supports 46 000 employees in around 36 countries and operates out of three business hubs in Brisbane Perth and Montreal. Data science roles have diverse multi-industry backgrounds and comprehensive skills in the fields of data modelling engineering and visualisation as well as advanced analytics techniques including machine learning and optimisation. These skills are used to turn data into information that can be used to make improved decisions that generate a competitive advantage for Rio Tinto.
Applications close onThursdaythe 16thof July 2026 (Rio Tinto reserves the right to remove advertised roles prior to this date).
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About Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore copper aluminium critical minerals and other materials needed for the global energy transition and for people communities and nations to thrive.
We have been mining for 150 years and operate with knowledge built up across generations and continents. Our purpose is finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs striving for innovation and continuous improvement to produce materials with low emissions and to the right environmental social and governance standards. But we cant do it on our own so were focused on creating partnerships to solve problems create win-win situations and meet opportunities.
Respect and Inclusion
At Rio Tinto we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people women the LGBTI community mature workers people with disabilities and people from different cultural backgrounds.
We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable to be themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome they are essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race gender nationality ethnic origin religion age sexual orientation or anything else that makes us different.
Required Experience:
IC
About Company
Rio Tinto is a leading global mining group that focuses on finding, mining and processing the Earth’s mineral resources. Discover more about Rio Tinto's mining operations today.