Full job description
TAFE SA
Job reference: 680126
Location: 5000 - ADELAIDE
Job status: Long Term Contract
Eligibility: Open to Everyone
MANAGER, EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
Long term contract until August 2026
Based at TAFE SA Adelaide City Campus
AS08 salary range $121,107 - $127,67+ p.a. + super
About TAFE SA
Awarded the Training Provider of the Year at the 2021, 2022 and 2024 SA Training Awards, TAFE SA ensures all South Australian students have access to quality education and skills training across a number of regional and metropolitan locations.
By working with TAFE SA, you’ll have the opportunity to advance your career in a diverse and inclusive organisation, while helping to deliver job-ready skills and meaningful outcomes for students across our state.
About the role
Are you ready to shape the future of employee relations in one of South Australia’s most respected public sector organisations?
TAFE SA is looking for a passionate and experienced leader to take on the role of Manager, Employee Relations. This is a high – impact opportunity to lead a dedicated team and drive proactive, solutions – focused outcomes that reinforce TAFE SA’s standing as a leading employer of choice.
In this key leadership role, you’ll work in close collaboration with the Workforce Alignment team to streamline processes, influence strategic outcomes, and ensure best – practice approaches to employee and industrial relations. You’ll serve as a trusted advisor, offering expert guidance on complex and sensitive matters while ensuring TAFE SA’s interests are represented with professionalism and integrity.
Success in this role hinges on your ability to engage confidently with a broad range of stakeholders – including senior leaders, unions and government agencies – to build constructive relationships and support a high – performing, values – driven workforce.
This is your chance to make a meaningful impact – shaping the employee relations culture of TAFE SA while upholding the core public sector values of integrity, accountability, and service.
Key Outcomes of this role
Champion employment practices and policies that reflect TAFE SA’s commitment to being a model public sector employer – proactive, compliant, and future – focused.
Deliver expert, practical advice on complex employee relations matters, ensuring timely, fair, and compliant resolution in line with legislation and industrial obligations.
Assist with representing TAFE SA with integrity in escalated matters before the South Australian Employment Tribunal and other forums, achieving outcomes aligned with organisational values.
Lead strategic oversight of industrial relations risks, guiding the Employee Relations team to address emerging issues before they escalate.
Oversee the development and continuous improvement of employee – related policies, procedures, and frameworks to ensure legal compliance and operational alignment.
In collaboration with stakeholders, strategically direct enterprise bargaining and formal negotiations delivering outcomes aligned with TAFE SA’s strategic employee relations framework.
Build organisational capability by mentoring the Employee Relations team and supporting leaders across TAFE SA in best – practice approaches to people management.
Foster effective and respectful consultation with union stakeholders, promoting constructive dialogue and continuous improvement in engagement practices.
Provide clear, strategic advice and insights to the Director, Workforce Alignment, ensuring emerging issues and opportunities are addressed proactively.
Essential Key Selection Criteria
Ability to work within a team, lead and support a team, demonstrate initiative, be self – motivated and maintain confidentiality and professional integrity in all correspondence.
Ability to prioritise and manage tasks whilst under time duress while ensuring high – quality outcomes that meet stakeholder expectations, both personally and through effective delegation.
Proven ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders both verbally and in writing, including high – level briefings, letters, reports, project briefs and discussion papers, and guiding team contributions where appropriate.
Demonstrated ability to resolve conflict, solve problems and conduct difficult negotiations with proven advocacy skills.
Demonstrated ability to develop, implement and evaluate policies and recommended improvements to existing policies and practices across TAFE SA.
Demonstrated experience in the interpretation and application of relevant industrial instruments; examples are but not limited to awards, acts and agreements, and supporting others in developing this knowledge.
Proven experience in developing and maintaining effective networks, alliances and operational relationships with internal and external clients and stakeholders that fosters strong credibility.
Ability to think strategically, identify and analyse problems, formulate creative solutions, and implement appropriate courses of action.
Knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture and community, and a commitment to culturally respectful practices in the workplace.
For more information regarding this position, please refer to the Role Descriptor.
Special Conditions
The successful applicant is required to demonstrate having a valid DHS Working With Children Check (WWCC) prior to being employed. Applicants who do not hold a WWCC will need to apply at Department of Human Services (DHS).
Some out of hours work may be required
Some intrastate and interstate travel may be required.
Incumbent will be required to participate in the department’s Performance Development Program
Eligibility to work in Australia.
Please refer to the Role Descriptor for all Special Conditions.
Application Instructions
All applications must be submitted online.
For further information on how to apply for this position, please refer to the attached application guidelines and Role Descriptor.
Your application must address all Key Selection Criteria as listed in the Role Description. Provide examples outlining your skills, experience, and knowledge of each criterion, and how you put them into practice. It is important that you identify skills you may have which are not explicitly specified in the Role Descriptor and yet, in your opinion, would enable you to perform well in the position.
Inclusion and Flexibility Statement
At TAFE SA, we ensure our workplaces are safe, inclusive, supportive, and respectful. We do not accept discrimination, harassment, or violence of any kind. As an Equal Opportunity employer, we strongly encourage applications from First Nations people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, LGBTIQA+ and people living with disability.
TAFE SA offers a range of work options to attract and retain great staff, including part-time. We support employees to manage their work-life balance at all stages of their lives. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.
Enquiries
Katie Toop
Manager Employee Relations
Ph: 883483+35
E: katie.toop@tafesa.edu.au
Applications Close 11:45pm 28/06/2025
Applications close: 28/06/2025 11:45 PM
Flexibility Statement
The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.
Read more
