Manager – Workplace Relations

At David Jones, we are creating a place where people can thrive. As one of Australia's most iconic retailers, we bring together heritage, innovation and a shared ambition to inspire Like No Other. Over the last few years, the business has undergone significant transformation through the delivery of Vision 25, and we are now focused on the next phase of our evolution through Inspire 30.  

Our People & Culture function is central to that — helping shape the experiences, leadership capability, workplace strategy and operating model that enable our people and business to evolve, adapt and thrive. 

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Workplace Relations specialist and strong people leader to join a fast-paced, dynamic team at a pivotal time. If you are energised by complexity, commercially minded and passionate about leading a high-performing workplace relations practice, this is a role where you can make a real impact. 

About the opportunity 

As Manager – Workplace Relations, you will lead the David Jones workplace and industrial relations function, driving fair, consistent and commercially sound outcomes across the business. You will partner closely with senior leaders and People Business Partners to provide strategic and tactical advice on enterprise bargaining, employment risk, workforce engagement and complex people matters. 

Reporting to the GM Partnering & Workplace Relations, and leading a small team of ER Advisors, this is an enterprise role with high autonomy to lead a proactive workplace relations function for David Jones.

What your day looks like 

• Leading the workplace and industrial relations function across David Jones. 

• Providing expert advice on complex ER matters, including investigations, disciplinaries, disputes and terminations. 

• Ensuring policies and practices are applied fairly, consistently and in line with legislative requirements. 

• Developing and delivering enterprise agreement strategies aligned to business priorities. 

• Leading enterprise bargaining and managing union relationships across a large, multi-site workforce across our Retail Stores and our NSW Distribution Centre 

• Leading, coaching and developing a high-performing Workplace Relations team. 

• Overseeing a small team of ER Advisors who handle ER case management, ensuring timely resolution, sound judgement and effective risk mitigation. 

• Driving continuous improvement across ER processes, frameworks and documentation. 

• Providing strategic advice on employment risk, Fair Work matters, claims and litigation. 

• Staying ahead of legislative change and translating it into practical business action. 

• Building ER/IR capability across the broader People & Culture team and leadership cohort. 
  
  
  What you’ll need to Thrive 

• Proven experience leading employee and industrial relations functions in a complex organisation. 

• Prior experience leading enterprise agreement bargaining and negotiations. 

• Demonstrated success managing union relationships across large-scale workforces. 

• Extensive experience managing complex ER cases, claims and Fair Work matters. 

• Proven people leadership experience, including leading and developing specialist teams. 

• Deep knowledge of Australian employment law and industrial relations frameworks. 

• Strong capability in employment risk management and mitigation. 

• High-level judgement and decision-making in complex environments. 

• Strong stakeholder management and influencing capability. 

• A commercial mindset with the ability to balance risk and business outcomes. 

• A leadership style that empowers your team to thrive and grow, whilst driving consistency and operational excellence. 

Why David Jones 

This is more than a specialist workplace relations role — it is an opportunity to shape how David Jones manages employment risk, engages its workforce and partners with leaders to navigate complex people matters. You will join a business continuing to invest in its future, customer experience and people, and a culture built around being Customer Obsessed, Inclusive, Empowered and Innovative. 

You will also have access to benefits that support life inside and outside work, including: 

• Unique opportunity to be part of a highly engaged, successful team, focused on the transformation of an iconic Australian brand

• A competitive remuneration package including performance-based incentives

• Hybrid working arrangements in office and from home that provide appropriate work/life balance

• Parental leave policy of 18-weeks paid leave for the primary carer, and 3-weeks paid leave for the supporting partner

• Generous employee discounts across David Jones and access to partner benefits

• An additional day of leave for your birthday along with time to support charitable work

• Opportunities to support community partnerships across our Corporate Social Responsibility program

• Be a member of a company committed to sustainable practices, driving change in the retail landscape

• Ongoing training and development to pursue individual ambitions

About us 

Since 1838, David Jones has been synonymous with innovation, inspiration and premium retail in Australia. Today, our vision to inspire Like No Other continues to shape the future of our business, and our people are at the heart of that journey. 

David Jones is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to let us know at the time of application so we can support you through the recruitment process.