Team Leader Employment Relations

Team Leader Employment Relations

For over 150 years, our schools, colleges, early learning centres and out of school care programs, have been an integral part of education in Western Australia. Together we form the state’s second-largest education provider, with more than 83,000 students relying on our nearly 14,000 dedicated staff each day. We are committed to fostering an environment where every child can achieve their full potential, and our office teams support schools to do exactly that.

The Role

The role of Team Leader Employment Relations belongs to the Human Resources team in the People and Culture directorate. We have 5 office campuses across the state and this role will be based at our West Leederville office.

This is a full-time position with tenure ranging from a 5-year contract to ongoing, depending on appointment commencing as soon as possible.

The purpose of this role is to provide strategic leadership in Industrial and Workplace Relations by building trusted, productive relationships with school and Office leaders and employees, and by leading a high-performing team to deliver consistent, compliant, and contemporary IR and ER practices across CEWA.

Primary Accountabilities of the role include:

Workplace and Employment Relations Strategy and Advice

• Provide authoritative interpretation, advice, and strategic guidance to school and Office leaders on Industrial Awards, Enterprise Agreements, employment legislation, and CEWA policies, ensuring legislative compliance and contemporary, best-practice IR and ER outcomes across the organisation.
• Provide expert guidance and oversight to school and Office stakeholders in relation to performance management, grievance resolution, equal opportunity, and disciplinary matters, supporting fair, timely, and constructive outcomes that balance individual and organisational needs.
• Act as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert in all industrial and employment relations matters, using data analysis, trend monitoring, and early identification of emerging risks to make informed recommendations that support a harmonious, productive, and compliant employment relations environment.
• Review and manage the CEWA Office conditions of employment and oversee the ongoing effectiveness, efficiency, and compliance of CEWA’s IR, ER, and employment policies, processes, and practices.

Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing Employment Relations team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, professional growth, and continuous improvement, and ensuring the team has the capability and confidence to deliver high-quality, consistent advice and services.
• Support and quality-assure complex performance and disciplinary matters, reviewing advice and recommendations to ensure consistency, procedural fairness, and positive, sustainable outcomes for employees and CEWA.
• Establish clear performance expectations for the team, actively manage workload and priorities, and invest in the ongoing development, capability uplift, and succession planning of IR, ER, and HR professionals.
• Lead the development and delivery of high-quality resources, guidance materials, and learning opportunities that build capability and confidence among leaders and stakeholders in managing IR and ER matters effectively.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, including legal advisors, unions, and regulatory bodies, to ensure CEWA’s policies, practices, and responses meet legislative and industrial obligations.
• Respond to complex and sensitive inquiries from key stakeholders, facilitating constructive communication, resolving issues, and providing clear, practical advice aligned with CEWA’s values and obligations.
• Work closely with peers across the People and Culture function to build strong, trusted relationships and ensure service design and delivery are integrated, consistent, and aligned to CEWA’s strategic workforce and organisational objectives.

Benefits of the role

• A competitive salary: Level L on the CEWA salary scale [$169,821 - $192,025 per annum] plus superannuation.
• An additional superannuation contribution of 2.5% above the current superannuation guarantee.
• Additional paid leave during office closures over Christmas and Easter.
• System Leaders Renewal Leave.
• Salary packaging options in line with our not-for-profit status, including novated leasing.
• Deferred salary program for eligible employees after two years of service.
• Free onsite parking.
• Corporate health insurance discounts.
• Access to the Fitness Passport program.
• Employee Assistance Program: access confidential counselling and wellbeing support for yourself and your family.
• Ongoing professional learning opportunities, including a CEWA scholarship program to support further education.
• Flexible work arrangements, where operationally appropriate.
• Wellbeing initiatives including annual flu vaccinations and workplace health checks.
• Parental leave provisions above statutory minimums.

Selection Criteria

A.   ESSENTIAL

1. Prepared to support the Catholic ethos in the performance of their duties.  
2. Relevant tertiary qualification plus commensurate experience.
3. Significant experience with Industrial and Employment Relations matters including the interpretation and negotiation of Awards and Agreements and representing employers in relevant industrial courts and commissions.
4. Proven capacity for leadership, innovation and a commitment to staff development.
5. High level ability to develop and implement negotiation and bargaining strategies, including leading or advising on the management of complex IR/ER processes and dispute resolution processes.
6. High level ability to identify, develop and deliver quality professional advice on workplace relations policy and practice.
7. Proven ability to develop relationships and partnerships across the system and influence stakeholders (internal and external) at all levels.
8. Ability to objectively coach key internal and external stakeholders at all levels of the organisation through complex, difficult, and emotional issues.
9. Demonstrated ability to make recommendations to effectively resolve problems or issues, by using judgment that is consistent with standards, practices, policies, procedures, and legislation.
10. Demonstrated ability to critically analyse issues and develop and implement effective strategies and solutions that support CEWA's goals and values.
11. High level of professional integrity and awareness of the need for confidentiality and privacy in all IR/WR matters.

B.        HIGHLY DESIRABLE

1. Proficiency in the use of technology, specifically M365 applications and HRIS systems.

Information for Applicants

To access a copy of the Position Description please click here

Interested applicants should submit:

• A cover letter briefly addressing the selection criteria.
• A curriculum vitae outlining their employment history, qualifications and certifications and include a minimum of two professional references.

The successful applicant will need to provide:

• National criminal history check as issued by the Department of Education WA.
• 100 points of identification
• Evidence of professional qualifications applicable to the role

Applications for this role close no later than 5pm Tuesday 17 February 2026. We reserve the right to close the advertisement early if a suitable candidate is identified. If you're interested in this role, we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to ensure consideration.

If you require support with submitting your application, please contact our Talent Advisors at careers@cewa.edu.au. Applications can be submitted by clicking apply and uploading your application to our website. Applications will not be accepted via email.

All employees of Catholic Education Western Australia are required to support the Catholic ethos in the performance of their duties. Catholic Education Western Australia also encourages applications from people of all cultural backgrounds, First Nations people, and individuals with disabilities or medical conditions who meet the requirements of the position. To be eligible to apply, you must be legally permitted to work in Australia.