Senior Employee & Industrial Relations Adviser

We know great results come from our people feeling valued, getting the support they need to reach their full potential as well as bring their whole self to work. We also recognise that enduring, meaningful relationships with communities are fundamental to maintaining our licence to operate.

Technology and innovation are essential to our long-term sustainability. We are growing our carbon and new energy businesses using technology to reduce emissions and the carbon footprint of our products. We are working to improving energy efficiency, offset emissions, reduce emissions intensity and explore options for lower-carbon energy. Woodside led the development of the LNG industry in Australia and is applying this same pioneering spirit to solving future energy challenges.

Our global headquarters arebased in Perth and our state-of-the-art campus reflects the quality of life Perth is known for - with a six Green Star rating, advanced wellness features and flexibility in how you work.

We recognise that a key contributor to our success is an inclusive culture that promotes diversity and a sense of belonging.

Flexible work arrangements including part-time hours or partial work-from-home options will be considered - please indicate on your resume if you wish to be considered for a position with flexible working arrangements.

The primary purpose of this role is to serve as the subject matter expert for employee and labor relations matters for the international region which includes but is not limited todeveloping and executingtactics and plans including maintaining a system of work designed to ensure fair, transparent, and equitable treatment of employees with the objective of maintaining direct engagement and continuity of operations.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Ensure all domestic and international supply chain activity and project developments are assessed for industrial relations risk. Review project strategies and plans and adapt to changed circumstances or adjust objectives if required.
• Ensure contextually appropriate strategies, objectives and plans are in place pre-award in line with Woodside strategic and tactical objectives.
• Monitor supply chain and coordinate internal and external stakeholders and manage industrial disputes on the supply chain or projects in accordance with Woodside objectives.
• Provide strategic and tactical management of pre- and post-employment employee disputes through engagement with unions and employee legal representation.
• Manage and instruct external counsel to represent Woodside interests in employee related disputes, including case strategy, critical document review, evidence gathering etc.
• Provide strategic and tactical advice on employee relations strategies in line with Woodsides operational philosophy consistent with business objectives and legislative obligations.
• Provide input to external employer associations directly on workplace relations and employee relations policy.
• Supporting risk management to ensure projects are uninterrupted and meet schedule and cost objectives.

TECHNICAL

• Understanding of Federal and State based employment legislation including the FLSA & related legislation e.g., safety, workers compensation.
• Provide advice on interpreting statutes, collective agreements, contracts and policies and reviewing/drafting of associated documents.
• Understanding of Woodside internal systems and ability to develop WMS compliant IP for use within recent acquisitions to ensure smooth transition into Woodside operatorship.
• Understanding of international employment jurisdictions so that strategies and management plans for overseas projects are contextually relevant and compliant.
• Lead or support collective agreement negotiations including mandate development; strategies to achieve mandate; guidance on legal and operational mitigations.
• Translate technical industrial relations knowledge into commercial and contracting strategies that align to overall project industrial relations strategies.

LEADERSHIP

• Establish key relationships with external stakeholders (contractors, unions & employer associations) to influence strategy.
• Influence, mentor and translate technical knowledge to the broader HR community.
• Direct, facilitate and influence key internal stakeholders (Project Management, HR, HSEQ, Legal, Contracts and Procurement) to align around project and/or work package IR objectives

EXCELLENCE

• Demonstrate a deep understanding of business priorities and goals and ensuring employee relations and industrial relations strategies align according to Woodsides interests.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse contextual risks and ensuring strategies are proportionate and suited to organisation goals and priorities.
• Internally recognised as a strategic and tactical expert that can translate risk to operations to multiple stakeholders. Deep understanding of operational and commercial implications that ER decisions may have an impact on the business.

WORK PROCESSES & SYSTEMS

• Develop and maintain scalable contractual frameworks for domestic and international jurisdictions to support operational priorities and IR objectives.
• Develop and maintain tools that align to legislative frameworks (risk assessments, counselling and grievance register, right of entry register) to assess employee relations risk and performance on a systematic basis and implement proactive risk mitigation activities.

HSEQ

• Ensure workplace investigations, performance management, and change management is conducted in a manner consistent with safety related legislation.
• Ensure supply chain contractors have scalable systems to manage safety related industrial relations risk, e.g., right of entry, workplace investigations, performance management, delegates rights etc.

• This position requires an individual who has significant employee and labor relations experience, deep subject matter knowledge, and strong communication and interpersonal skills that enables the individual to work successfully on a broad spectrum of employee relations issues and projects.
• Able to handle confidential information in a mature and professional manner.
• Team player with strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and persuasion skills, enabling individual to establish partnerships working with senior leaders and across organizational lines.
• Ability to apply legal rules to be able to interpret statutes, contracts and industrial instruments in the provision of advice and policy formulation.
• Ability to facilitate Woodsides interests in relation to representation before external industrial bodies and the ability to instruct external counsel.
• Strong analytical skills, abstract reasoning, numeracy and literacy.
• Strong influencing skills and able to manage and cope with conflict (internal and external).
• Strong advocacy skills.
• Background in operational and strategic employment relations is highly desirable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor Degree in Commerce, Economics, Law, Human Resources (Industrial Relations).
• 8+ years of experience

If you think you can do this job but don't meet all the criteria, that's OK! Please apply. At Woodside, we value people with diverse experiences and backgrounds, as they provide unique perspectives that help us innovate.

What you can expect from us:

• Commitment to your ongoing development, including on-the-job opportunities, formal programs, coaching and mentoring
• Industry-leading 18weeks' paid parental leave for primary carer,and maintenance ofsuperannuation or retirement benefits at the current rate during any period of unpaid parental leave for up to 24 months(plus secondary carer leave entitlements)
• Values led culture
• Active employee community groups for gender equality, reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, and LGBTI+ staff and allies, and Neurodiversity
• Community volunteering opportunities
• Relocation assistance (if required)
• A competitive remuneration package featuring performance-based incentives and above-industry superannuation contributions

Woodside is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce culture, which is supported by our Values. Our aim is to attract, develop and retain a truly diverse and high-performing workforce.

Diversity encompasses differences in age, nationality, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, intersex status, gender identity or expression, relationship status, disability, neurodiversity, cultural background, thinking styles, experience, family background, including caregiving commitments, and education. Inclusion centres on all employees creating a climate of trust and belonging, where people feel comfortable to bring their whole self to work.

We offer supportive pathways for all employees to grow and develop leadership skills. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and those seeking a more flexible working environment, including part-time opportunities

Applications close at 11:59pm AWST onFriday, July 25, 2025.

Click APPLY to submit your application

Please note Woodside Energy will only accept direct candidate applications. We do not accept applications from Recruitment Agencies.