The Director – Industrial Relations and Policy is responsible for leading the organisation’s industrial relations strategy, employment law initiatives, and policy advocacy. This role ensures Master Builders ACT (MBA ACT) members receive expert guidance on employment and industrial relations matters while also managing high-level policy development and advocacy efforts.

Key responsibilities include providing industrial relations and general HR support to members, representing the organization in key forums, developing industry policies, and leading member education initiatives. The Director also plays a strategic role in stakeholder engagement, representing MBA ACT in discussions with government agencies, unions, and industry bodies.

This position reports directly to the CEO and manages a small team.

The Director will work closely with internal leadership and external stakeholders to advocate for industry interests, ensure compliance with employment law, and drive policy initiatives that support the building and construction sector in the ACT.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Industrial Relations and Employment Law

Lead the organisation’s industrial relations and employment law initiatives by:

• Managing employment and industrial relations inquiries from members, including matters related to employment contracts, Enterprise Agreements, and Workplace Policies.

• Provide expert advice and guidance on the Security of Payments framework.

• Representing the organization in national industrial relations forums.

• Establishing and maintaining critical stakeholder relationships to proactively monitor industrial action.

• Developing and maintaining industry-standard rates of pay, the Rostered Days Off (RDO) calendar, and the HR Toolkit.

• Supporting members with general contract and workplace safety-related queries.

• Preparing member advisory notes and supporting materials as needed on industrial and employment activity.

• Ensuring timely member support, including same-day callbacks, email responses, reporting dashboards, and regular follow-ups with Master Builders members.

2. Policy and Advocacy

• Developing high-quality submissions, issue briefings, and government correspondence.

• Maintaining comprehensive submissions register.

• Serving as the Secretariat for the Master Builders ACT Member Safety Group.

• Representing the organization in government meetings, policy discussions, and industry forums.

• Conducting and contributing to thought leadership research on relevant industry topics.

• Managing attendance and representation on local and national committees.

• Designing and executing advocacy campaigns as required.

3. Member Education

• Overseeing all aspects of regulatory education for Master Builders ACT members.

• Contributing to member communications, including e-newsletters and social media updates.

• Identify and develop new resources for development.

• Coordinating and delivering member webinars.

• Attending member sector meetings to provide essential industrial relations and policy updates.

4. Additional Responsibilities

• Managing and providing leadership to two team members.

• Supporting internal people and culture initiatives as needed.

• Undertaking other duties as directed by the CEO.

Essential Requirements:

Education:

• Degree qualified in law, industrial relations or another related field.

Experience:

• Knowledge and interest in the ACT building and construction industry preferred.

• Strong knowledge of the Australian industrial relations framework and ability to deliver Fair Work Commission advocacy.

Master Builders Association of the ACT

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