Unions NSW is the peak council of trade unions in NSW representing over 600,000 members and 60 affiliated unions and trades and labor councils and is part of the broader trade union movement.

Unions NSW is looking for a Senior Legal / Industrial Officer to join our Industrial and Research Team on a full-time basis.

Job Role and the Industrial Team

The Senior Legal / Industrial Officer will primarily work as part of the industrial team and individually to provide high quality, professional and timely advice to assist in the achievement of sound industrial outcomes for members.

The successful candidate will need strong attention to detail and a through knowledge of industrial law.

The industrial team also works on projects in conjunction with the campaigns team and participates in broader organisational actions.

Responsibilities

Senior Legal / Industrial Officer responsibilities at Unions NSW include:

Industrial and legal research;

drafting policy and law reform submissions;

All aspects of industrial and legal case work;

Coordinating multi-union state award and federal enterprise agreement negotiations;

As required assist affiliates in their industrial and legal casework;

Managing a broad range of matters including:

Assisting affiliates in disputes before various courts and tribunals including the NSW Industrial Relations Commission, the Fair Work Commission and Step 3 mediations

Drafting submissions for NSW and Federal Parliamentary inquiries;

Preparing and delivering training and seminars to affiliates on their industrial rights and obligations; and

Provide advice and training on industrial and legal rights.

Review and assist Unions NSW in internal legal and industrial matters including:

Specific review of service contracts

Training and compliance assistance to Union leadership on legal issues

Communicate and collaborate professionally with internal and external peers, stakeholders and clients to promote Unions NSW

Essential Criteria:

Qualifications

Bachelor of Laws

Minimum 3 years PAE experience

Will consider candidates with experience at equivalent level working as an Industrial Officer for a union

Skills and Competencies

Demonstrated experience in negotiations and bargaining.

Demonstrated experience in advocacy and case management

Advanced industrial and legal research skills

Advanced capacity to prioritise work, exercise judgement, initiative, while providing high level support within a highly charged environment.

Advanced ability to manage conflicting demands in an environment subject to sudden change.

Willingness and ability to adapt to varied demands, including out of hours work, sometimes at short notice.

High level of interpersonal and communication skills and including public speaking.

High level organisational skills.

High level problem solving, decision making skills.

Proactive and self-directed while also working as a positive team member

A clear understanding and commitment to trade union principles

Well-developed information technology skills with proven competence in the application of Microsoft Office suite

Desirable Criteria

Bilingual / multilingual

Conditions and Entitlements

Personal Leave: 10 days per annum (accumulative)

Annual Leave: 5 weeks annual leave with 17.5% leave loading

Long Service Leave: 2 months after 10 years’ service

Superannuation: 11.5% employer contributions 13.5% for female staff.

Parental Leave: 52 weeks leave including 22 weeks paid parental leave or 3 weeks paid parental leave non-primary carer

Salary will be subject to qualifications and experience of the success candidate.

Unions NSW encourages applications from people who will enhance our diversity of people, cultural experiences, and perspectives.

How to apply

Unions NSW encourages applications from people who will enhance our diversity of people, cultural experiences, and perspectives.

1. To apply for this role, please submit a CV (of no more than 3 pages) and a separate Cover Letter addressing the Essential Criteria.

2. Send copies of your CV and Cover Letter to Ms. Amy Patrk via email: HR@unionsnsw.org.au

3. Applications close 5:00pm on Friday 20 June 2025

For inquiries, please contact Unions NSW on (02) 9881 5999

Unions NSW

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