Job Description:
We’re on the search for a Workplace Relations Lawyer for the Australian Retail Council (ARC), the unified voice of the retail community in Australia.
ARC Legal is a specialist workplace relations and employment law practice supporting employers across the retail and service sectors. We partner closely with industry to deliver practical, commercial advice that helps businesses navigate complex workplace challenges with confidence.
We’re growing — and looking for a talented Workplace Relations Lawyer to join our team.
About the Role:
This is a unique opportunity to step away from traditional private practice and into a role where your work is genuinely valued by clients.
You’ll work closely with employer members, providing clear, pragmatic advice on a wide range of workplace relations matters. No two days are the same — from interpreting modern awards to supporting performance management, responding to disputes, and delivering training.
This role is ideal for a lawyer who enjoys building relationships, solving real problems, and being seen as a trusted advisor — not just a technical expert.
This is a hands-on position suited to someone who is organised, detail-oriented and motivated by meaningful work.
What you’ll be doing
- Owning the flow of matters – working closely with our lawyers to progress workplace relations matters from first instruction through to resolution, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks
- Being at the frontline of employer support – delivering clear, practical and commercially sound advice to ARC members across the full employee lifecycle, from hiring through to exit
- Navigating real workplace challenges – advising on complex and sensitive issues including performance management, misconduct, grievances, bullying and harassment, restructures and redundancies
- Making the law accessible – translating technical workplace relations concepts into straightforward, actionable guidance for employers
- Supporting our Workplace Hotline – providing timely, empathetic and solutions-focused advice to employers when they need it most
- Driving compliance confidence – assisting employers to understand and meet their wage and award obligations, with a strong focus on risk mitigation
- Staying ahead of the curve – keeping up to date with developments in workplace and employment law and contributing to how we share those insights with members
- Keeping things running seamlessly – maintaining accurate digital files and providing high-quality legal and administrative support to ensure matters progress efficiently and professionally
About You:
You’ll thrive in this role if you:
- Have experience in workplace relations / employment law, either in private practice, in-house, or within an advisory environment
- Are confident interpreting and applying workplace relations legislation, modern awards and enterprise agreements in a practical, real-world context
- Provide clear, commercially focused advice and can translate complex legal issues into straightforward, actionable guidance for employers
- Are comfortable advising on day-to-day and complex employee relations matters, including performance management, misconduct, grievances, bullying and harassment, and termination processes
- Have experience managing competing priorities across multiple matters, while maintaining strong attention to detail and follow-through
- Communicate with clarity and professionalism, both verbally and in writing, including in time-sensitive or high-pressure situations
- Build trusted relationships with clients and stakeholders, and take a solutions-focused, service-oriented approach
- Handle sensitive and confidential matters with sound judgment and discretion
- Enjoy working both independently and as part of a collaborative, high-performing team
We’d be particularly interested in candidates who also bring:
- Exposure to employment litigation, wage compliance and award interpretation, including identifying and managing risk areas
- Experience delivering advice via a hotline or high-volume advisory environment
- Confidence contributing to training, webinars, or written thought leadership (e.g. articles, guides, client updates)
A Bachelor of Laws is required.
About Us:
The Australian Retail Council (ARC) is the unified voice for the retail community in Australia. It represents a $444 billion sector that employs 1.4 million Australians across metropolitan, regional, and remote communities – making retail the largest private sector employer in the country and a significant contributor to the Australian economy.
Our membership spans the spectrum of retail, from family-owned small and independent retailers that make up 95% of our membership, through to our largest national and international retailers that employ thousands of Australians and support both metropolitan and regional communities every day.
We are committed to ensuring every Australian respects and celebrates the sustaining contribution of retail to our nation.
We encourage all applicants, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Australian South Sea Islander people, people with disability, LGBTIQ and culturally diverse candidates to apply.
We support flexible working arrangements for employees which allows balancing working from home and working from our offices.
To Apply:
If you are interested in joining a highly respected membership organisation that values respect, integrity, collaboration, accountability, and a focus on excellence, please apply.
Please submit your CV and a Cover Letter addressing the selection criteria.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
