Industrial Relations Analyst

The Industrial Relations Analyst plays a critical role in supporting the interpretation and application of enterprise agreements, modern awards, determinations and payroll-related employment conditions. This role provides expert analysis and advisory support to ensure industrial instruments are translated accurately into payroll, people systems and operational processes. Working closely with Industrial Relations, Payroll, People Services and key business stakeholders, the position helps strengthen compliance, governance and risk management while driving consistent and practical outcomes. The role also contributes to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance industrial relations capability, payroll integrity and employee experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert industrial relations analysis and advice on enterprise agreements, modern awards, determinations and payroll-impacting employment conditions.
• Interpret employment instruments and translate complex requirements into clear operational, payroll and system implications.
• Support enterprise agreement implementation, maintenance and configuration by assessing impacts, identifying risks and documenting assumptions and recommendations.
• Partner with Payroll, People Services, Industrial Relations and business stakeholders to resolve interpretation queries and ensure compliant payroll outcomes.
• Conduct research and analysis to support workplace relations compliance, wage reviews, entitlement assessments, investigations and remediation activities.
• Prepare high-quality briefing papers, interpretation guides, recommendations, decision records and governance documentation to support informed decision-making.
• Review payroll rules, processes and controls to identify risks, gaps and opportunities for improved compliance, governance and operational effectiveness.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by developing scalable tools, guidance materials and processes that support consistent application of employment instruments.

What You Will Bring

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Industrial Relations, Employment Relations, Law, Human Resources or a related discipline.
• Experience interpreting and applying enterprise agreements, modern awards, employment legislation and workplace policies within a complex operational environment.
• Strong understanding of payroll compliance, employment conditions, wage reviews, entitlement assessments and audit requirements.
• Demonstrated analytical and research skills, with the ability to assess risks, identify impacts and provide practical, evidence-based recommendations.
• Excellent written communication skills, including experience preparing reports, briefing papers, guidance materials and stakeholder-facing documentation.
• Strong stakeholder management capability, with the ability to build trusted relationships and communicate complex information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• High attention to detail, sound judgement and the ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining confidentiality and compliance standards.

Benefits Of Working with Downer

• Work with an ASX listed company, working with market leaders.
• Grow your career with us, we are passionate about giving our people opportunities to grow through personal and professional development and continuous learning:
  • Professional development programs
    • Access to professional memberships and industry networks
• Be part of a team that cares, we foster a work environment built on support that is flexible around our employee’s wellbeing needs:
  • Flexible work arrangements
    • Parental leave
    • Employee Assistance Program
    • Programs promoting diversity and inclusion
• A range of Corporate Benefits, including: 
  • Discounted services (car hires, hotels, insurance, retail stores, gyms)

Why Downer?

As a trusted name in infrastructure, transport, facilities management, and construction, Downer is committed to delivering projects that create a lasting, positive legacy. We’re committed to building a team that reflects the diverse communities we serve, and we welcome people of all ages, genders, sexual orientations, cultures, abilities, and lived experiences. We especially encourage applications from those whose voices have traditionally been underrepresented in our industry, including women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Māori and Pasifika Peoples, veterans, people with disability, and neurodivergent individuals.  Even if your experience doesn’t align perfectly with this role, we’d still like to hear from you. If it feels like the right fit, apply - potential counts, and so do you.

As a WORK180 Endorsed Employer, we support flexibility that works for your life, inclusive leadership that values your voice, and equitable access to opportunity so you can do your best work and bring your whole self to it.