Employee Relations Specialist

Employee Relations Specialist

• Join a global network and diverse team encouraged to offer unique perspectives and build knowledge and connections.

• Flexible working arrangements available – work from home as well as spend time in the office

• Perth based. Permanent, Full Time and Part Time opportunities available

About the role

Finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs.

We are looking for an Employee Relations Specialist to provide strategic and operational employee relations and industrial relations advice to a diverse group of business units that support the achievement of Rio Tinto's business objectives through an engaged workforce. 

This role is an opportunity to bring your technical expertise and values based leadership to work everyday.

We are an open, connected global team that includes some of the industry’s best and brightest minds. We offer competitive, performance-focused remuneration and a wide range of benefits to reward your contribution. With a global reach, the opportunities to develop and grow your career are broad and exciting.

Reporting to the Manager, Employee Relations APAC you will be involved in interesting and diverse work, including:

• Providing employee relations and industrial relations advice to site-based HR teams and operational leaders in relation to case management, investigation processes, grievances and dispute resolution, fair treatment claims and policy application

• Advising on interpretation and application of industrial instruments, employment legislation and policies

• Advising and supporting HR and operational team members on a range of industrial relations matters, including right of entry, award and EBA application and dispute resolution

• Drafting a range of employment documents

• Building capability through coaching, development and training of the human resources team and frontline leaders

• Design, develop and execute projects individually or as a team member addressing ER issues or employee engagement opportunities 

• Developing strong collaborative relationships with leaders within the HR function and the broader business

• Managing external disputes on behalf of the company, including preparing relevant applications, responses and providing representation in various jurisdictions

• Championing Rio Tinto’s people strategy around Everyday Respect

• Visiting our operations across Western Australia as required

What you’ll bring

• A commitment ot the safety of yourself and your team

• A tertiary qualification in Law, and/or Industrial Relations and/or Employee Relations

• Demonstrated experience working either as a lawyer (2 – 4 years’ post admission experience) in a law firm or inhouse, or in a specialist ER / IR role in a large and complex organisation will be highly regarded. A current legal practising certificate will be highly regarded, but not essential

• An expert understanding of the operation of the Fair Work Act and other employment legislation

• Experience in the Fair Work Commission, state and federal courts and state and federal tribunals, including conducting conciliation conferences in the Fair Work Commission

• Sound judgement with the ability to think critically and provide holistic and practical solutions to complex matters

• Ability to be a true collaborator who can manage and influence stakeholders at all levels across the organisation

• Resilience and the adaptability to thrive in a dynamic environment and navigating change effectively

• A commitment to demonstrating Rio Tinto’s values of Care, Courage and Curiosity every day

What we offer

Be recognised for your contribution, you’re thinking and your hard work, and go home knowing you’ve helped the world progress.

• A work environment where safety is always the number one priority

• A permanent position working directly for Rio Tinto

• A competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience, with an annual incentive program

• Comprehensive medical benefits, including subsidised private health insurance for employees and immediate family

• Attractive share ownership plan

• Company provided insurance cover

• Extensive salary sacrifice & salary packaging options

• Career development & education assistance to further your technical or leadership ambitions

• Ongoing access to family-friendly health and medical wellbeing support

• Leave for all of life’s reasons (vacation/annual

Where you’ll be working

This role will be based in our Perth Hub.

Applications close on Friday the 28th of November 2025 (Rio Tinto reserves the right to remove advertised roles prior to this date)

About Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminium, critical minerals, and other materials needed for the global energy transition and for people, communities, and nations to thrive.

We have been mining for 150 years and operate with knowledge built up across generations and continents. Our purpose is finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs – striving for innovation and continuous improvement to produce materials with low emissions and to the right environmental, social and governance standards. But we can’t do it on our own, so we’re focused on creating partnerships to solve problems, create win-win situations and meet opportunities.

Respect and Inclusion

At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, the LGBTI+ community, mature workers, people with disabilities and people from different cultural backgrounds.

We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable to be themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or anything else that makes us different.

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