Job Description

Employment Type

Permanent

Closing Date

29 June 2026 11:59pm

Job Title

Employee Relations Senior SpecialistAs a Human Resources - Specialist, you contribute to the improvement and development of people initiatives that impact the way in which our organisation operates. You do this by drawing on your HR skills and experience to contribute to identifying insights which provide solutions to customer needs, especially where it involves people. You strive to deliver exceptional support to your mission team and take initiative to enable the delivery of products, processes and services through a people lens.

Who We Are

We're an iconic Aussie brand with a global footprint. Our purpose is to build a connected future so everyone can thrive. We're all about providing the best experience and delivering the best tech on the best network.

This includes making Telstra the place you want to work. For you, that means a having career that grows with you and working with a team powered by human connection that prioritises wellbeing and choice.

Focus of the Role

As a Employee Relations Senior Specialist you contribute to the improvement and development of people initiatives that impact the way in which our organisation operates. You do this by drawing on your HR skills and experience to contribute to identifying insights which provide solutions to customer needs, especially where it involves people. You strive to deliver exceptional support to your mission team and take initiative to enable the delivery of products, processes and services through a people lens.

What We Offer

• Performance-related pay

• Access to thousands of learning programs so you can level-up

• Global presence across 22 countries; opportunities to work where we do business.

• Up to 26 weeks maternity leave provided to the birth mother with benefits for all child births

• Up to 16 weeks paid paternity leave provided to the non-birthing partners

• Employees are entitled to 21 paid annual leaves per calendar year

• Eligible employees are entitled to 12 days of paid sick / casual leave per calendar year

• Relocation support options across India, from junior to senior positions within the company

• Receive insurance benefits such as medical, accidental and life insurances

How the role contributes to business strategy?

As a Senior Specialist, you provide expert advice and direction to the organisation on employee relations, employment risk and compliance and complex people‑related matters.

Drawing on your deep expertise in India’s employment laws and statutory obligations, you play a critical role in ensuring organisational compliance. You also support and coach people leaders to drive effective performance and behaviours and bring an objective view in investigations to achieve the right outcomes.

Key Accountabilities:

Case Management

• End-to-end ownership of complex and sensitive employee matters

• Lead investigations (including whistleblower matters, senior employee cases, and misconduct and performance cases)

• Ensure procedural fairness, consistency, and strong legal defensibility

• Provide expert guidance to leaders on conduct and performance, investigations, harassment and discrimination, as well as health and wellbeing matters

• Provide leadership guidance and advice to HR case managers on case management processes and requirements

• Represent the organisation, where required, in external labour tribunals or forums.

Employee Relations, Risk & Compliance-

Employee Relations

· Advise on strategic organisational initiatives such as business transformation, restructuring and mergers, acquisitions and divestments.

· Project manage the development and implementation of appropriate Employee Relations initiatives and programs to achieve the business’ people strategies.

· Provide specialist advice on a wide range of Employee Relations matters.

· Lead the resolution of employee disputes to deliver timely and effective outcomes within established frameworks.

· Design and deliver education programs and targeted coaching for leaders and managers.

Policy Ownership

• Lead the development, review, and governance of HR policies for India

• Ensure policies are legally compliant, aligned to global ER COE standards, and practical to implement

• Provide clear interpretation of policies in complex and sensitive situations

HR Risk Management & Compliance Governance

• Accountable for the effectiveness of the HR risk framework in India

• Provide oversight and constructive challenge on risk identification, risk registers, and mitigation plans

• Ensure a proactive approach to identifying and escalating critical risks

• Overall accountability for HR compliance outcomes across India

• Review compliance status, identify gaps, and ensure timely remediation

• Ensure ongoing alignment with applicable laws, regulations, and internal standards

• Monitor external trends, case law and regulatory developments

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen governance, controls and ways of working.

Vendor Governance

• Oversee labour compliance vendors through the team

• Ensure accuracy and completeness of statutory filings and documentation

• Establish and maintain strong governance rhythms and SLAs

• Step in on critical escalations where required

Audit & Regulatory Interface

• Oversee audit readiness and ensure timely closure of findings

• Act as an escalation point for high-risk audit observations and regulatory matters, including inspections and notices

• Assess compliance risks arising from the use of digital workplace tools and AI

Team Leadership

• Lead and develop of the HR Risk & Compliance resource

• Set clear priorities, governance cadence, and quality expectations

• Build capability within the HR team in risk, compliance, and ER practices

Reporting & Insights

• Review and synthesise insights from case trends, risk indicators, and compliance dashboards

• Provide meaningful updates and recommendations to leadership

Cross-functional Alignment

• Partner closely with Legal, Audit, HR Operations, Payroll, Finance, and L1/L2 Risk & Compliance teams

• Ensure a connected and consistent approach to risk and compliance across the organization

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Master of Laws (LLM)

We're amongst the top 2% of companies globally in the CDP Global Climate Change Index 2023, being awarded an 'A' rating. If you want to work for a company that cares about sustainability, we want to hear from you.

As part of your application with Telstra, you may receive communications from us on +61 440 135 548 (for job applications in Australia) and +1 (623) 400-7726 (for job applications in the Philippines and India).

When you join our team, you become part of a welcoming and inclusive community where everyone is respected, valued and celebrated. We actively seek individuals from various backgrounds, ethnicities, genders and disabilities because we know that diversity not only strengthens our team but also enriches our work. We have zero tolerance for harassment of any kind, and we prioritise creating a workplace culture where everyone is safe and can thrive.

As part of the hiring process, all identified candidates will undergo a background check, and the results will play a role in the final decision regarding your application.

We work flexibly at Telstra. Talk to us about what flexibility means to you. When you apply, you can share your pronouns and / or any reasonable adjustments needed to take part equitably during the recruitment process.

We are aware of current limitations with our website accessibility and are working towards improving this. Should you experience any issues accessing information or the application form, and require this in an alternate format, please contact our Talent Acquisition team via the contact details found at www.telstra.com.au/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion/disability-employment