Symbos is an Australian-founded business delivering customer experience, creative and operational solutions at global scale. We partner with organisations to build connected, high-performing teams that combine human insight with technology. Our approach is grounded in operational excellence, continuous improvement and a people-first culture. We focus on creating environments where teams can do meaningful work, grow their capability and deliver consistent outcomes for clients.

About the Client

Our client is an Australian organisation operating in the outside school hours care sector, supporting a distributed workforce of educators and regional leaders. The organisation works in a highly regulated employment environment where fair, consistent and well-documented people practices are essential to supporting employees, families and communities.

The Opportunity

We are looking for a Workplace Relations Associate to provide practical employee relations support to educators and regional managers across the client’s operations.

You will respond to employment queries, interpret contracts and workplace policies, coordinate case documentation, support performance and grievance processes, and assist with work cover, parental leave, contract variations, visa and sponsorship administration. This is a hands-on role for someone who can combine sound judgement, empathy and accurate administration in a high-volume environment.

What Sets This Role Apart

This role offers broad exposure across the employee lifecycle, from everyday advice and contract changes to formal meetings, corrective action, disputes and return-to-work.

You will partner with regional leaders and teams across Payroll, Recruitment, Staffing and Training, while escalating complex matters to workplace relations specialists. The work calls for confidence in Australian employment frameworks and the discipline to meet legislative and documentation requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor the HR Administration inbox and respond to high-volume employee and manager queries accurately and promptly.
• Provide guidance on employment contracts, position classifications, Modern Award conditions, workplace policies and grievances.
• Support potential Code of Conduct breaches through fact-finding, formal meetings, corrective action documentation and clear records of communication.
• Coordinate performance management, grievance and dispute processes, and help regional managers prepare for employee meetings.
• Act as a first point of contact for work cover injuries or illnesses and support effective return-to-work processes.
• Manage parental leave applications and support visa and sponsorship administration as required.
• Process contract variations, confirm required approvals and provide Payroll with accurate details for changes to pay or employment conditions.
• Conduct exit survey interviews and identify insights that may support improvements to people practices.
• Prepare and file statutory responses accurately and within required legislative timeframes.
• Escalate complex or high-risk matters to the Workplace Relations Specialist and contribute to performance reviews, training needs identification and HR focus groups.

What We’re Looking For

• A tertiary qualification in Human Resources, business or a related discipline.
• At least three years of practical experience in a generalist HR and employee relations role.
• Ability to work independently and effectively in a hybrid work setup.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret employment contracts and policies and improve HR practices in line with business goals.
• Experience working in a high-volume HR environment while managing competing priorities and deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, effective interpersonal capability and high emotional intelligence.
• Strong investigation, documentation and decision-making skills, with the ability to approach employee matters fairly and reasonably.
• Intermediate to advanced capability with Microsoft Office and HR information systems, supported by sound presentation, training or facilitation skills.

Nice to Have

• Sound knowledge of Modern Awards and Australian workplace law.
• Knowledge of the Children’s Services Award 2010 or experience with a comparable sector-specific Modern Award.
• Workers compensation, work cover or return-to-work coordination experience.
• Experience supporting a geographically distributed or frontline workforce.
• Exposure to visa, sponsorship, contract variation or payroll change administration.

Who This Role Suits

This role suits an HR or employee relations professional who enjoys practical case management, accurate administration and supporting leaders through sensitive workplace matters.