“It begins at Bendigo Bank”

We’ve never been ‘just a bank’. Just like you should never be ‘just an employee’. We’re united in our belief that in banking, better can be bigger, and together we’re making it happen.

It starts here. With Bendigo Bank… and you.

Bendigo Bank exists to feed into the prosperity of our customers and community, not off it. We know that as a bank we will only be successful if we focus first on the success of our customers, our people, communities, partners, suppliers, and shareholders.

About the Opportunity

Our People and Culture division’s purpose is ‘Together we do great things every day to enrich the employee experience.’ Within People and Culture, the Employee Relations team play a key role in resolving employee relations matters and minimising risks to the business.

We have a unique opportunity to join the division as Head of Employee Relations. Reporting to the Chief People Officer you’ll strategically and operationally lead the Employee Relations team. You’ll be responsible for setting the employee relations and industrial relations agenda for the Bank, and will play a strategic role in Agreement negotiations. Coaching and mentoring your team to manage a variety of case work including grievances, misconduct, sickness absence, and performance management. You’ll also be a key contributor to the Bank’s application of Consequence Management Policy and framework to the enterprise.

As the Head of Employee Relations, you’ll get to:

• Provide strategic direction, lead, manage, motivate and direct all operational activities of the department
• Engage collaboratively with the Leadership Team to connect themes and strategic initiatives to broader people and culture frameworks and programmes of work
• Provide expert Employee Relations and Industrial Relations consulting to Management, the People and Culture team, and Senior Leaders
• Oversee the investigation process relating to Bullying, Harassment, Sexual Harassment etc in line with the Bank’s Grievance procedure and other related policies
• Manage and oversee the Banks’ Enterprise Agreement Negotiations and implementation
• Manage external claims from Fair Work Commission, Federal court, Unions, and the Human Rights Commission

You’ll be part of an engaged and supportive senior leadership team that are incredibly passionate and work collaboratively to enrich our employee’s experience. This is a key leadership position with visibility to the Board and Executive team where you’ll have genuine opportunity to do impactful work and be valued for your contribution.

What you’ll bring to the role

• A relevant tertiary qualification in Human Resources or related equivalent discipline
• Significant previous experience in a similar role leading a business unit or function in a regulated industry
• Demonstrated expert ER/IR knowledge including current Industrial Relations legal principles and guidelines
• Ability to understand and implement the Fair Work Legislation
• Understanding of case law and impacts it has on business
• Demonstrated capability in developing and managing key internal and external relationships at senior leader and board level
• Proven leadership experience including developing and leading a team of leaders
• Advanced consultative, facilitative, influencing and negotiation skills
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing strategic business plans
• Intermediate capabilities with the MS Office suite: Word, Excel, Outlook

This role can be based in any one of our office locations in Melbourne, Bendigo, or Adelaide. We offer flexible work options that put our people first, and a hybrid model with a minimum requirement of 40% of your time per week in the office, increasing to 60% as of July 2025. Please note that this role requires a three-month notice period

So, why work with us?

1. Want big impact that matters? Here, you’ll know your work directly benefits the customers and communities we all serve.
2. Want to be more than just a number? Join a team that truly values you – and that gets more and more diverse every day.
3. Want career opportunity AND flexibility? Achieve both here, where we know that balance and progression go hand in hand.

You’ll also get access to a great range of benefits, including:

• Hybrid work? Flexible hours? A compressed work week? Our flexible work options are designed to suit your life.
• Health and wellbeing support, including discounted gym memberships, private health insurance options, and our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for you and your immediate family members.

We’re making better, bigger. And we’ll get there with you

Could you be our newest Head of Employee Relations. Now’s the time to set your sights even higher – on the future you and the future career you deserve. Apply now! Applications close Tuesday 10th of December at 5pm.

At Bendigo and Adelaide Bank we believe a diverse workforce supported by an inclusive culture is central to our success and we actively encourage applications from those who bring diversity of thought to our business. We support candidate requests for adjustment to accommodate an illness, injury, or disability to equitably participate in the selection process.

Still in two minds?  

Research suggests 60% of women and underrepresented groups might stop here, even after getting as far as drafting an application. We believe that diversity makes every team stronger, so even if you don’t tick every box, we still want to see your application!

We love the support recruitment agencies give our businesses every day, however, we have got this.  Our superstar talent advisors will reach out to our fabulous panel if we need a helping hand.

Applications close Tuesday 10th of December at 5pm.

Please note shortlisting and interviews may take place prior to the advertised close date, so don't delay: apply now!