Principal Advisor - Remuneration and Strategic Employment Relations

\n Principal Advisor Remuneration and Strategic Employment Relations (Fixed term until June 2027)\n

About UsHe aha te mea nui o tēnei ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.Hello, Kia ora, Noa'ia, Talofa lava, Mauri, Mālō e lelei, Tālofa, Ni Sa Bula Vinaka, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Mālō ni, Kia orana , nǐ hǎo, Kamusta.

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WorkSafe New Zealand | Mahi Haumaru Aotearoa is the primary workplace health and safety regulator. Our vision is that everyone who goes to mahi comes home healthy and safe. We live by our values: Whakakotahi- we are united in a strong purpose Kōrero mai- we engage meaningfully Tiakina mai- we are entrusted with a duty of care

About your team / Ko te tīma\n

Sitting within the Corporate Group, the People and Capability business unit supports WorkSafe with: HR operations (HR Advice and Recruitment) internal health, safety and wellbeing organisational development/ learning & development. We provide support and advice across the full employee lifecycle, and for the provision of strategic and tactical advice related to employment relations, safety, health and wellbeing, recruitment including offboarding and onboarding, organisation development including learning and development, performance and culture.

About the role / Ō te tūranga\n

As Principal Advisor, Remuneration and Employment Relations, you'll be WorkSafe's subject matter expert on remuneration, leading the development of remuneration strategy, frameworks and governance that support organisational performance, equity and relevant market competitiveness. You will drive the design, development and implementation of WorkSafe's refreshed remuneration framework, providing strategic thought leadership and expert advice to senior leaders. You will also provide strategic employment relations advice, leading the remuneration talks and supporting collective bargaining and helping shape a constructive and future-focused employment relations environment. This is a fixed-term contract until 30 June 2027.

What You'll Do/ Ko tōu ake mahi\n

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• Design and implement a fit-for-purpose remuneration framework
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• Lead job evaluation and salary benchmarking activities to establish a fit for purpose pay approach
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• Develop pay equity approaches that support fairness and compliance with relevant legislation
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• Advise senior leaders on strategic remuneration and employment relations
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• Support collective bargaining preparation and negotiations, particularly on pay
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• Deliver change initiatives that support workforce transition and engagement
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What You'll Bring / Ko ngā pukenga ōu\n

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• Expertise designing and implementing remuneration frameworks
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• Employment relations and collective bargaining experience
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• Ability to influence senior leaders
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• Advanced knowledge of employment and equal pay legislation
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• Experience with job evaluation methodologies and salary modelling
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• Relevant qualification in HR, Industrial Relations, Business Administration, or Law is highly preferred
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Salary range / Awhe utu\n

As part of our remuneration framework, the expected appointment salary range for this role is $ 130,588 -$ 149,093. (KiwiSaver/SSRSS employer contributions are additional). From 1 April 2026 our KiwiSaver employer contribution increased to 3.5%.

Benefits\n

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• Free life insurance for the duration of your employment
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• 5 weeks annual leave
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• 15 days sick leave
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• Professional development opportunities
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• Employee-led networks to promote the goals and needs of our diverse communities (Rainbow, Pacific, Women's and Tū Rangatira Māori Network)
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AI can be a helpful tool when preparing your application, but what matters most to us is you. Please ensure your CV, cover letter, and responses reflect your own skills, experiences, and perspective. We want to hear your real story - your passion, your personality, and what makes you unique. Don't let AI do all the talking - let it support you, not replace you.

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WorkSafe Mahi Haumaru is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and actively welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including people with disabilities and those who are neurodivergent. We believe different perspectives strengthen our mahi and help create an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. If you encounter accessibility barriers in completing the application or require adjustments or support to ensure the recruitment process is accessible to you, contact [email protected] for a confidential kōrero. WorkSafe is currently working through the implementation of Kia Rangatū. During this time, affected kaimahi will be given preference for all vacancies and will be considered in the first instance.

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Applications close: 11.59pm, 26 August 2026

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