Principal Employee Relations | Fixed Term | Australia

Principal Employee Relations | Fixed Term | Australia

Be among the first 25 applicants. This role offers a unique opportunity for an experienced Employee Relations professional to join our team in a Principal capacity. Reporting directly to the Manager, Employee Relations, you will shape and deliver strategic ER support across the business.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic, risk‑based advice to leaders on a broad range of complex employee relations issues, including performance and conduct matters, workplace investigations, disciplinary processes, and the management of ill and injured workers.
• Build and enhance leader capability through coaching, mentoring, and the facilitation of targeted ER training programs.
• Lead and contribute to enterprise‑wide productivity and continuous improvement initiatives, ensuring alignment with business strategy and operational goals.
• Support the development and execution of the ER strategy, driving outcomes that balance compliance, risk mitigation, and commercial value.
• Interpret and provide expert advice on industrial instruments, employment legislation, and policy frameworks.
• Represent the organisation in external forums, including the Fair Work Commission and other relevant tribunals or legal proceedings.
• Partner with leaders and HR colleagues to proactively resolve workplace issues and support a positive employee experience.
• Contribute to risk assessment and mitigation activities, ensuring ER practices support a safe, fair, and compliant workplace.
• Operate as part of a global Employee Relations function, collaborating in a high‑trust, flexible, and team‑oriented environment.

About You

You are a values‑driven professional who brings integrity, respect, and a commitment to sustainability to everything you do. You thrive in a collaborative environment and are passionate about enabling leaders to create safe, fair, and high‑performing workplaces.

Required Qualifications

• A degree in Human Resources, Law, or a related discipline, with extensive experience in employee relations and generalist HR within an industrialised or complex organisational environment.
• Deep knowledge of the Australian industrial relations framework, with demonstrated experience managing complex ER matters including investigations, performance and conduct issues, and ill and injured workers.
• A strong reputation as a trusted advisor and leader within the ER function, with the ability to coach and mentor Employee Relations Specialists and contribute to the development of team capability.
• A proven ability to influence and support senior leaders (e.g. General Managers, Heads of Function) through strategic, risk‑informed advice and coaching.
• Experience leading or contributing to enterprise‑wide improvement initiatives or change projects, with a focus on continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high‑quality outcomes in a fast‑paced environment.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across all levels of the business.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), with the ability to develop clear project plans, stakeholder presentations, and reporting tools.
• Experience in mining, heavy industry, or professional services is highly regarded.

Location & Working Arrangements

This role requires the successful candidate to be based in either Brisbane, Perth or Adelaide and to attend our corporate office a minimum of three days per week, including a Monday and/or Friday, and travel to our operational sites as necessary (including occasionally overnight).

Application Deadline

Open for applications until 20‑Nov.

Our Process

At BHP, we are committed to employing individuals who align with the BHP Charter Values and meet the requirements of the role. As part of the recruitment process, a number of checks may be conducted to demonstrate suitability, including police/criminal background checks, medical, drug and alcohol testing, due diligence checks, right to work checks, and reference checks.

Supporting a Diverse Workforce

The size, stability and magnitude of our business provide significant opportunity for professional development, attractive salary packages with performance‑based bonuses and a best‑in‑class employee share programme. We offer flexible working options, generous paid parental leave, other extended leave entitlements and parent rooms. BHP is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to a safe and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We recognise that true diversity includes gender, age, race, disability status, sexual orientation, religion, neurodiversity, education levels, and many more aspects of identity.

Benefits

We offer benefits to enable your work to fit with your life, including flexible working options, generous paid parental leave, other extended leave entitlements and parent rooms.

Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Human Resources

Industry

Mining

Contact

For further information, email .

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