Employee Relations Specialist

About the role

The Employee Relations Specialist will provide specialist, compliant, and trusted advice to IAG's Property & Casualty (P&C) leaders and their teams across New Zealand. You will help create a safe, inclusive workplace that aligns with IAG’s purpose and strategic priorities, influencing how the organisation builds a future‑focused, people‑first culture.

Key responsibilities

• Provide employee relations advice to P&C leaders, ensuring alignment with policies, procedures, and legislative requirements.
• Support proactive employee relations initiatives, including training for leaders and addressing emerging themes.
• Collaborate with the ER Lead and Advisors on escalated and complex case management.
• Conduct P&C due diligence and integration activities for business transactions.
• Liaise with the internal employment law team to obtain legal advice when required.
• Identify risk‑management opportunities by partnering with business leaders on employee relations matters.
• Represent IAG in mediation and before the Employment Relations Authority.
• Monitor external trends, case law, and regulatory changes to maintain compliance.
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders, including unions, to influence outcomes.

Required profile

• 5‑8+ years of employee relations or employment law experience, preferably in a complex commercial organisation.
• Proven ability to translate complex employee relations issues into clear, pragmatic solutions.
• Experience advising on people components of business transactions and projects.
• Strong autonomous work ethic combined with the ability to thrive in a high‑performing team.
• Strategic mindset with the capacity to anticipate and resolve employee relations issues.
• Courage to challenge and influence senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience coaching and upskilling leaders and HR practitioners.
• Commitment to staying current with external legislative and case‑law developments.

Required skills