Lead Employee Relations Manager

About the role

As the Lead Employee Relations Manager you will head a high‑performing team of Employee Relations Specialists and Advisors, driving a collaborative culture and ensuring timely, effective resolution of employee matters across IAG’s New Zealand operations.

Key responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop a team of Employee Relations Advisors and Specialists.
• Allocate, review and monitor employee relations cases to meet service‑level agreements.
• Provide expert advice to people leaders, senior stakeholders and employees on complex ER issues.
• Manage escalation processes and ensure compliance with legal and policy standards.
• Investigate and resolve complex workplace investigations, mediations and claims.
• Produce comprehensive reporting, analysis and insights on ER trends.
• Conduct due‑diligence and integration activities for P&C transactions.
• Negotiate, draft and implement collective agreements and related policy changes.
• Design and deliver training programmes for leaders and HR partners on ER best practices.

Required profile

• Extensive experience as a senior employee relations practitioner in a large, complex commercial organisation.
• Strong technical expertise in case management, workplace investigations, mediations and representation before employment tribunals.
• Demonstrated people‑leadership capability, including coaching and performance management.
• Excellent stakeholder management and relationship‑building skills.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Human Resources, Employee Relations or Employment Law.

Required skills

What we offer

• Boosted KiwiSaver with 4.5% employer contribution and standard life insurance.
• 20 days annual leave plus 5 days of flexible personal leave.
• Hybrid work options with flexible home‑working arrangements.
• Up to 50% discount on personal home and motor insurance.
• Annual $500 health and wellbeing allowance.
• 14 weeks paid parental leave.
• Access to LinkedIn Learning, IAG Academy, study assistance and secondment opportunities.