Senior Manager, IR Projects & Litigation

• Challenge yourself to lead critical IR compliance and litigation initiatives across the Qantas Group
• Lead the project plan to deliver a sustainable group wide approach
• 14 month maximum-term parental leave cover position based in Mascot, Sydney

At Qantas, our resilience and innovation define us. We take pride in maintaining high standards of compliance, fairness and integrity across every area of our business. As we continue to strengthen our industrial relations (IR) capabilities, we’re looking for a Senior Manager, IR Projects & Litigation to lead the delivery of complex IR projects and litigation with confidence, strategic foresight, and stakeholder savvy.

In this pivotal leadership role within the Industrial Relations team, you will manage the design and delivery of high-profile compliance initiatives and litigation matters across the Qantas Group. You will provide strategic direction, thought leadership, and hands-on project management on key IR programs, while partnering with internal stakeholders, unions and regulators to ensure business objectives are met within a strong compliance and risk management framework.

You’ll be responsible for:

• Leading large-scale IR compliance projects from planning to execution
• Providing expert legal and industrial relations advice to internal stakeholders
• Overseeing litigation and dispute resolution in a way that safeguards our brand and reputation
• Managing change and communication strategies that support cultural evolution and Everyday Respect
• Building strong partnerships across unions, regulators, legal advisors and business units
• Ensuring IR outcomes align with broader commercial, financial and compliance goals

What you’ll bring to the team

• 10+ years’ experience in industrial relations, employment law or related field
• Tertiary qualifications in Law or Employment/Industrial Relations; current legal practising certificate (preferred)
• Demonstrated expertise in compliance project management and workplace litigation
• Highly developed stakeholder engagement and communication skills
• Strong analytical, legal risk, and change management capability
• A pragmatic, commercially-minded approach to solving complex legal and organisational challenges
• Proven ability to lead with integrity and influence cultural change

Why Qantas?  
You’ll join a team where creativity and passion are encouraged. Our people come together to allow us to dream big and deliver successfully.  

There are many different opportunities across our team, which means you’ll be able to grow both personally and professionally at Qantas. Your development is a priority for us – so that you can maintain the high standards our customers have come to expect and can continue to develop over time. You’ll be supported from day 1 with on-the-job training and coaching as well as our formal training opportunities. While you may start in this role, we’ve got a great track record of supporting our people to take their career in so many different directions, the destinations are endless.   

The Qantas employee benefits program offers amazing benefits that extend well beyond travel.  

• We love to travel: Enjoy heavily discounted air travel within Australia and across the globe, both for you and your family and friends, as well as exclusive deals on accommodation and holidays. 
• We have flexible leave options: Make use of leave and flexible working opportunities including 18 weeks paid parental leave (plus superannuation payments on all paid and unpaid parental leave until your child turns 1) and additional purchased leave options for eligible employees.  
• We’ll give you access to thousands of rewards: Through our partnerships we can offer you discounts across shopping, food and wine, insurance, health and wellbeing, leisure and entertainment. You can also take advantage of our salary packaging program including motor vehicles, eligible portable electronic devices and professional memberships.  
• We’ll support your wellbeing: Whether it’s learning to better support your own and others’ mental health, our interactive wellbeing app or your very own tailored nutrition plan.  

Qantas is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at time of application. 

Be a part of something special and play your part in the Qantas story – get in touch today.

Applications close: Tuesday 30 September 2025

Please note: applications will only be considered for candidates who have the right to work in Australia / New Zealand without restriction or sponsorship.