The Industrial Relations Senior Associate role at the Premier’s Department offers a unique opportunity to shape workforce capabilities within the New South Wales Government. This pivotal position, located in Sydney’s CBD, focuses on developing innovative industrial relations frameworks that enhance the public sector’s effectiveness.
As a Senior Associate, you’ll collaborate with various stakeholders to create tools and training programs that empower departments to navigate the evolving landscape of industrial relations successfully.
If you’re considering a career move that combines meaningful challenge with the chance to contribute to public service, this role could be ideal for you. With a focus on driving positive change in workforce practices, the guidance in this post, including an example cover letter, will help you present your application in the best light and stand out in the selection process.
If you’re new to public sector recruitment, you might find this unofficial guide to NSW Government applications helpful for understanding how the process works and what to expect.
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Industrial Relations Senior Associate Salary and Overview
| Position Title | Senior Associate, Industrial Relations Capability |
| Organisation | Premier’s Department |
| Location | Sydney Region |
| Work Type | Full-Time |
| Base Pay | Clerk Grade 9/10, $125,693–$138,510 + superannuation (11.5%) |
| Closing Date | 11/06/2025 – 10:00 AM |
About the Senior Associate, Industrial Relations Capability at Premier’s Department
The Senior Associate Industrial Relations is a pivotal role within the Premier’s Department’s Industrial Relations Branch. Located in the heart of Sydney CBD at Martin Place, this full-time position empowers you to shape the future of workforce capability across the NSW Government.
As a Senior Associate, your day-to-day focus will involve developing and implementing an innovative industrial relations framework that strengthens workforce capabilities throughout the public sector. You will collaborate closely with various stakeholders to translate insights into effective tools, training programs, and resources designed to skilfully navigate an evolving industrial relations landscape.
This role plays a critical part in the People and Workforce Group, contributing to strategic initiatives that aim to enhance public value and support government objectives. By driving transformative industrial relations practices, you are making a measurable impact on the quality of public service in New South Wales.
Why working in Industrial Relations at Premier’s Department is a Great Opportunity
This is a great opportunity to join the Premier’s Department and drive meaningful industrial relations advancements for NSW Government. Here are a few reasons to consider:
- Full-time, ongoing role at grade 9/10 level
- Enjoy flexible working arrangements that support work-life balance.
- Benefit from public sector entitlements, including parental leave and flex time accrual.
- Talent pool available for extending opportunities over the next 12-18 months.
This is a great opportunity for someone from outside the public sector to bring in valuable experience and start making a difference straight away.
Industrial Relations Senior Associate Application Requirements
Candidates must meet the following requirements to be considered for an interview for the Senior Associate Industrial Relations at the Premier’s Department.
Premier’s Department Application Process
To apply, you must submit the following documents:
- Resume: Maximum 5 pages
- Cover Letter: Maximum 2 pages addressing essential requirements and focus capabilities
What to Include in Your Senior Associate Application
The cover letter must address the key requirements the panel is looking for to ensure your application is complete and competitive. Use the STAR method to show examples of how you have the following skillset.
| Source | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Industrial Relations Expertise | Proven understanding of public sector industrial relations frameworks, employment legislation, and government policy |
| Capability Development | Demonstrated experience designing and delivering capability frameworks, training programs, and workforce development resources |
| Analytical Thinking | Ability to interpret complex data and feedback, identify trends and risks, and translate insights into strategic recommendations |
| Project Management | Strong planning and organisational skills, with the capability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and deliver results in a dynamic environment |
| Stakeholder Engagement | Strong ability to build trusted relationships, consult effectively, and influence internal and external stakeholders to achieve shared outcomes |
| Communication | Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare high-quality reports, presentations, and briefings for diverse audiences |
Candidate Profile for Senior Associate, Industrial Relations Capability
Samantha has over ten years of experience in industrial relations across large private sector organisations. She’s worked in highly regulated environments, with a strong focus on employment legislation, enterprise agreements, and capability development. In recent years, she’s led IR training programs that improved compliance and performance across national teams.
She’s applying for the Senior Associate, Industrial Relations Capability role to bring her skills into the public sector and contribute to meaningful workforce reform. Samantha is a strong communicator, confident with stakeholders at all levels, and skilled at turning complex insights into practical solutions. She’s ready to bring a fresh perspective and deliver impact from day one.
Example Cover Letter for Senior Associate, Industrial Relations Capability
Dear Hiring Manager,
I’m excited to apply for the Senior Associate, Industrial Relations Capability position at the Premier’s Department.
With over ten years of experience in industrial relations within large, highly regulated private sector organisations, I’ve developed a broad and practical understanding of employment legislation, enterprise agreements, and workforce capability development. I’m now looking to apply that experience in a public sector context where I can help shape initiatives that deliver long-term impact across the NSW Government.
In my most recent role as National IR Advisor for a logistics and transport company with over 8,000 staff, I identified a consistent pattern of misinterpretation of enterprise agreement clauses by frontline managers. These misunderstandings were contributing to an increase in grievances and inconsistent application of workplace policy. I led a collaborative review process involving legal, HR, and operational teams to pinpoint knowledge gaps and common issues. I then designed and delivered a structured learning program—including in-person workshops, quick-reference guides, and e-learning modules—that was rolled out nationally. Post-implementation feedback showed a 40% reduction in IR-related grievances and a marked improvement in manager confidence. This work not only strengthened compliance but directly contributed to more consistent and fair outcomes for employees.
I also bring strong analytical skills, particularly when it comes to interpreting employee feedback, IR metrics, and operational data to inform decision-making. At a previous organisation, I was asked to investigate a sharp increase in staff turnover in one region. After reviewing exit interviews, rostering patterns, and EA changes, I identified that a shift to rigid scheduling practices had significantly reduced staff flexibility. I presented these findings to senior leadership and recommended a revised rostering model, which was piloted and then expanded across the region. The change led to a 22% improvement in retention and was later adopted in other business units.
Project management is another area of strength. I recently managed the national implementation of a new IR case management system, intended to replace fragmented legacy processes. This required detailed planning, risk management, vendor coordination, and the development of user training content. I led weekly governance meetings, maintained stakeholder alignment across multiple business functions, and ensured data privacy and workflow compliance were upheld throughout. The project was delivered two weeks ahead of schedule and under budget, with strong uptake from end users and reduced case resolution times.
Throughout my career, I’ve worked closely with a wide range of stakeholders—from union representatives and operational staff to executive leaders—often in high-stakes industrial contexts. In one instance, I was tasked with facilitating consultation during a major restructure that impacted over 400 employees across multiple sites. Tensions were high, and it was essential to build trust early. I developed a structured communication plan, held regular consultation forums with union delegates and staff, and ensured all messaging was consistent, transparent, and grounded in accurate IR advice. I also prepared board-level briefing papers and equipped frontline leaders with clear talking points to support local engagement. As a result, the transition proceeded without formal disputes, and employee survey feedback showed an uplift in confidence around how change was managed. I’ve been consistently recognised for my clear, pragmatic communication style and my ability to drive alignment in complex or sensitive situations—ensuring IR matters are easy to understand and act upon at all levels.
I’m excited by the opportunity to bring this experience into a public sector environment. I believe my external perspective, combined with a deep respect for the role of public service, would allow me to contribute meaningfully to workforce capability uplift and industrial policy development.
I’d welcome the opportunity to speak further about how I can support your team and the broader priorities of the Premier’s Department.
Kind regards,
Samantha
How to Use the STAR Method When Applying for a Senior Associate, Industrial Relations Capability Role
The STAR Method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—is a powerful tool for structuring your responses to behavioural questions in NSW Government job applications. Whether in your cover letter, target questions, or interview responses, this format allows you to clearly demonstrate your skills and impact.
Let’s take a real-world style example from Samantha, a candidate applying for the Senior Associate, Industrial Relations Capability role. One of the key capabilities required for this position is stakeholder engagement—specifically, the ability to build trust, consult effectively, and influence diverse stakeholders.
Situation: During a major organisational restructure affecting over 400 staff, Samantha was working in an industrial relations advisory role at a national logistics firm. The proposed changes were highly sensitive and had the potential to trigger disputes.
Task: She was responsible for leading stakeholder consultation and communication to ensure the restructure could proceed smoothly, while maintaining trust and preventing escalation.
Action: Samantha designed a structured consultation process that included regular forums with union delegates, detailed Q&A briefings for managers, and transparent communication updates for affected staff. She also prepared board-level reports and supported operational leaders in delivering consistent messaging.
Result: The restructure was implemented without formal disputes or industrial action. Post-implementation feedback showed improved employee confidence in how change was managed—highlighting Samantha’s ability to bring clarity, build trust, and align diverse groups.
This example illustrates how the STAR method can showcase not only technical expertise in industrial relations but also essential capabilities like communication, consultation, and relationship-building—all critical for a role at the Senior Associate level.
When writing your own application, aim to build in similar real-life examples. Focus on the outcome, and make sure each story clearly highlights the value you brought to the organisation.
Get Your Senior Associate Industrial Relations Capability Application Ready
Don’t hesitate to apply for this rewarding role! Visit I Work for NSW to submit your application.
To maximise your success, follow this simple checklist:
- Read the role description
- Use the free cover letter template to get started
- Tailor examples using the STAR method
- Get your cover letter reviewed by an expert
For those applying, I offer expert feedback on draft cover letters, with unlimited revisions to help you perfect your application. Most applicants skip this important step, making a professional review a strong strategy to help you stand out.
You’ve got the experience—now it’s time to show it!
