Employee and Industrial Relations Partner - Asia

Job Description

The Role

This is a hands-on individual contributor role focused on employee relations, and supporting related policy, compliance and project work. The position partners closely with HR Business Partners to provide expert advisory support, manage complex and high-risk employee cases, and build capability in HRBPs and people leaders to confidently navigate employee relations matters. 

While the role sits as part of an APAC team, the focus of this role is Asia — and most significantly Malaysia, SEEK's largest hub in the region. The other current Asia markets are Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand and Philippines. The role requires deep expertise and hands-on experience navigating complex employment matters across these markets.

Reporting to the ER and Policy Lead, based in Melbourne, this role sits within the People Strategy and Enablement function.

Key Responsibilities

Primary focus: Employee relations

• Provide expert, day‑to‑day employee relations (ER) advice and hands-on support to the HRBP team.
• Provide advice and practical support to prevent and resolve workplace conflict, including issues affecting working relationships.
• Partner with HRBPs to manage complex and high‑risk cases involving performance, conduct, grievances, and medical capacity—ensuring issues are handled with fairness and empathy, whilst mitigating risk.
• Conduct and oversee end-to-end investigations, providing clear findings, risk-based recommendations and corrective-action options.
• Engage with external legal partners across Asian markets to ensure high-quality, fit-for-purpose support and service delivery.
• Represent SEEK in external forums (e.g. conciliations or tribunals) as required.
• Collaborate on strategic workforce or organisational change initiatives, providing proactive ER input to support business outcomes and risk management.

Other: Policy, compliance & governance

• Act as a key subject matter expert on people‑related policies, compliance, and governance frameworks across SEEK’s Asia markets.
• Monitor and interpret local legislative developments to ensure people policies and practices remain current, compliant, and fit‑for‑purpose.

Other: Capability building & continuous improvement

• Partner closely with the HRBP team to uplift people leader and HR capability in managing ER and compliance matters confidently and consistently.
• In partnership with the ER and Policy Lead, identify opportunities to enhance ER and compliance processes, frameworks, and resources to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence across APAC.

Qualifications

Essential Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

• Proven employee relations expertise working within comparative corporate environments.
• Strong knowledge of employment legislation across relevant Asian markets, with demonstrated ability to interpret and apply legal frameworks in a practical manner.
• Adaptable and pragmatic, comfortable aligning to SEEK’s unique organisational context and risk profile.
• Hands-on delivery capability — comfortable being ‘on the tools’, including end-to-end case management and coaching others to build capability.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with excellent attention to detail and an ability to distil complex issues into clear, actionable insights.
• Highly developed interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trust and influence effectively across diverse cultures and seniority levels.
• Willingness to travel within the region, and occasionally to Melbourne, as required by business needs.

Additional Information