Job Description
Description
Employment Relations Expert
Location: Auckland/Wellington
Type: Full-time (we’re open to part-time for the right person)
About the role
We’re looking for an experienced Employment Relations Expert who can step in, build trust fast, and help clients navigate tricky people moments with calm, clarity, and good judgement.
This role is for someone who loves the work: the pace, the variety, the problem-solving, the nuance. You’ll dip in and out of multiple clients across industries—some with mature people practices, others building from scratch—providing pragmatic, commercial advice that matches their context and risk appetite.
What you’ll do
Be a trusted advisor to leaders, confidently guiding decisions, shaping options, and helping clients move forward.
Lead and support complex ER matters end-to-end (including investigations, performance, misconduct, grievances, and employment agreement interpretation).
Provide comprehensive restructuring support (this is essential): strategy and approach, process design, consultation, redeployment, communications, risk assessment, and implementation support.
Bring a clear employment law lens to advice, documents, and decision-making - grounded, current, and practical.
Work across a portfolio of clients and industries - prioritising well, managing ambiguity, and staying on top of detail.Coach and mentor internal team members—lifting capability and confidence through real work, not theory.
What we’re looking for
Must-haves
Deep, sound employment relations and employment law expertise in NZ.
Proven restructuring experience (significant and end-to-end).
Able to work autonomously, make calls, and hit the ground running.
Strong judgement: pragmatic, commercial, and able to tailor advice to different risk appetites.
A critical thinker and problem solver—strategic when needed, practical always.
Great with people: relationship-led, steady under pressure, and able to hold boundaries with warmth.
Clear communicator—writes well, explains options simply, and is confident in complex conversations.
A sense of humour and an ability to keep perspective (we value both - especially in high-stakes moments).
Nice-to-haves
Broader generalist HR experience (helpful, not essential).
Experience across multiple industries and organisation sizes.
Law firm expertise (either as a lawyer or working closely within a legal practice environment).
Experience working in a consulting environment (or equivalent pace/variety with multiple stakeholders).
What it’s like to work here
You’ll do work that makes a visible impact, helping shape how organisations support their people and drive performance. You’ll be surrounded by smart, kind humans who care deeply about creating the conditions for organisations to perform. You’ll have variety, autonomy, and the chance to shape how we partner with clients (and how we grow as a team).
About Humankind
Employment Relations Expert
Location: Auckland/Wellington
Type: Full-time (we’re open to part-time for the right person)
About the role
We’re looking for an experienced Employment Relations Expert who can step in, build trust fast, and help clients navigate tricky people moments with calm, clarity, and good judgement.
This role is for someone who loves the work: the pace, the variety, the problem-solving, the nuance. You’ll dip in and out of multiple clients across industries—some with mature people practices, others building from scratch—providing pragmatic, commercial advice that matches their context and risk appetite.
What you’ll do
Be a trusted advisor to leaders, confidently guiding decisions, shaping options, and helping clients move forward.
Lead and support complex ER matters end-to-end (including investigations, performance, misconduct, grievances, and employment agreement interpretation).
Provide comprehensive restructuring support (this is essential): strategy and approach, process design, consultation, redeployment, communications, risk assessment, and implementation support.
Bring a clear employment law lens to advice, documents, and decision-making - grounded, current, and practical.
Work across a portfolio of clients and industries - prioritising well, managing ambiguity, and staying on top of detail.Coach and mentor internal team members—lifting capability and confidence through real work, not theory.
What we’re looking for
Must-haves
Deep, sound employment relations and employment law expertise in NZ.
Proven restructuring experience (significant and end-to-end).
Able to work autonomously, make calls, and hit the ground running.
Strong judgement: pragmatic, commercial, and able to tailor advice to different risk appetites.
A critical thinker and problem solver—strategic when needed, practical always.
Great with people: relationship-led, steady under pressure, and able to hold boundaries with warmth.
Clear communicator—writes well, explains options simply, and is confident in complex conversations.
A sense of humour and an ability to keep perspective (we value both - especially in high-stakes moments).
Nice-to-haves
Broader generalist HR experience (helpful, not essential).
Experience across multiple industries and organisation sizes.
Law firm expertise (either as a lawyer or working closely within a legal practice environment).
Experience working in a consulting environment (or equivalent pace/variety with multiple stakeholders).
What it’s like to work here
You’ll do work that makes a visible impact, helping shape how organisations support their people and drive performance. You’ll be surrounded by smart, kind humans who care deeply about creating the conditions for organisations to perform. You’ll have variety, autonomy, and the chance to shape how we partner with clients (and how we grow as a team).
About Humankind
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Employment Relations Expert position is now open for candidates interested in the Helper Jobs sector. This role in Auckland offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Helper Jobs is a plus.
