Mercury Website

Mercury is a bold future-focused organisation, providing energy and telecommunications to more Kiwis than anyone else, leading the way with renewable energy and working toward a sustainable future.

At the heart is our purpose.

Taking care of tomorrow : connecting people and place today.

This pushes us to do all we can to create a better future for our people, our communities, and Aotearoa New Zealand.

Make your mark in a newly created role that will refresh Mercury's approach to union relationships and engagement!

At Mercury, we're passionate about creating a fair, people-centred workplace.

We're looking for an experienced

Industrial Relations & Union Specialist

to lead our IR strategy, strengthen union engagement, and ensure equitable outcomes for our employees.

This is an opportunity to shape how we partner with unions, support leaders, and deliver fair and accurate implementation of employment agreements across our workforce.

You'll work closely with our Generation business unit – a team of amazing people who are genuinely passionate about renewable energy and the roles they do.

This role also offers the chance to coach and mentor HR professionals, building IR capability across the PX function.

This role is part-time at 20 hours per week, with days and hours designed to suit your lifestyle within standard business hours.

Flexibility will be required during collective bargaining periods.

While our preference is for the role to be based in Hamilton, we're open to Tauranga or Rotorua for the right candidate—both locations are close to our generation sites.

Tau e mahi ai | What you'll be doing :

Lead Mercury's industrial relations and union engagement approach, fostering trusted relationships with union representatives and advocates.

Partner with leaders and PX to proactively identify, assess, and manage IR risks.

Support and advise on collective bargaining, mediation, and union-related processes.

Ensure compliance with employment and industrial relations legislation, including the Employment Relations Act.

Provide guidance and training to PX Advisors and leaders on IR practices and communication.

Monitor emerging IR trends, legislative changes, and case law, providing insights and recommendations.

Represent Mercury in union discussions and consultations.

Contribute to policy updates, playbooks, and communication materials that strengthen leader capability.

Support fair and effective implementation of collective and individual employment agreements.

9+ years' experience in IR advisory roles, including collective bargaining exposure.

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Law, Industrial Relations, or a related discipline

Proven experience working with unions, advocates, and external stakeholders.

Strong knowledge of New Zealand employment and industrial relations legislation.

Experience leading negotiations, investigations, or mediation processes.

Excellent communication and influencing skills, able to simplify complexity for different audiences.

Calm and pragmatic approach to conflict resolution and problem-solving.

Strong commercial acumen and understanding of the balance between people and business needs.

Additional 5 days leave per annum (MyDays)

$400 one off tax-free payment towards setting up your home office

A diverse workplace where your unique abilities and talents will be recognised and encouraged

Annual salary reviews with excellent parental leave policy, with the option to purchase additional leave

The opportunities, career paths and facilities associated with working for one of New Zealand's largest multi-utility providers

Flexible working policy - The autonomy and trust to work flexibly from our purpose-built premises and from home, recognising the value of this flexibility in the modern world

Discounted health insurance and free life and income insurance

Excellent well-being programme including up to $100 annual check-ups and confidential assistance programme

Gender affirmation leave and supportive bereavement leave to be taken when you lose anyone close to you, including your pet

Mercury is a learning organisation that is committed to providing you with opportunities to grow and develop that will benefit you now and in the future.

Part of your role includes building your skillset and mindset through a variety of ways.

We believe this creates an energised, innovative and agile work environment where you will feel valued.

Every voice has its place – and together, we thrive.

At Mercury, we believe that having a team of individuals with different backgrounds, experience and capability working together makes us stronger and better as an organisation.

We know that some candidates may only apply for a role if they meet all of the criteria.

If you want to join our team, we encourage you to apply for any role that matches your skills, capabilities and interests, even if you aren't sure if you meet all of the criteria.

Please click 'apply' to submit your application.

If you require accessibility or assistance support from us during the application and selection process, please reach out to

Please do not apply via this email address.

A full position description is available below.

Applications close Friday, 21st November at 5 : 00pm.

Please note that Mercury retains the right to bring a particularly strong candidate through to interview more quickly.

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