Karen Blackhurst
Melbourne
Summary
Accomplished human resources generalist and industrial relations specialist with extensive experience across both public and private sectors. Tertiary qualified in business, with a proven track record leading matters before the Fair Work Commission and successfully delivering Enterprise Bargaining Agreement negotiations. Highly skilled in people leadership, coaching, and mentoring, with strong capability in project and change management. Certified Trainer and Assessor, Government Workplace Investigator and Mental Health First Aider. Active member of the Australian Human Resources Institute and the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, bringing a pragmatic, compliant and people centered approach to workplace relations.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Workplace Relations Manager
Metro Trains Melbourne
03.2024 - Current
- Accountable for providing end-to-end workplace relations advice in a complex, highly industrialised setting, while directly supporting the Train Services portfolio.
- Responsibilities included:
- Lead matters at the Fair Work Commission and represent the organisation.
- Foster strong, credible relationships to deliver accurate, commercial and timely workplace relations advice to stakeholders.
- Partner with the HR team and operational leaders to enhance capability in employee relations, risk management and compliance with best practices.
- Lead the management of complex cases, including dispute resolution and negotiations with union stakeholders.
- Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of policies, procedures, and frameworks that support workplace relations excellence.
- Provide subject matter expertise and strategic advice on major change initiatives from a workplace relations perspective.
Various Human Resources and Workplace Relations roles
Victorian Public Service (VPS)
03.2020 - 01.2024
- Joined the Victorian Public Service at the onset of the COVID-19 lockdown period and remained for nearly four years, delivering a range of fixed-term projects. Demonstrated flexibility and agility by working across multiple areas, responding to business needs as required.
- Responsibilities included:
- All HR generalist responsibilities, including PDP process, talent and acquisition, role reclassifications and resizing employee engagement survey, coaching of people leaders etc.
- Workplace relations including case management.
- Supported wellbeing initiatives and worked closely with Health and Safety team.
- Prepared correspondence, briefings, submissions, and reports on sensitive issues within tight timelines for senior stakeholders.
- Developed and maintained effective networks and relationships across various areas of the VPS.
- HR Project Lead for high profile Early Retirement Scheme across two key Government Departments (DPC and DTF).
- HR Project Lead for volume recruitment campaign, onboarding and Clause 11 project (major change restructure).
- Extensive workforce planning for major “big build” infrastructure project and as part of the COVID-19 Rapid Response Team.
- HR Subject Matter Expert for the Human Capital Management (HCM) implementation of SuccessFactors (VicGov People), to ensure the system supported all industrial agreements including the VPS Agreement, policies, procedures and guidelines.
- Part of change management team, leading workforce transition and change activities.
- Providing senior policy advice as part of Victoria’s COVID-19 Rapid Response, Policy and Strategy Team.
- Department of Government Services: Senior HR Policy Adviser, Implementation of HR system VicGov People (SAP Success Factors), Sept 2022 – Jan 2024
- Department of Premier and Cabinet: Project Lead, Workforce Transition Program – Early Retirement Scheme, Mar 2022 – Aug 2022
- Department of Treasury and Finance: Project Lead, Workforce Transition Program – Early Retirement Scheme and other workforce reduction initiatives, Jun 2021 – Feb 2022
- Department of Health: Principal Adviser, COVID Rapid Response Team, Strategy and Policy, Sept 2020 – May 2021
- Department of Transport and Planning: Senior Human Resources Business Partner, North East Link Project, Mar 2020 – Aug 2020
Regional HR Manager
Fonterra
05.2018 - 02.2020
- Full responsibility for providing HR generalist and industrial relations support to people leaders and employees across two manufacturing sites (blue and white collar roles).
- Senior role requiring strong level of ER case management and IR experience.
- Extensive liaison with union officials and delegates.
- Led two EBA negotiations covering production and manufacturing workforce (ETU, AMWU and NUW).
- Partnered with People Leaders and P&C Managers to lead investigations in disciplinary procedures and performance related issues as well as a daily generalist remit.
- Supported and project managed important cyclical employee activities, collaborating with people leaders and employees to drive outcomes during annual performance reviews, remuneration reviews and engagement surveys.
- Led projects to build and deliver leadership capability within the business and supported the roll out of our HR strategy.
HR Manager
Citipower / Powercor
11.2016 - 04.2018
- Senior leadership role.
- Full HR responsibility for providing HR advice and industrial relations support to a client group of 250+ employees (blue and white collar roles).
- All HR generalist activities and workplace relations including complex case management.
- Provide counsel and support to managers, employees and key business unit stakeholders, ensuring compliance with HR policy and procedure.
- Implemented all people strategies and initiatives.
- Prepared all HR reporting and dashboard.
- Strong focus on resourcing and mobilising and demobilising projects.
- Possess a strong commercial focus to introduce cost saving measures and demonstrate a profit and loss mentality.
- Supported implementation of SuccessFactors and trained managers.
- Work with the bid management team to win major projects around solar, wind, transportation, communication and electrical transmission, distribution and maintenance contracts.
Senior HR Business Partner
Downer Group (United Energy contract)
03.2012 - 10.2016
- Part of senior leadership team leading the contract.
- The “go to” person for all HR generalist and IR matters.
- Liaison person with Electrical Trades Union (ETU) for contract related people matters.
- Led the EBA renegotiation working party across both Victorian Electricity Contracts.
- Provided direct support to the managers and employees of the business in all aspects of operational and project HR including performance appraisals, career development plans, disciplinary and redundancy/retrenchment matters, talent management, succession planning, employee engagement surveys and talent and sourcing.
- Responsible for managing the Apprentice Program across both Victorian Electricity Contracts (UE and AusNet) for four years (approximately 60 Apprentices)
- Regularly identified, monitored and reported on key people metrics and partnered with managers to identify opportunities and address issues proactively
- Initiated and managed the Wellness Program
- Contributed to zero harm activities and worked closely alongside the Healthy and Safety Manager
HR Consultant, Executive Coach, Trainer and Assessor, Outplacement Consultant
Self Employed
01.2006 - 02.2012
Human Resource Manager, SAP HR Business Analyst
National Australia Bank
04.2000 - 04.2005
Senior HR Business Partner
Hitachi Data Systems
07.1997 - 03.2000
Personnel Clerk, Resource Manager
Telstra Corporation
04.1992 - 06.1997
- Selected for graduate program – 1 of only 3 chosen from 3,000 applicants
Education
Bachelor of Business - Business Administration (Major: Human Resources)
Monash University
Skills
- Human resource generalist and industrial relations expert
- Lead matters before the Fair Work Commission
- Led Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) negotiations
- Excellent people management skills
- Certified Trainer and Assessor
- Certified Government Workplace Investigator
- Certified Mental Health First Aider
- Project and change management experience
- Experienced coach and mentor
- Private and public service experience
- Australian Human Resource Institute (AHRI) member
- Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) member
- Very computer literate
- Microsoft Office Suite including Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Teams
- SAP and SuccessFactors
INTERESTS
Playing guitar and piano, learning golf, 20 years teaching as a Group Fitness Instructor (Les Mills training system), St Kilda football club.
AVAILABILITY
Negotiable
Timeline
Workplace Relations Manager
Metro Trains Melbourne
03.2024 - Current
Various Human Resources and Workplace Relations roles
Victorian Public Service (VPS)
03.2020 - 01.2024
Regional HR Manager
Fonterra
05.2018 - 02.2020
HR Manager
Citipower / Powercor
11.2016 - 04.2018
Senior HR Business Partner
Downer Group (United Energy contract)
03.2012 - 10.2016
HR Consultant, Executive Coach, Trainer and Assessor, Outplacement Consultant
Self Employed
01.2006 - 02.2012
Human Resource Manager, SAP HR Business Analyst
National Australia Bank
04.2000 - 04.2005
Senior HR Business Partner
Hitachi Data Systems
07.1997 - 03.2000
Personnel Clerk, Resource Manager
Telstra Corporation
04.1992 - 06.1997
Bachelor of Business - Business Administration (Major: Human Resources)
Monash University