Applications close on Monday 15 December 2025 (time of interviews will be negotiated – late December or from mid-January)
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
The IEU is seeking applications from enthusiastic and dynamic education professionals to join our team of Organisers.
The Organiser is responsible for implementing, monitoring and reporting on strategies to recruit, organise, empower and retain union members at early childhood education and care (ECEC) workplaces.
This position requires regular visits to ECEC workplaces and interaction with teachers and educators. The role is responsible for addressing member enquiries and representing and supporting members in more complex employment matters.
The Organiser supports workplaces by building membership density and assisting members to address service/organisation issues collectively.
The role contributes to the formulation and the implementation of the union’s industrial strategies and campaigns. The role also depends on collaboration and mutual respect, fostering positive and constructive relationships.
Your commencement would be negotiable but should preferably be no later than February 2026.
The position can be based in our Ultimo office.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
As an Early Childhood Education and Care Organiser, you will:
- Visit ECEC workplaces
- to enhance and maintain the union’s presence
- for recruitment of new members and retention of existing members
- to organise and support members to identify and collectively address workplace issues and build workplace activism
- To establish relationships with new and current members to facilitate engagement and commitment to the union.
- Assist with the development of strategies, including mapping of priority sites, for the recruitment and retention of members.
- Explain and gain support for union campaigns and feed back members’ views about the direction and strategies of union campaigns to union colleagues and union leadership
- Advocate on behalf of members: contacting employer authorities for the resolution of disputes and/or attending meetings and representing members.
- Keep accurate digital file notes and records of contact/advice provided.
- Assist and/or provide support in enterprise bargaining for new or replacement enterprise agreements.
- Advise union colleagues and union leadership on members’ views about issues of importance to members, including for example, child safety, workload, regulation and funding.
- Attend and contribute to IEU Council meetings.
- On occasion, contribute to digital and print publications or other union communications.
- Liaise as appropriate with other IEU Officers and staff.
- Attend Early Childhood Council meetings four times a year.
- Contribute to reports for Executive, Council and the Annual General Meeting.
ABOUT YOU
We are looking for an astute communicator who can quickly build rapport with staff at Early Childhood Education and Care centres and services. The ideal candidate is a person who likes to work with others, is well organised, can work both independently and as part of a team, and is dedicated to enhancing the conditions of our members.
The ideal candidate has
- A demonstrated commitment to union values.
- Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, particularly written and verbal, as well as negotiation skills.
- An ability to problem solve with an outcomes-focused mindset.
- An ability to identify recruitment and member growth opportunities in workplaces.
- An ability to communicate with members and non-members in one-on-one settings and in meetings.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
- Competency with workplace technologies and systems.
- An ability to acquire knowledge of industrial relations including underpinning legislative framework, enterprise agreements and the ability to explain these to members to ensure understanding of advice provided.
- An ability to be self-directed, whilst collaborating as part of a team, subject to the direction of the Secretary.
- An ability to maintain confidentiality and use discretion to keep sensitive information private.
- Knowledge of current issues in education, particularly in the early childhood education and care sector.
The IEU will provide a thorough training and induction program.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Organisers generally work from 9am-5pm but attendance at meetings outside these hours will be required from time to time. There is considerable flexibility in the working hours. Occasional weekend and evening work will be required. Some overnight travel may also be necessary to visit Early Childhood Centres located in the allocated geographical region.
Organisers receive time in lieu of one day per month, additional annual leave, closedown leave over the Christmas period, and other conditions in line with or above industry standards.
A fully maintained car will be provided for the performance of duties and some limited personal use is permitted. A current driver’s licence is essential.
IEU Organisers can join the union and participate in IEU Council.
SALARY
The successful applicant will be appointed under contract by the IEU Executive and will be accountable to the Secretary in the first instance.
Salary will be in accordance with the IEU Officers’ salary scale that has links to rates for promotions positions in schools. Starting salary is usually one incremental step on the Officers’ scale above the salary the applicant would earn in 2025.
HOW TO APPLY
Please address your application to: The Secretary, IEUA NSW/ACT Branch.
For more information about the role, please contact Joanna Kotsakis on 8202 8900.
- Job Posted: Thursday 27 November 2025
- Applications close: Monday 15 December 2025 at 5:00pm
- View and apply via Ethical Jobs