Associate Director, Workplace Operations

Full Time 3-Year Fixed Term Opportunity

Drive Operational Excellence And Compliance In Casual Academic Workforce Management

Offering A Competitive Remuneration Package Including 17% Superannuation

About The Opportunity

The Associate Director, Workplace Operations works alongside the Associate Director, Workplace Compliance and Policy and leads the team responsible for supporting faculties to ensure that casual academic staff are paid in accordance with the University of Sydney Enterprise Agreement and other applicable workplace legislation and regulations. The role manages a team who provide timely updates to work allocations, resolution of timesheet discrepancies for casual academics, and other compliance related processes.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• initially assist with the transition of a team of casual and contract employees into ongoing roles within the structure and maintaining/improving relevant governance, reporting and communications etc
• work with your professional and academic colleagues to support faculties in meeting their operational compliance obligations
• lead the Workplace Operations function, ensuring operational excellence with a strong compliance focus across all areas of work delivery
• apply your expertise, sound judgement, and strong problem-solving skills to provide leadership and strategic direction to the Casual Academic Administration Lead and Client Relationship Leads, with broad feedback from the Executive Director, Workplace Relations and Compliance
• manage your team comprised of the Education, Training and Communications team, the Casual Academic Administration team, and the Workplace Operations Engagement team embedded within portfolios
• apply your extensive professional experience, skills, and knowledge to deliver the full spectrum of services and support to clients, to make informed recommendations that contribute to the workforce strategy.

About You

• undergraduate qualifications in Business, Human Resources, Accounting or a relevant field, or an equivalent combination of training and experience
• experience as a leader in payroll or work allocation that requires comprehensive knowledge of industrial instruments and time recording systems;
• comprehensive record of delivering results in a large, complex environment whilst managing personal energy and resilience, demonstrating strong organisational skills, and balancing multiple priorities to achieve deadlines
• proven capacity to provide collaborative leadership, including leadership of direct reports, staff and peers, in order to deliver workforce goals and to provide optimal quality, service and impact
• demonstrated delivery of operational excellence and experience developing fit for purpose HR solutions that work towards an aspirational culture and meet the needs of the organisational goals and customers
• prior experience in a ‘business partnering’ environment and an ability to build individual and team capabilities and deliver collaborative achievements and shared goals
• skilled in initiating and supporting organisational growth and change. Ability to identify opportunities and areas for improvements, and initiate, lead and implement administrative processes to achieve efficiency and service improvements
• ability to swiftly get up to speed with new systems and processes
• superior relationship and stakeholder management and proven ability to adapt to new situations and deliver positive, innovative solutions to complex strategic and operational issues, building the reputation of the HR function and delivering business impact. 

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to be eligible to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Pre-Employment Checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

Eeo Statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTQIA+. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. 

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Platinum Employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion. 

How To Apply

Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page.  

For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard.  Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.

For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or any documents in alternate formats, please contact Toby Berryman, Recruitment Operations by email to toby.berryman@sydney.edu.au .

• © The University of Sydney
• The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.

Click to view the Position Description for this role.

Applications Close

Wednesday 15 October 2025 11:59 PM