Associate Director, Workplace Compliance and Policy

Full Time Continuing Opportunity

Establish And Lead A Newly Established Unit Driving Policy And Compliance Initiatives Across The University

Offering A Competitive Remuneration Package Including 17% Superannuation

About The Opportunity

The Associate Director, Workplace Compliance and Policy leads a team of experienced workplace and industrial compliance practitioners in delivering University-wide activities to ensure compliance with the University of Sydney Enterprise Agreement and other applicable workplace legislation and regulations. A key part to this role from the outset will be to establish the new Workplace Compliance and Policy Unit, including governance and reporting cadences and then lead a team to develop and continuously improve the University's processes for both policy development, compliance, and claims/case management.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• work with professional and academic colleagues to lead compliance efforts across the University, supporting continuous improvement and embedding consistent best-practice processes and frameworks across all faculties and business areas to deliver cohesive, consistent and rigorous compliance
• provide strategic advice on complex compliance and policy matters at a whole institution level and, when required, represent the University at external meetings and committees on these matters
• lead your high performing team as they conduct comprehensive assessments to address the University’s response to regulatory risks
• manage your Senior Managers, who lead the Policy and Project Team, the Workplace Compliance team, and the Case Management and Remediation team, and own the overall accountability for the overall progress and success of these work area objectives
• set the overarching strategy for compliance and reporting, and direct the Workplace Compliance risk management strategy
• provide input into the development of policies, processes, and work practices that support compliant management and effective risk mitigation
• drive the strategic approach to service delivery, fostering a culture of collaboration and ensuring service needs are anticipated, understood, and met with excellence.  

About You

• tertiary qualifications in Business, Human Resources, Law or a relevant field, or an equivalent combination of training and experience
• a proven and committed people leader, with a genuine interest and ability in developing and maintaining high performing teams in a challenging environment (experience establishing new units/teams is highly desirable)
• a track 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, ideally in Higher Education
• a superior understanding of Australian Industrial Relations laws and contemporary issues
• experience developing and maintaining relationships with external stakeholders including Unions and other employee representatives
• 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
• proven management experience at a senior level; together with flexibility, capacity to adapt to changing circumstances and environments and, when necessary, navigating through ambiguity.

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