Manager Experience and Engagement

• Full-time, ongoing position at HEW 9.
• Hawkesbury campus with flexible working arrangements
• Salary: $137,681 – $147,032 per annum, plus 17% Super and Leave Loading.

Lead strategic initiatives that strengthen employee engagement, culture, recognition and experience across the University.

 

The Opportunity
You will lead the development and delivery of employee engagement and experience initiatives that support the University's strategic priorities and cultural aspirations. Working across the employee lifecycle, you will design programs that strengthen connection, belonging, recognition and employee voice while embedding organisational values and behaviours.

You will partner closely with senior leaders, HR Business Partners and stakeholders to co-design engagement, culture and employee experience initiatives. Through strong consultation and influence, you will help shape communication frameworks, recognition programs and culture-building activities that foster alignment, trust and clarity across diverse staff groups.

A key focus of the role is using employee insights to drive continuous improvement. You will analyse engagement, culture and employee experience data, utilise contemporary engagement tools including surveys, focus groups and pulse checks, and translate findings into practical initiatives that improve onboarding, recognition, wellbeing, retention and overall staff experience. You will also represent People & Culture in cross-functional projects and external partnerships that advance strategic organisational outcomes

What Success Looks Like:

• Deliver employee engagement strategies that strengthen a values-driven organisational culture.
• Implement recognition and employee experience programs that reinforce desired behaviours and celebrate achievement.
• Use engagement and culture insights to inform strategic decision-making and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strengthen employee voice, belonging, wellbeing and connection across diverse staff cohorts.
• Enhance employee lifecycle experiences through improvements to onboarding, communication, recognition and retention initiatives.

Please refer to the Position Description for full details.

About You

• Postgraduate qualifications in Organisational Psychology, Organisational Development, Human Resources or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Extensive experience leading employee engagement, organisational development, employee experience and culture transformation initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to translate engagement insights and data into practical organisational improvements and measurable outcomes.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, influencing and communication skills with experience working across executive and senior leadership groups.
• Experience leading change, change communication and cultural alignment initiatives, including the use of employee engagement tools such as surveys, focus groups and pulse checks.

Benefits
We invest in the people who make our mission possible. Alongside a rewarding career, we offer a range of benefits designed to support your financial, personal and family wellbeing.

• Financial benefits: Access to staff-only products and offers with selected banking partners, salary sacrifice options for onsite parking, and novated motor vehicle leasing.
• Health and wellbeing support: Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP), complimentary annual flu vaccination, eligibility for Fitness Passport membership, and access to discounted private health cover.
• Onsite childcare: Long day care and early learning services operate at our Campbelltown, Hawkesbury, Parramatta, and Penrith campuses. Staff may be eligible for discounted fees and salary packaging, with places subject to centre capacity.

Application Details

• Position Enquiries: Direct to Hiring Manager, Kelly Whitney, Executive Director, Organisational Development & Diversity, Equity & Inclusion via [email protected]. Please include the job reference code REF1710H
• Closing Date: 11:59pm, Sunday 16th August 2026
• Working Rights: You must provide evidence of full-time working rights in Australia at application.
• How to Apply: Please note that only applications submitted via the University’s online recruitment system will be considered. As part of your online application, you will be asked to respond to screening questions addressing the key qualifications, experiences and skills required for this position.

Belonging at Western
We are committed to substantive equality as outlined in our Equal Opportunity Policy. We actively encourage applications from Indigenous Australians, candidates of all gender identities and expressions, people of all abilities, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

For Reasonable Adjustments during the application process, please contact [email protected].

About Western
This is your opportunity to be part of something bigger. By joining Western Sydney University, you become a valued member of our community. As our region changes, so too does our university. Western is boldly different, energetic, global, diverse, dynamic, and youthful.

Our mission is to deliver student success, impactful research, and stronger communities. As part of our team, you will have a stake in shaping the future of education, broadening horizons, and changing lives. Making a difference starts at Western.

For the latest please visit our website and LinkedIn.