- Full-time, ongoing senior position
- Hawkesbury Campus with flexible working arrangements.
- Opportunity to make a difference
Lead end‑to‑end HR operations, balancing service excellence with process improvement and digital enablement.
The Opportunity
You will lead the University’s core HR Operations function, ensuring high‑quality, timely and compliant HR services across the employee lifecycle. The role has accountability for Tier 0 and Tier 1 service delivery, workload management and escalation, while maintaining strong governance, risk management and compliance standards.
You will drive continuous improvement and automation initiatives, working closely with specialist roles to streamline processes, expand self‑service capability and embed new digital solutions. Using data and performance insights, you will monitor service quality, identify risks and support informed decision‑making.
You will partner with Payroll and Compliance, HRIS and Analytics, and other People functions to deliver an integrated and consistent employee experience. Through clear leadership and coaching, you will foster a high‑performing team culture that builds capability in process thinking, digital literacy and customer‑centred service.
What Success Looks Like:
- HR Operations services are delivered accurately, efficiently and in line with legislative and enterprise agreement requirements.
- Service standards, workloads and escalation pathways are effectively managed.
- Automation and continuous improvement initiatives deliver measurable efficiency and quality gains.
- Performance metrics and insights are used to proactively manage risk and improve services.
- The HR Operations team is engaged, capable and aligned to University values and priorities.
Please refer to the Position Description for full details.
About You
- Extensive leadership experience in HR operations or shared services within a large, complex organisation.
- Strong knowledge of employment legislation, enterprise agreements and compliance obligations.
- Demonstrated success delivering process improvement and digital transformation outcomes.
- Highly developed stakeholder engagement, communication and change management skills.
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving capability, with experience using HRIS and digital tools.
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 Mason Elias, Director, HR Operations and Enablement via [email protected] Please include the job reference code REF1497L
- Closing Date: 11:59pm, Wednesday 5th 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.
Skills Required
- Extensive leadership experience in HR operations or shared services within a large, complex organisation.
- Strong knowledge of employment legislation, enterprise agreements and compliance obligations.
- Demonstrated success delivering process improvement and digital transformation outcomes.
- Highly developed stakeholder engagement, communication and change management skills.
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving capability, with experience using HRIS and digital tools.
- Evidence of full‑time working rights in Australia at application.
What We Do
Western Sydney University is a public research university based in Greater Western Sydney, Australia. It offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and research degrees. The university is known for its commitment to student-centered learning, impactful research, and community engagement, consistently ranking among the top universities globally for its contributions to sustainable development and societal challenges.
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