Workplace manager

Guardian Australia is part of Guardian News & Media (GNM), publisher of theguardian.com. As a leading global media organisation, we are renowned for our pioneering independent journalism and our award-winning digital products.

We are seeking a workplace manager in Sydney to be the primary, hands-on point of contact for operations management at Guardian Australia’s four office locations.

In this role you will…

Offices & facilities

• Take a proactive, hands-on approach to facilities management, using initiative to identify and document issues, escalate if necessary, and act to resolve
• Be the primary contact for staff reporting facilities matters, including after-hours emergencies from time to time
• Manage on-site service providers, such as cleaning and security, ensuring satisfactory service levels with reported matters being addressed or resolved in a timely manner
• Proactively manage office stocks including kitchen, stationery and first aid supplies
• Organise contractors for facilities projects within budget and specified timelines
• Coordinate repairs/service checks for kitchen appliances, air conditioning, electrical testing & tagging, meter reads, alert systems
• Periodically review office services vendors to ensure Guardian Australia is receiving a competitive rate and satisfactory service level
• Maintain a database of contracts ensuring upcoming renewal, milestone and option dates are flagged with the appropriate business owners
• Assist the Head of IT and Operations with insurance renewals
• Work with CFO and Head of IT and Operations on long-term office strategy, coordinate office moves or reconfigurations
• Draft and send internal communications to staff about changes that affect the workplace
• Provide support to staff around the purchase order & expenses system
• Other general office duties as required

Sustainability

• Collate data for annual carbon audits
• Manage supplier relationships (e.g. travel, cleaning, utilities) and onboard suppliers with aligned values wherever possible
• Develop relationships with building managers and encourage sustainability improvements at our office locations
• Champion sustainability initiatives, encourage staff adoption and participation

Security, WHS & Emergency Procedures

• Actively participate in the WHS committee 
• Recruit volunteer committee members, first aiders and emergency wardens in all departments and Australia office locations
• Implement office security initiatives and strategies
• Supervise on site security personnel
• Ensure emergency wardens and first aiders maintain current training
• Liaise with management on any threats received by email, mail or phone, and manage appropriate reporting

Policies and procedures

• Update internal employee site content in conjunction with HR and IT teams
• Ensure compliance with WHS standards at all offices
• Assess and mitigate company risk with regard to work, health and safety in consultation with the CFO and HR Director
   

You’ll bring….

Knowledge and experience

• Experience with workplace management across multiple sites
• Demonstrated experience supervising building contractors, such as security, cleaning, and trades.
• Demonstrated success managing positive stakeholder relationships, both internal and external to the organisation
• Experience drafting policies, procedures, and communications
• Experience coordinating office modifications and/or reconfigurations
• Ability to work flexible hours and travel interstate occasionally
• Demonstrated knowledge of project management principles, including formal qualifications or relevant practical experience (desirable)
   

Skills / behaviours

• The ability to coordinate projects and engage effectively with trade and service contractors
• Excellent negotiation and influencing skills, in person and in writing
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion,  and sound judgement to deal with difficult situations
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and with an ability to build effective working relationships with people at all levels
• Motivated, proactive, with strong initiative
• Good analytical, lateral thinking and problem solving skills
• Organised with the ability to prioritise around workflow, manage own time and meet deadlines
• Calm under pressure
• Tactful, adaptable and a team player
• Confident in own capabilities
• High attention to detail
• Willingness to take ownership
• Optimistic ‘can do’ attitude
   

About working at Guardian Australia… 
 

• Employee assistance program (EAP) to support employee wellbeing
• Paid volunteer leave
• Dedicated diversity and inclusion employee groups, action plans (including our Reconciliation Action Plan) and cultural competency training
• Guardian digital subscription
   

For more information please view the full job description here.
 

This role is being offered on a full-time, permanent basis. 
 

To apply for this position, please apply online and upload your résumé (maximum three pages) plus covering letter. In your covering letter please outline your motivation for applying for the role and why you think you are suitable.

Closing date for applications: 23 June 2026

If you have application questions or if you require an adjustment to be made during the recruitment process, please email [email protected]
 

We believe that our role in the Australian media is to give a voice to the most marginalised people in society and value and respect all differences in all people — including people of colour, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from different social classes, people with diverse gender and sexual identities, and people with disabilities (seen and unseen). We believe that these communities must be centred in the work we do, bringing a new perspective and a diversity of thought. We also encourage flexible working and aim to create a work environment where all employees feel respected.