HR Partner

University of Sydney • Takoma Park, MD

11h

About The Position

The HR Partner works alongside leaders to translate the University’s workforce strategy into practical people outcomes. The role provides contemporary, evidence-based and pragmatic HR advice to help leaders navigate complex workforce matters, make informed decisions and deliver on strategic priorities. It requires building trusted relationships while working hands-on across a diverse, fast-paced portfolio, balancing organisational objectives, employee experience, risk and compliance.

The role translates complex HR, industrial relations and policy requirements into clear, practical advice grounded in the Enterprise Agreement, University policy, employment frameworks and contemporary HR practice. It manages multiple matters concurrently, prioritises effectively, maintains accurate records and provides stakeholders with timely, considered advice. The HR Partner collaborates with HR Centres of Expertise and other colleagues to provide an integrated service, and supports the Senior Manager and Associate Director with broader portfolio and HR initiatives.

This is a full-time, 12-month fixed-term opportunity. The base salary is $152,045 plus 17% superannuation. Applicants must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of employment; visa sponsorship is not available. Employment is conditional on completing and maintaining required pre-employment and background checks and making the specified declaration relating to sexual harm or gender-based violence.

Requirements

• Substantial HR partnering experience in a large, complex and multifaceted organisation.
• Ability to provide clear, pragmatic, solutions-focused advice grounded in evidence, policy, industrial instruments and employment frameworks.
• Strong experience interpreting and applying enterprise agreements, awards, employment legislation and organisational policies to complex workplace situations.
• Ability to work effectively in a high-case-load environment, balance competing priorities and provide responsive, high-quality stakeholder service.
• Strong time management, organisation and prioritisation skills, including sound judgement about urgency, risk and escalation.
• Strong case management and record-keeping discipline, including clear, accurate and contemporaneous documentation.
• Experience supporting organisational change, workforce planning and complex people initiatives.
• Confidence to respectfully challenge thinking, test assumptions and provide balanced options and recommendations.
• Highly developed stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to build credibility and trusted relationships with senior leaders.
• Collaborative approach to working across HR Partnering, specialist HR teams and other professional functions.
• Sound judgement and discretion in sensitive, confidential and complex people matters.
• Experience engaging with unions, employee representatives, government bodies or other external stakeholders where required.
• Unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of employment; visa sponsorship is not available.
• Successful completion and ongoing maintenance of required pre-employment, background and clearance checks, and the requested declaration relating to sexual harm or gender-based violence.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a tertiary education environment or a Centre of Expertise operating model.
• Experience supporting medical, health or allied health environments.

Responsibilities

• Partner with leaders to understand workforce priorities and provide pragmatic, evidence-based HR advice.
• Translate policy, industrial instruments and HR frameworks into practical options and recommendations on complex people matters.
• Manage a high-volume, varied portfolio of HR matters, assessing urgency, risk and competing priorities.
• Maintain high-quality case records and documentation of advice, decisions, actions and stakeholder interactions.
• Collaborate with HR Centres of Expertise and other HR colleagues to develop integrated, practical, client-focused solutions.
• Provide strategic and operational advice across workforce planning, organisational design, talent and succession, performance, workplace culture, reward and recognition, and organisational change.
• Support leaders through workforce and organisational change, including its people and operational implications.
• Use workforce insights, evidence and contemporary HR practice to identify emerging issues, challenge assumptions and support informed decision-making.
• Build leaders’ capability and confidence to manage people matters effectively.
• Contribute to continuous improvement in HR Partnering by sharing knowledge, identifying ways to simplify work and supporting consistent HR practice.
• Support the Senior Manager and Associate Director with portfolio and HR initiatives, including capability development, coaching, and implementing improved frameworks, technology and processes.

Benefits

• Base salary of $152,045 plus 17% superannuation.
• The University describes diversity and inclusion programs and strategies supporting participation and careers across its community.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed