Practice Design and Improvement Lead in Adelaide

The University of Adelaide is a uniquely rewarding workplace. The size, breadth and quality of our education and research programs - including significant industry, government and community collaborations - offers you vast scope and opportunities.

Full-time, fixed term contract until 30 September 2028. Salary Range: $135,226 - $144,672 per annum (plus 17% superannuation).

At Adelaide University, we create the opportunities you need to achieve your ambitions – because when you thrive, we thrive. We are transforming education for contemporary learners and global citizens. Building on a proud legacy and shaped by bold ambition, it’s a place of excellence and equity, where our vibrant community of staff are united by our purpose to inspire Australia’s future change-makers and create a better tomorrow.

Work that matters: Lead the design and implementation of future-state pay accuracy and entitlement practices that strengthen compliance and help prevent future underpayments across Adelaide University. As the leader of the Practice Design and Improvement workstream, you will lead a team focused on continuous improvement, operating model design and end-to-end process transformation, turning audit, remediation and discovery findings into practical, sustainable solutions. You will drive the development of frameworks, standards, controls and processes that support accurate payment outcomes and embed stronger practices into business-as-usual operations.

The team: Join a team delivering meaningful outcomes for our people. In this role, you will partner with business leaders, Payroll, Employee Relations, HR and IT to deliver complex process and system improvements across the employee lifecycle, with an initial focus on high-risk employment arrangements and payment practices. Our people are guided by purpose, curiosity and a commitment to lifelong learning. We embrace authenticity, innovation and collaboration, and harness diverse thinking in our pursuit of excellence.

This role is perfect for someone who thrives on leading complex transformation and continuous improvement, with a strong understanding of process design, operating models and compliance. You’ll be skilled at turning audit, remediation and risk findings into practical, sustainable improvements, and confident working across people, process and technology. If you’re a strong stakeholder manager who can influence senior leaders and lead large-scale change, you’ll be well suited to this opportunity.

Experience: To join our community and thrive in this role, you will likely have the following skills and experience:

• Leading business transformation, operating model design or continuous improvement initiatives within a complex organisation.
• Demonstrated experience translating compliance, audit or remediation findings into sustainable operational improvements.
• Proven ability to lead large-scale process redesign and implementation programs.
• Working with payroll, workforce management, HR or related compliance environments.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, including working with senior leaders.
• Experience managing cross-functional projects involving technology, people and process change.
• Delivery of a Practice Design and Improvement workstream, ensuring governance, reporting, risk management and implementation activities achieve sustainable and measurable outcomes.

Our commitment to inclusion and diversity: We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion where diversity is celebrated and everyone feels respected and valued. Adelaide University is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and equitable workplace where everyone can thrive. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, and people of all ages, genders, cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities. We are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements and providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

Launch your future with Adelaide University now. The online application form will list the specific selection criteria that you need to address. For further information about this opportunity, please contact (quoting reference number 493579). Applications welcomed from Australian or NZ citizens, Australian permanent residents and those who have the legal right to work in Australia for the term of appointment.