Senior Manager, HR Platforms

Own the Workday platform roadmap, governance model and ongoing service delivery

Lead the team through its next phase, strengthening collaboration, accountability and capability

Offering a competitive remuneration package including 17% superannuation

Why join the University of Sydney?

Join one of Australia's leading universities at a pivotal time, where technology is evolving to better support student learning, teaching excellence, and research at global scale.

ICT is central to the University's mission, delivering the platforms, services, and partnerships that enable student success, strengthen teaching, and accelerate research impact.

With strong investment and ambitious transformation underway, you'll work in a large and complex environment where your contribution will have visible, meaningful impact across the University community.

The opportunity

This is a senior leadership opportunity to take ownership of the University’s HR technology ecosystem, with primary responsibility for the strategy, governance, delivery and ongoing optimisation of Workday.

You’ll lead the development of the platform roadmap and governance foundations that support Workday across HCM, Recruitment, Security, Learning, Advanced Compensation, Absence, Payroll, Integrations and Workday Extend. A key priority will be ensuring the platform is secure, scalable and effectively integrated with the University’s broader enterprise technology environment.

Working across HR, ICT, Finance and external partners, you’ll influence senior stakeholders, shape strategic initiatives and ensure the platform delivers lasting organisational value .

You’ll also lead a team of Workday Specialists, strengthening culture, capability and accountability while positioning the team to deliver operational priorities and the platform’s future roadmap.

What you'll do

Own the strategy, governance, roadmap and end-to-end lifecycle of the University’s Workday platform environment.

Establish effective governance and operating practices across tenant management, security, releases, enhancements and service delivery.

Oversee Workday capabilities across HCM, Recruitment, Security, Learning, Advanced Compensation, Absence, Payroll, Integrations and Workday Extend.

Lead the integration of Workday with finance, payroll and other enterprise applications, working closely with architecture, integration and ICT teams.

Partner with senior stakeholders to shape priorities, support discovery and planning, and translate business needs into strategic platform outcomes.

Manage vendors, implementation partners and augmented resources, while acting as the escalation point for complex platform and service issues.

Lead and develop a team of Workday specialists and administrators, strengthening capability, collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.

What we're looking for

Extensive experience owning or managing Workday within a large and complex enterprise environment.

Broad expertise across the Workday ecosystem, including HCM and multiple functional areas such as Recruitment, Security, Learning, Absence, Payroll, Integrations and Workday Extend.

Strong experience in platform strategy, governance, tenant management, release management, security, platform optimisation and continuous improvement.

Deep understanding of enterprise integrations and experience connecting Workday with finance, payroll and other core business applications.

Proven people leadership experience, including coaching, performance management, workforce planning and building capability across specialist technical teams.

A track record of creating a positive and accountable team culture, managing conflict and leading teams through change.

Experience leading complex platform initiatives involving senior stakeholders, vendors, implementation partners and cross-functional teams.

Strong communication , influencing and commercial skills, with experience across service delivery, vendor management, budgets, risk and resource planning.

What's in it for you?

At the University of Sydney, staff are supported with benefits designed to enhance career development, wellbeing and work-life balance, including:

17% superannuation to support your financial future

Generous parental leave entitlements

Salary packaging options

Flexible and hybrid working arrangements

Career development and learning opportunities

Health and wellbeing programs, including Fitness Passport

Access to a vibrant, globally recognised university community

How to apply

If you're looking for an opportunity to contribute to meaningful work while building your career in a world-class university environment, we would love to hear from you.

Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page.

Accessibility and inclusion

The University of Sydney is committed to creating an inclusive recruitment experience for all candidates. If you require adjustments or additional support at any stage of the recruitment process, we encourage you to let us know.

This may include adjustments to the interview format, additional time, breaks, accessible interview locations, receiving materials in advance, or any other practical support that will help you participate comfortably.

For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or any documents in alternate formats, please contact Nick Barwick, nick.barwick@sydney.edu.au .

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion , evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People , women , people living with a disability , people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds , and those who identify as LGBTIQ+ . We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion .

Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University.

Also, to meet the University’s obligations under the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Eliminate Gender-Based Violence you will be asked to declare if you have been investigated for, or found to engaged in, sexual harm or gender-based violence in the course of previous employment or in a legal process.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to be eligible to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.

Click to view the Position Description for this role.

Applications Close

Sunday 30 August 2026 11:59 PM