• Flexible location + hybrid work arrangements
• Full-time and continuing
• HEW 10 $147,757 + 17% Superannuation

Why work with us?

At Deakin you will have access to benefits such as a variety of leave options including generous parental leave and the ability to purchase additional leave; flexible working arrangements to help manage your work-life balance; ongoing learning and development opportunities to grow your career; an inclusive and supportive culture and environment to work in, both online and on campus.

Who are we?

Deakin is a cutting-edge public university in Victoria, revolutionising education with 61,000 students across seven campuses: Melbourne Burwood, Geelong Waurn Ponds, Geelong Waterfront, Warrnambool, Deakin University Lancaster University Indonesia (DLI), GIFT City, India and our dynamic online Campus. We're proud to be a progressive and open-minded university, delivering the highest student satisfaction in Victoria and consistently ranked in the top 1% of the world's universities.

The Senior Manager, People Operations provides visible leadership of a team of professional roles and is responsible for the achievement of results for the people operation team’s services and activities. The role manages the integration of activities within a function and collaborates across multiple practices and processes to achieve the engagement of a network of stakeholders with different contributions. The role is actively involved in and concerned with the influencing of others to achieve outcomes in alignment with university strategies and goals and drives changes which improve people operations policies, practices and methods.

The role reports to Associate Director, People Services and provides sound advice and recommendations to senior leaders on the professional practice and discipline of people operations.

As a Senior Manager, People Operations you will:

• Lead and mentor a high-performing people operations team, fostering a collaborative environment and supporting staff development.
• Oversee end-to-end employee lifecycle processes, ensuring accurate onboarding, contract management, variations, and offboarding in compliance with Australian employment laws and university policies.
• Act as a trusted advisor to leaders by aligning people operations with strategic goals, managing stakeholder relationships, and addressing complex change management challenges.
• Ensure operational excellence through collaboration with digital and infrastructure teams, maintaining data integrity, system efficiency, and audit readiness.
• Drive continuous improvement by identifying and implementing people process enhancements to boost efficiency, service quality, and compliance.

To be successful, you’ll have:

• Proven expertise in the management of significant human and material resources.
• Postgraduate qualifications and extensive relevant experience and understanding of people operations legislation, university-specific agreements, and the ability to lead a team in a dynamic, compliance driven environment in a large complex organisation.
• Knowledge of and technical expertise in people operations service, including improving processes, and ensuring customer satisfaction in people operations services
• Experience leading a people operations services team and project management skills
• An understanding of tools, technologies and practices to deliver an effective, efficient and compliant people operations service
• Deep knowledge of people operations compliance, reporting and risk management

Here's how to apply: 

Please submit your updated resume and a short cover letter outlining your skills and experience.

For a confidential discussion regarding this role, please contact Jill Delany (Associate Director, People Services) on j.delany@deakin.edu.au

For a copy of the position description, please see below:

 Senior Manager, People Operations_HEW 10 (1) (1).pdf

Applications for this position close on 19th June, 2025

Are You Ready?

Deakin is a Victorian university with a global impact. We are an agile, dynamic, and innovative university committed to making a positive impact through our excellence in education, research and innovation and the contributions we make to the wider community.

We understand that our reputation has been built on the dedication and expertise of our staff and we offer a dynamic and diverse working environment with opportunities to grow and develop careers. We believe that a progressive, thriving culture will ensure that people choose to come, and stay at Deakin and contribute to our ongoing success.

We value diversity and aim to build an inclusive environment that champions, embraces and respects differences. We support and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people of all abilities, cultures, sexual orientation, and genders.