Director, People Advisory

Take the next step in your career journey by joining Adelaide University as Director, People Advisory where your leadership will help an inclusive, high-performing workplace for generations to come.

Role overview:

Adelaide University is seeking a Director, People Advisory to provide strategic leadership in delivering exceptional, people-centred advisory and partnering services across the institution. This role offers the opportunity to shape the future of workplace practices at one of Australia’s leading universities, where your leadership will directly contribute to empowering people, resolving complex matters with care, and building capability across the organisation.

Adelaide University is defined by its commitment to launching futures of its students, staff, and community. Guided by the core values, the University fosters a culture where people feel supported to grow, contribute, and succeed. Located in the vibrant Adelaide CBD, this role offers flexible working opportunities and access to a connected, purpose-driven community that prioritises wellbeing and impact.

As Director, People Advisory, you will lead a dedicated team to deliver innovative, insight-driven advisory services that enable people and leaders to perform at their best. You will play a critical role in shaping a consistent, future-focused people experience, embedding best practice across the employee lifecycle, and ensuring services are responsive, effective, and aligned to the University’s purpose driven mission.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the People Advisory function to deliver consistent, high-quality, and compliant services that build trust and confidence across the University
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive team culture aligned with Adelaide University’s values, supporting capability uplift and continuous development
• Partner with subject matter experts to co-create targeted initiatives across the People and Culture domain that strengthen advisory capability and future readiness
• Work collaboratively across People & Culture to establish integrated frameworks that enable proactive, consistent, and people-centred advice
• Oversee service entry points to streamline access, improve triage and escalation pathways, and ensure timely, effective resolution
• Partner with senior leaders to provide expert guidance on complex people matters across the employee lifecycle
• Embed data-informed approaches to monitor service effectiveness, drive continuous improvement, and ensure alignment with policy and governance

Your background:

• Proven ability to lead and inspire high-performing teams, creating environments where people feel valued, supported, and empowered
• Demonstrated experience delivering contemporary service models that enhance both people experience and organisational outcomes
• Strong HR generalist expertise, with the capability to navigate and resolve complex and sensitive people matters
• Exceptional change and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships and influence across diverse groups to elevate performance and outcomes
• Experience leveraging data and insights to improve service delivery or product development to enable better people outcomes
• Commitment to lifelong learning, supported by postgraduate qualifications in human resources or a related discipline (or equivalent experience)

Why join Adelaide University?

Adelaide University are building something extraordinary. A place where bold ideas thrive and passionate people come together to shape the future. As one of Australia’s largest universities, Adelaide University offer the opportunity to be part of a globally connected community making a meaningful impact.

This role is a unique opportunity to contribute during a formative chapter in the University’s journey. You’ll help shape a culture grounded in trust, transparency, and forward-thinking practice where people are empowered to grow, collaborate, and innovate.

With flexible working arrangements and a strong focus on wellbeing, Adelaide University supports you to thrive professionally and personally so you can make a lasting difference.

This is a fixed-term contract for 5 years.

Applications close Wednesday 17th June 2026.

To apply, please click "Apply" or contact Ella Morgan directly on 08 8216 3553 or ella.morgan@robertwalters.com.au for a confidential discussion.