Principal Advisor, HR Total Rewards

About This Opportunity

The Principal Advisor, HR Total Rewards plays a pivotal role in leading strategic remuneration and rewards initiatives that enhance the employee experience across the University. This role is responsible for delivering initiatives including a values-driven remuneration strategy, job profile reform, and the implementation of UQ's rewards and recognition framework. Working closely with HR specialist teams and stakeholders, the position provides expert advice on compensation and benefits while driving consistent, data-informed reward practices across the University.

Key responsibilities will include

• Lead the implementation of UQ's remuneration and rewards strategy, ensuring alignment with organisational values, internal equity, and talent attraction and retention goals.
• Provide expert, high-level advice on compensation and benefits matters, including enterprise bargaining, executive remuneration, and salary benchmarking.
• Oversee and coordinate the job profile review project, including audit activities, profile updates, and training delivery to HR stakeholders.
• Collaborate with HR specialist teams and stakeholders to support the delivery of performance bonus processes, policy development, and strategic workforce reporting.

This is a full-time, continuing position at HEW Level 7 . The base salary will be in the range of $106,709 - $116,198 plus 17% superannuation .

About You

You are a forward-thinking HR professional with demonstrated experience in rewards management and the ability to influence outcomes within a complex organisational environment.

• Degree qualifications in Human Resources, Business, or a related field, with at least four years' relevant experience in HR, management, or equivalent professional practice.
• Proven experience in rewards management, including the design and implementation of compensation and benefits programs within complex organisations.
• Experience in job evaluation methodologies within complex organisations, with Hay/Mercer certification highly regarded.
• Strong leadership capability with experience supervising, mentoring, and developing HR professionals.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with sound judgement when managing sensitive remuneration and benefits matters.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships and influence a broad range of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated success working in advisory or service delivery roles within complex policy and stakeholder environments, ideally within the higher education or public sector.

Interested?

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Sai Kanagala, Senior Manager, HR Total Rewards at s.kanagala@uq.edu.au . For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at talent@uq.edu.au , stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.

When you apply, please ensure you upload a resume and cover letter summarizing how your background aligns to the ‘About You’ section.

Other Information

Pre-employment checks may include: verification of the right to work in Australia and criminal history checks. This may also include checks relating to gender-based violence matters or other integrity and conduct requirements.

We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion . We recognise that career pathways and opportunities differ, and encourage applications from candidates who may not meet every criteria but can demonstrate their potential relative to opportunity. We’re also happy to support any accessibility needs throughout the recruitment process. Just let us know how we can help by emailing talent@uq.edu.au or calling +61 7 3365 2623.

Applications close Friday 31 July 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R- 67720 ).