HR Services Manager - APAC

Bradken Ltd.; Newcastle City Council; Hybrid; AUD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Safety-first culture

Competitive pay and benefits

Flexible work options

Learning and development opportunities

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Bradken Ltd. is seeking a regional HR Services leader to oversee payroll, benefits and employee administration across 12 countries, including Australia, India, China and Malaysia. You will manage a geographically dispersed team from Australia with an emphasis on governance, automation and service improvement.

You will bring 7+ years in payroll or HR operations, expert ADP experience, and strong leadership and stakeholder skills to deliver compliant, efficient HR services across the APAC region.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in payroll, HR operations or HR services with multi-country payroll experience.
• Experience leading geographically dispersed teams through change and competing priorities.
• Regional mindset and learning agility to build knowledge beyond existing areas.
• Adaptable, collaborative leadership with sound judgement and openness to feedback.
• Strong communication, stakeholder management and influencing skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop a geographically dispersed HR Services team across locations.
• Oversee multi-country payroll, benefits and HR administration with compliant delivery.
• Translate global priorities into practical regional plans addressing local needs.
• Strengthen payroll governance, controls, audit management and operational risk.
• Lead process improvement, standardisation, automation and systems initiatives.
• Partner with People & Culture, Finance, leaders and external providers to resolve complex matters.
• Use data and service measures to monitor performance and guide decisions.

Skills

Leadership

Change management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Payroll governance

Process improvement

HR operations

Multi-country payroll

Education

Tertiary qualification in HR/Business/Accounting/Payroll

Tools

ADP

UKG/Kronos

Excel

Microsoft 365

Job description

Bradken is a global leader in innovative wear solutions and custom-engineered products for the resources sector. For our more than 3,000 people, that global reach creates opportunities to share expertise, solve meaningful challenges and grow through new experiences. Together, we help the resources sector sustainably advance society.

About The Role

HR Services sits at the centre of the employee experience, connecting people, processes, systems and compliance across the Asia-Pacific region.

In this role, you will lead payroll, benefits and employee administration services across 12 countries and a geographically dispersed team in Australia, India, China and Malaysia.

This regional leadership role requires curiosity, adaptability and a genuine interest in understanding how HR Services operates across different countries.

You will work closely with local teams to build knowledge, strengthen service delivery and create a connected APAC function.

This role is based in Australia, and applicants must have Australian working rights. A Bradken office location (Brisbane, Newcastle or Perth) is preferred, however remote arrangements within Australia may be considered for the right candidate.

In This Role, You Will

• Lead, coach and develop a geographically dispersed HR Services team, creating clear priorities, consistent support and accountability across locations.
• Oversee multi-country payroll, benefits and HR administration, ensuring accurate, timely and compliant service delivery.
• Translate global priorities into practical regional plans that respond to local requirements and business needs.
• Strengthen payroll governance, controls, audit management and operational risk across the region.
• Lead process improvement, standardisation, automation and systems initiatives.
• Partner with People & Culture, Finance, leaders and external providers to resolve complex matters and improve service outcomes.
• Use data and service measures to monitor performance, identify risks and guide decisions.

What You’ll Bring

• At least seven years’ experience in payroll, HR Operations or HR Services, including multi-country payroll, employee administration and benefits.
• Experience leading and developing geographically dispersed teams through change and competing priorities.
• A regional mindset and the learning agility to build knowledge outside your existing areas of expertise.
• An adaptable and collaborative leadership style, with sound judgement and openness to feedback and different perspectives.
• Strong communication, stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Experience in payroll governance, compliance, audit, operational risk and process improvement.
• Payroll systems experience, including ADP, which is essential, with exposure to UKG/Kronos or similar platforms.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft 365 applications.
• A tertiary qualification in Human Resources, Business, Accounting, Payroll or a related discipline is preferred.

Please note:

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the country where this role is based. Bradken is unable to provide visa or work permit sponsorship for this role.

At Bradken, you’ll do work that matters. Whatever your role, your contribution helps solve real challenges for our customers and supports safer, more efficient and more sustainable resource operations.

You’ll join a team that values different perspectives, shares expertise and has the courage to challenge how things are done. We support your growth through hands‑on experience, learning and development, and opportunities to work across functions and locations. Safety, respect and wellbeing come first, so you can do your best work and enjoy life beyond it.

We Offer

• A safety-first culture
• Competitive pay and benefits
• Flexible work options, where the role allows
• Learning and development opportunities
• An Employee Assistance Program for you and your family

Our hiring process

As part of our selection process, we may invite you to complete a one-way video screening at a time that works for you. This helps us provide a fair and consistent experience when working across locations and time zones. If you need an adjustment or alternative format at any stage, please let us know.

Before commencing employment

you will be required to complete a psychometric assessment and a pre-employment medical, including drug and alcohol testing.

We respectfully request no recruitment agency approaches.

Bradken is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing a diverse, inclusive, engaging and flexible environment for our people. All employment decisions are based on merit, competence, performance and business needs.