Senior Data Analyst

The University of Adelaide; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 104,000 - 116,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Adelaide is seeking a Payroll Data Analyst to help ensure accurate and fair pay across the workforce. You will analyze complex payroll data, extract insights, and support compliance initiatives, working closely with People & Culture teams.

Your work will reduce risk, improve data integrity and enable informed decision-making to support the University’s mission and its staff across campuses.

Qualifications

• Experience analysing complex workforce, payroll or large datasets to uncover insights.
• Experience using reporting tools to extract, validate, reconcile and present data for decision-making.
• Proven advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including complex formulas and quality assurance techniques.
• Experience documenting analytical methodologies, data definitions and reporting processes.
• Proven ability to investigate data anomalies and recommend improvements to systems and controls.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities and communicate findings to stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Make sure employees are paid accurately and fairly.
• Use your analytical expertise to uncover insights from workforce and payroll data.
• Support compliance and remediation initiatives.
• Influence decision-making and strengthen data integrity across the University.
• Reduce organisational risk and build trust across the University community.

Skills

Data analysis

Payroll data analysis

Advanced Excel

Data extraction

Stakeholder communication

Auditing/compliance awareness

Job description

Based in in People & Culture at the City West Campus

Full-time 12-month fixed term contract

Salary Range: $103,719- $116,002 per annum (plus 17% superannuation)

At Adelaide University, we create the opportunities you need to achieve your ambitions – because when you thrive, we thrive.

We are transforming education for contemporary learners and global citizens. Building on a proud legacy and shaped by bold ambition, it’s a place of excellence and equity, where our vibrant community of staff are united by our purpose to inspire Australia’s future change-makers and create a better tomorrow.

Work that matters

Make a meaningful impact by helping ensure employees are paid accurately and fairly.

In this role, you'll use your analytical expertise to uncover insights from complex workforce and payroll data, identify and resolve entitlement issues, and support critical compliance and remediation initiatives. Your work will directly influence decision-making, strengthen data integrity, reduce organisational risk, and contribute to building trust across the University community.

If you're passionate about turning data into actionable outcomes and making a genuine difference through your work, this is an opportunity to help shape positive change at scale.

The team

These roles sit within the Discovery and Remediation Stream within the Pay Accuracy and Entitlements Program aligned to the People and Culture Portfolio.

Working closely with People Services and Careers, Legal, Risk, data and analytics teams, senior leaders, and external regulatory bodies, the team provides trusted advice on complex compliance matters, support audit activities, monitor legislative changes, and helps embed consistent, compliant practices across the University.

Visit the AU website to learn more about People & Culture.

Our people

Our people are guided by purpose, curiosity and a commitment to lifelong learning. We embrace authenticity, innovation and collaboration, and harness diverse thinking in our pursuit of excellence.

The ideal candidate for this role is experienced in data extraction and data analysis with strong skills in workforce, payroll or large-scale data analysis. They combine technical expertise with a keen eye for detail, delivering accurate insights that support compliance, decision-making and continuous improvement.

A collaborative communicator, they build trusted stakeholder relationships and are motivated by using data to solve complex problems and drive meaningful outcomes.

Learn more about our people, what we stand for and what we offer at Careers at AU.

Experience

To join our community and thrive in this role, you will likely have the following skills and experience:

• Experience analysing complex workforce, payroll, financial or other large organisational datasets and translating findings into meaningful insights
• Experience using reporting and analytical tools to extract, validate, reconcile and present data for operational and strategic decision-making purposes
• Proven ability to apply advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including complex formulas, data manipulation, reconciliation and quality assurance techniques
• Experience documenting analytical methodologies, business rules, data definitions, assumptions and reporting processes to support transparency and auditability
• Proven ability to investigate data anomalies, interpret complex requirements and recommend improvements to systems, processes, reporting and controls
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities and communicate complex analytical findings to a variety of stakeholders

Our commitment to inclusion and diversity

We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion where diversity is celebrated and everyone feels respected and valued. Adelaide University is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and equitable workplace where everyone can thrive. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, and people of all ages, genders, cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities. We are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements and providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

Submit your application by 11:30pm Tuesday 13 October 2026

For further information about this opportunity, please contact (quoting reference number 493347): Jessica De Lorenzo – Team Lead, Talent Acquisition [phone] | [e-mail]

Applications welcomed from Australian or NZ citizens, Australian permanent residents and those who have the legal right to work in Australia for the term of appointment.