About ADAPT

Working with over 3,000 C-level executives from Australia and New Zealand annually, ADAPT is a market-leading research, advisory and multi-channel events company in the region.

Our vision is to make Australia & New Zealand more commercially competitive, differentiated and productive on the global stage. We do this by working closely with business and technology leaders across enterprise and government organisations – equipping them with the knowledge, relationships, inspiration and tools they need to gain an advantage.

 

The Opportunity

ADAPT is looking for a People & Operations Lead to play a key role in building the people, systems and operating foundations that will support our next phase of growth.

You will work directly with the Head of Strategy, CEO and Finance Director, helping to strengthen ADAPT’s people operations and internal execution capability across the business.

This is a standalone role, suited to someone who is both strategic and hands-on. You will help build and improve ADAPT’s people function as the business grows, while also owning the day-to-day people, HR and operational work required to support the business.

You will own and improve the systems, processes and frameworks that underpin how the business hires, operates and performs – ensuring teams have the clarity, structure and support required to deliver.

This role combines day-to-day ownership with the opportunity to contribute to broader operational and organisational improvements as the business grows.

 

Core Responsibilities

A.  People Operations & Workforce Management

Build and lead people operations and workforce management at ADAPT.

  • Provide strategic advice to leadership on workforce planning, structure and people-related decisions
  • Build and improve core HR policies, people processes and employee infrastructure
  • Lead the implementation and ongoing ownership of a new workforce management system
  • Ensure compliance with Australian employment and payroll legislation, translating this into clear and practical guidance
  • Own social, engagement and culture initiatives that support a high-performing and connected workplace

 

B. Recruitment & Talent Management

Own ADAPT’s recruitment outcomes, ensuring consistent, high-quality hiring across the business.

  • Build and run a structured end-to-end recruitment process from role definition through to onboarding and retention
  • Partner with leadership to define hiring plans, role requirements and assessment approaches aligned to business priorities
  • Lead recruitment execution, coordination and process management, ensuring a consistent and high-quality hiring experience
  • Own hiring documentation and related process support, including employment contracts, onboarding, inductions and visa support where required
  • Track and improve hiring performance, including time-to-hire, candidate quality, process consistency and candidate experience

 

C. Operational & Strategic Execution

Support leadership to improve execution, structure and performance across the business.

  • Support department leads to improve ways of working, decision-making and operational discipline
  • Support the design and implementation of ADAPT’s operating model, organisational structure and internal ways of working
  • Identify and implement process improvements that reduce friction and improve team performance
  • Establish clarity across roles, responsibilities and performance expectations, including JDs, KPIs and accountability
  • Support commercial and cost optimisation initiatives, including workforce planning, remuneration structures and incentive frameworks

 

What Good Looks Like:

Experience: Experience across HR/People, People Operations, HRBP or operational roles within a high-growth or performance-driven business

Hands-on capability: Comfortable operating as a standalone lead who can balance strategic input with day-to-day delivery across people, HR and operational work

Best Practice & Compliance: Strong understanding of Australian employment and payroll legislation, with experience applying it in a practical, commercial environment

Recruitment & Talent: Proven experience managing end-to-end recruitment and improving hiring quality, consistency and time-to-hire

Systems & Process Improvement: Experience implementing or improving HR systems / HRIS platforms and building scalable people processes

People Operations: Experience across core people processes such as contracts, onboarding, inductions, training, performance reviews and remuneration reviews

Commercial & Analytical Thinking: Uses data and sound judgement to inform workforce and business decisions, including headcount, performance and cost

Working Style: Hands-on, structured and self-directed, with the ability to operate autonomously and partner effectively with leadership