Experienced education HR specialist to join UQ

The University of Queensland has appointed a new Director of Human Resources.

Ms Shard Lorenzo, who has been Director, Human Resources at the University of South Australia (UniSA) since 2002, will take up her new role on March 27.

Her leadership role in human resources management at UniSA has included workplace relations, including the negotiation and implementation of collective agreements and AWAs, OHS&W, organisational learning and development, remuneration and workforce strategy, performance appraisal frameworks, policy and procedure development and review, and staff equity, including Indigenous employment.

Ms Lorenzo has extensive leadership experience across a range of diverse portfolios including school teacher, principal, and Superintendent of Schools, South Australian State Manager of the Disadvantaged Schools Program, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Equal Opportunity in South Australia, and Manager: Equity and Diversity at UniSA.

University of Queensland Secretary and Registrar Douglas Porter said UQ was delighted to appoint someone of Ms Lorenzo’s experience, expertise, and extensive record of achievement.

Ms Lorenzo was educated at Flinders University, South Australia, where she completed a Bachelor of Education degree. She subsequently completed a Graduate Diploma in Women’s Studies at Salisbury College of Advanced Education and a Graduate Certificate in Management at the University of Adelaide in 2001.

As Manager of Priority Education in the South Australian Education Department, she had responsibility for more than 270 schools and a budget of $8 million, and management of the Disadvantaged Schools and Countries Areas Programs.

She has also worked as a tutor and lecturer in the School of Education at UniSA and a trainer and presenter for the Equal Opportunity Commission for South Australia.

Ms Lorenzo joined UniSA in 2000 as Manager of Equity and Diversity, and was promoted the following year as Deputy Director, then in 2002, as Director, Human Resources. UniSA has 33,000 students, and approximately 3000 employees in any given week, out of an annual pool of 6000 employees.

“My partner and I are both looking forward to moving to Queensland and I am excited to take on the challenges identified for the future,” Ms Lorenzo said.

Ms Lorenzo will succeed Denis Feeney, who retired as UQ’s Director, Human Resources in December after 14 years at the helm. During his tenure at UQ, the University’s permanent staff force has grown 27 percent to current staffing levels of almost 5700 people.

Media: Jan King 0413 601 248.