Full time, continuing position with the University of Sydney as the Director, Strategic Program Office An exciting opportunity to provide key leadership within a portfolio and support the delivery of strategic and transformational projects Offering a competitive remuneration package including 17% superannuation About the opportunity The Strategic Program Office is pivotal in executing the Sydney in 2032 strategy, contributing to our vision of becoming "a better place to work, and a place that works better." Significant strategic initiatives are already in progress and as we enter the next phase of strategy implementation, the University must continue to successfully deliver numerous initiatives, programs, and projects to achieve our 2032 goals. The Director, Strategic Program Office position is a key leadership role within the Strategy Portfolio that will lead the University’s ability to deliver strategic initiatives and is pivotal to the success of the University’s objectives. With significant financial responsibility, the incumbent will lead a best practice Strategic Program Office of approximately 20 staff to support delivery of strategic and transformational University projects and provide strong project governance. The Director will lead their four direct reports ensuring a focus on delivery, governance, project insights and institutional change, all underpinned by strong sectoral knowledge, and ensure the University learns and adjusts from project to project. They must be able to secure the trust of senior stakeholders and possess expertise in relation to program management and governance, transformational change and strategic portfolio management. The Director, Strategic Program Office is responsible for the development and implementation of an overarching program management governance and quality assurance framework; and the provision of program management, change management and continuous improvement capability and expertise to support the high-quality delivery of its schedule of strategic projects. The core purpose of the role is to ensure strategic projects are delivering outcomes in line with the University’s strategy. As such, this role will oversee comprehensive project health checks of projects underway and enterprise portfolio reporting to the University Executive on project performance, planning/delivery, costs, risks, and benefit realisation. The Director will engage with and influence senior stakeholders on all aspects of programmatic risk, organisational capacity, prioritisation and value, and investment decisions. The Director, Strategic Program Office will partner with senior leaders across client portfolios to develop a deep understanding of their needs. Your key responsibilities will be to: lead the University’s Strategic Program Office to lead governance to ensure the successful implementation and outcomes of a portfolio of the University’s strategic projects lead the design and oversight of University-wide program delivery and program governance portfolio monitoring, reporting and insights provide program, change and resource management leadership, expertise, and direction for University projects ensure quality and consistency of approaches and disciplines for effective project management lead a high-performing Strategic Program Office and provides effective guidance, development and feedback to the team work closely with Strategy portfolio colleagues and senior stakeholders across the University to ensure projects are prioritised, planned and executed to meet our strategic objectives actively engage with and maintain good relationships with key stakeholders in order to understand their needs and their experience of the Strategic Program services provide effective financial and operational management for the Strategic Program Office and strategic projects. About you postgraduate qualifications in a relevant field together with extensive management experience or an equivalent combination of training and experience a minimum of 20 years work experience, preferably in the field of enterprise program/projects, transformation and/or investment management extensive experience leading Enterprise Program/Project offices, Transformation offices and/or investment portfolio management. extensive experience in developing and maintaining senior stakeholder relationships in delivery of a portfolio of projects, including partnering and consultancy experience gained in the higher education sector, or large, complex, matrix organisations certification from a recognised Project Management Authority such as Prince 2, PmBok or similar demonstrated experience in the leadership, supervision, training, mentoring and performance management of staff. Key benefits a University contribution of 17% of your base salary to your superannuation fund tax-efficient salary packaging options for cars, laptops, and additional contributions to your superannuation fund generous relocation allowance if moving from interstate or overseas access to fitness passport, as well as discounted rates on university sports and fitness centers gain the recognition of working in a leading University. Sponsorship / work rights for Australia Please note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. This role requires valid work rights for Australia. Pre-employment checks Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment. EEO statement At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion , evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People , women , people living with a disability , people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds , and those who identify as LGBTIQ . We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion . How to apply Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page. For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard. Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply. For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or any documents in alternate formats, please contact Senior Talent Partner, Senior Talent Acquisition, John Flynn on 0481 564 562 or by email to john.flynn2@sydney.edu.au . © The University of Sydney The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment. Click to view the Position Description for this role. Applications Close Thursday 29 May 2025 11:59 PM
