3-year full time, fixed term opportunity An exciting opportunity to shape leadership practice and drive University ‑ wide transformation Offering a competitive remuneration package including 17% superannuation About the team The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Community and Leadership) Portfolio leads the University’s strategic direction across culture, leadership, and our diversity, equity and inclusion aspirations. As a newly formed portfolio, it plays a pivotal role in shaping a thriving University culture and driving transformational change so every member of our community feels a sense of belonging, can thrive, and can meaningfully contribute to the ambitions of the University’s 2032 Strategy. Following the completion of the Roadmap that set a clear direction for culture, inclusion and leadership, the team is now focused on implementation and embedding. Guided by the Roadmap’s principles and intended impacts, the work ahead centres on translating strategy into action, supporting leaders to work differently, strengthening alignment across the institution, and ensuring change is sustained through systems, practices and shared ownership. This phase marks a shift from Roadmap design to delivery, with a strong emphasis on practical impact and institutional transformation About the opportunity As the Senior Manager, Design and Enablement , you will help reshape how leaders engage with complexity across the University. You will design and deliver participatory processes that enable leaders to collectively identify challenges, explore system dynamics and work together to inform direction and action. Working closely with senior leaders and executive sponsors, you will ensure leadership engagement is intentional, aligned and focused on real transformation outcomes. Operating with significant autonomy, you will convert insights from leadership engagement into clear strategic value, supporting stronger decisions, deeper alignment and more effective collaboration across the institution. Your key responsibilities will be to: lead structured co‑design and participatory processes that help leadership groups frame complex system‑level challenges and inform strategic direction design leadership engagement that supports shared ownership, alignment and effective decision‑making partner with senior leaders to deliver co‑design aligned to major transformation initiatives oversee end‑to‑end project design and delivery, including methodology, facilitation and synthesis co‑create targeted engagement approaches with faculties, portfolios and specialist teams produce high‑quality artefacts such as system maps, journey maps, prototypes and concept papers prepare reports and synthesis materials that inform governance, planning and strategic decision‑making About you academic qualifications in a relevant field, or equivalent training and experience experience in strategic planning and/or strategy design demonstrated ability to manage diverse internal and external stakeholders experience managing multiple or large‑scale complex projects strong analytical and problem‑solving capability advanced communication, negotiation and influencing skills proven ability to synthesise complex information and generate strategic insight strong collaboration skills and the ability to foster inclusive, system‑aware leadership practice. Sponsorship / work rights for Australia You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to be eligible to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment. 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 Kale Claffey Recruitment Operations by email to kale.claffey@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 Sunday 26 April 2026 11:59 PM
