Executive Director, Digital Sydney

University of Sydney; Sydney; On-site; AUD 260,000 - 340,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

17% Superannuation

Job summary

The University of Sydney seeks an Executive Director, Digital Sydney to lead the institution‑wide transformation program, shaping digital strategy and directing a large portfolio of initiatives. This role sits within the ICT Leadership Team and partners with senior leaders to deliver enterprise‑level outcomes.

With a minimum of 10 years in digital transformation and substantial executive leadership experience, you will drive strategic priorities, manage budgets and inspire cross‑functional

Qualifications

• 10+ years leading large scale digital change initiatives.
• 5+ years in executive leadership overseeing enterprise transformation portfolios.
• Experience in ICT/Digital Transformation within education or similar complex environments.
• Ability to prioritise and manage multiple priorities under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, maintenance and implementation of the University’s digital strategy across ICT and the University.
• Direct the digital transformation portfolio, prioritising work, sequencing programs and managing interdependencies.
• Oversee budgets, financial reporting and progress reporting for Digital Sydney.
• Mentor Digital Sydney Core team and foster collaboration across senior leadership.
• Communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and drive informed decisions.

Skills

Digital transformation

Strategic planning

Technology roadmap

Executive leadership

Stakeholder management

Job description

Full-time, Fixed term opportunity for 5 years Lead a major transformation portfolio delivering institution‑wide digital change and innovation Join the ICT Leadership Team and influence strategic priorities across the University Offering a competitive remuneration package including 17% super

About the opportunity

This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future of one of Australia's leading universities. Digital Sydney is the University of Sydney’s ambitious institution‑wide transformation program, delivering the foundations required to realise the Sydney 2032 Strategy and create a future‑ready, AI‑enabled university. Digital Sydney is transforming how the University learns, teaches, researches and operates. Through the modernisation of core systems, data, processes and experiences, Digital Sydney aims to create a seamlessly connected, intelligent campus that empowers people, unlocks innovation and enables better decision‑making across the university.

About the role

The Executive Director, Digital Sydney is a key member of both the ICT Leadership Team and the broader Vice‑President Operations Leadership Team. The role is accountable for shaping and delivering the University’s digital strategy, providing strategic leadership across the Digital Sydney transformation portfolio, and driving outcomes that support the University’s long‑term objectives. The Executive Director Digital Sydney provides strategic leadership, direction, and oversight of a large portfolio of digital initiatives and collaborates closely with senior leaders across ICT and the broader University to drive enterprise‑wide transformation outcomes. This role will apply extensive executive leadership, management expertise, professional judgement, and strategic insight to shape and deliver the University’s digital strategy in alignment with its objectives and priorities. The role exercises significant authority in making high‑impact strategic, operational, financial, and portfolio decisions, balancing risks, opportunities, dependencies, and competing priorities across a complex transformation environment. The successful candidate will be highly effective at addressing and engaging large stakeholder groups, confidently facilitating discussions, building alignment, and fostering collaboration to drive informed decision‑making and successful outcomes.

Your key responsibilities

• Lead the development, maintenance and implementation of the University’s digital strategy (Digital Sydney), ensuring alignment and effectiveness through collaboration with teams within ICT and across the University
• Formulate and maintain a comprehensive digital strategy that aligns with the University’s mission and supports its academic, research, and administrative objectives, focusing on the integration of contemporary technologies
• Direct the University’s digital transformation initiatives, ensuring technology adoption aligns with strategic objectives and enhances operational efficiency
• Lead and oversee a complex portfolio of digital transformation programs and projects, ensuring effective prioritisation, sequencing, resource allocation, and management of interdependencies
• Lead and mentor Digital Sydney Core team, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.
• Encourage teams to explore and adopt new technologies to drive competitive advantage and operational excellence
• Serve as the primary point of contact for Digital Sydney and digital transformation matters, effectively communicating complex technical concepts to non‑technical stakeholders
• Develop, submit, and implement annual operational and program budgets, manage expenditure effectively within budget and overseeing the development and delivery of reports on progress and any challenges encountered
• Present complex information and strategic recommendations to large and diverse stakeholder groups, influencing decision‑making across varying levels of authority and seniority.

About you (skills, capabilities and experience)

Minimum of 10 years of experience leading large‑scale digital transformation initiatives, including at least 5 years in executive leadership roles overseeing complex, enterprise‑wide transformation portfolios across technology, people, process and data. Experience leading the implementation of complex digital transformation programs that bring stakeholders together to deliver a unified vision, while championing research, innovation and the practical application of emerging technologies. Extensive management experience in an ICT/Digital Transformation function within the University or Education sector, or a complex ICT environment Extensive experience leading strategic planning and technology roadmap development in alignment with broader organisational strategy Ability to effectively prioritise and execute tasks in high‑pressure situations.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

Work Rights: you must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Term and remuneration

This is a full‑time, fixed term opportunity for 5 years.

The successful candidate will be offered a competitive remuneration package commensurate with the responsibilities of the position and the candidate’s relevant experience and qualifications.

Pre‑employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the successful completion of all pre‑employment or background checks required for the role in satisfactory to the University. Also, to meet the University’s obligations under the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Eliminate Gender‑Based Violence you will be asked to declare if you have been investigated for, or found to engaged in, sexual harm or gender‑based violence in the course of previous employment or in a legal process. 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.

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.

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.

Applications Close

Thursday 01 October 2026 11:59 PM