Procurement Assurance Leader — Governance & Risk

University of Sydney; Australia; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Sydney is seeking a Senior Manager – Procurement Assurance to set direction for assurance, governance and continuous improvement across the university. You will use data and insight to identify risks, strengthen controls and improve procurement outcomes, working with senior leaders to guide risk-based decision-making and lead audits and reporting.

The role focuses on removing complexity, improving systems and processes, and building capability so that buying is easier for the

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant discipline or an equivalent combination of training and professional experience.
• Significant experience leading procurement compliance, assurance, audit or risk management activities in a large and complex organisation.
• Strong expertise in governance, compliance frameworks, policy and legislative interpretation, risk management, audit and internal controls.
• Track record of building trusted partnerships, presenting with credibility and providing authoritative advice that influences senior stakeholders.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use data to identify emerging risks, assess control effectiveness and guide informed decisions.
• Strong leadership, communication and organisational skills, with the energy and initiative to lead change, develop people and embed a culture of service excellence and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead the University’s procurement assurance framework, applying risk-based and data-driven approaches to identify emerging risks, strengthen controls and focus assurance where it adds the greatest value.
• Provide authoritative advice on procurement governance, policy, controls and assurance, influencing senior stakeholders and enabling informed, risk-commensurate decision-making.
• Lead the University’s response to procurement audits, reviews, investigations and assurance activities, and oversee remediation to achieve sustainable compliance outcomes.
• Lead governance reporting and secretariat services for key procurement bodies, providing high-quality analysis, papers and recommendations that support transparent and effective decision-making.
• Build procurement capability through targeted training, guidance and awareness initiatives that improve understanding and support consistent practice across the University.
• Turn insight into action by leading improvement and change initiatives that simplify procurement, enhance systems and reporting, strengthen controls and make the stakeholder experience easier and more effective.

Skills

Procurement governance

Risk management

Auditing

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Job description

University of Sydney is seeking a Senior Manager – Procurement Assurance to set direction for assurance, governance and continuous improvement across the university. You will use data and insight to identify risks, strengthen controls and improve procurement outcomes, working with senior leaders to guide risk-based decision-making and lead audits and reporting.

The role focuses on removing complexity, improving systems and processes, and building capability so that buying is easier for the