Program Director, Education

unimelb; Parkville; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

17% superannuation

Salary packaging

Health and wellbeing programmes

Discounted services

Professional development opportunities

Flexible work arrangements

LinkedIn Learning access

Parental leave and other leave options

Job summary

The University of Melbourne is seeking a Senior Manager to lead Asialink's flagship education portfolio, shaping strategy, partnerships and delivery for DFAT-funded programmes. You will oversee BRIDGE school partnership programmes and ensure measurable educational and intercultural outcomes.

You will build strategic relationships with DFAT and partners across Australia and Southeast Asia, manage budgets and staff, and strengthen monitoring and evaluation to demonstrate impact.

Qualifications

• Hold postgraduate qualifications in a relevant field, or equivalent experience in complex programme leadership roles.
• Demonstrate strategic programme leadership delivering complex education or capability programmes across multi-country environments.
• Manage funding agreements, budgets, governance obligations and relationships with government or major funding partners.
• Bring deep knowledge of Asia-Pacific education systems, international education and intercultural capability.
• Apply advanced monitoring, evaluation and analytical approaches using data and digital platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy, design and growth of Asialink's education portfolio, aligning with priorities and DFAT objectives.
• Oversee end-to-end delivery of BRIDGE school partnership programmes, ensuring quality outcomes and compliance.
• Cultivate strategic relationships with DFAT, governments and education partners across Australia and SE Asia.
• Manage human and financial resources, including budgeting, forecasting, risk, reporting and supervision of Indonesia staff.
• Lead monitoring, evaluation and learning frameworks to evidence impact and inform funding reports.

Skills

Strategic programme leadership

Stakeholder management

Budgeting / governance

Monitoring & evaluation

Communication with senior stakeholders

Education

Postgraduate qualifications

Job description

Role type: Full time, Fixed term for 3 yearsDepartment: Chancellery; Global Culture & Engagement

Salary: Senior Manager 1 salary package including up to 17% super

Shape flagship Australia-Asia BRIDGE school partnership programmes / lead DFAT-funded programmes / grow sustainable intercultural education impact

Step into a pivotal leadership role delivering high-impact Australia-Asia education programmes with lasting regional influence.

Investing in you - 17% superannuation, benefits package including salary packaging, health and wellbeing programmes, discounted services, and professional development opportunities.

The University of MelbourneWe take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website.

Your next career opportunityYou will lead Asialink's flagship school partnership programmes connecting Australian and Southeast Asian educators and students. You will shape strategy, partnerships and delivery to ensure these DFAT-funded programmes deliver measurable educational and intercultural impact.

What you will deliver:

• Lead strategy, design and growth of Asialink's education portfolio, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and DFAT objectives.
• Oversee end-to-end delivery of BRIDGE school partnership programmes, ensuring quality learning outcomes, compliance and effective cross-organisational collaboration.
• Cultivate strategic relationships with DFAT, governments and education partners across Australia and Southeast Asia to support programme success.
• Manage human and financial resources, including budgeting, forecasting, risk, reporting and supervision of Indonesia-based education staff.
• Lead monitoring, evaluation and learning frameworks to evidence impact, improve performance and meet funding partner reporting requirements.

You may be a great fit if you:

• Hold postgraduate qualifications in a relevant field, or equivalent experience in complex programme leadership roles.
• Demonstrate strategic programme leadership delivering complex education or capability programmes across dynamic, multi-country environments.
• Manage funding agreements, budgets, governance obligations and relationships with government or major funding partners.
• Bring deep knowledge of Asia-Pacific education systems, international education and intercultural capability, particularly Australia-Asia engagement.
• Apply advanced monitoring, evaluation and analytical approaches using data and digital platforms to drive continuous improvement.
• Communicate credibly with senior stakeholders, building trusted relationships across cultures and representing organisations at high levels.

For further information please refer to the attached PD.

What we offer you!

Investing in you - 17% superannuation, benefits package including salary packaging, health and wellbeing programmes, discounted services, and professional development opportunities.

• Build future financial security with 17% superannuation
• Supportive flexible work arrangements underpinned by our commitment to inclusion and well-being
• Career development opportunities, including access to a range of tailored programmes, such as Academic Women in Leadership, and learning platforms including LinkedIn Learning
• Progressive, considerate leave provisions to empower your work-life balance and well-being, including leading parental leave, gender affirmation leave and cultural leave
• Salary packaging and access to a range of discounted services including Bupa health insurance, and access to unique cultural and recreational benefits such as discounts for the Melbourne Theatre Company
• Health and well-being services including a leading Employee Assistance Programme

For more information check out our benefits page!

Your new team - "Global Culture and Engagement"

Working within Asialink, you will join a purpose-driven team advancing Australia's engagement with Asia through education and partnerships. You will collaborate with the CEO, Executive Leadership Team, delivery teams, and colleagues across Australia and Indonesia and broader Asia locations. Together you will deliver high-profile, DFAT-funded programmes. The team values intercultural capability, evidence-based practice and impact, strong collaborative instincts, and offers opportunities to lead region-wide initiatives connecting schools.

Be Yourself

The University of Melbourne is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a child-safe organisation. The diversity of our community enriches us all, and we are committed to creating an inclusive and fair workplace where everyone is valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Discover more about Diversity and Inclusion at UniMelb.

We're committed to a barrier-free recruitment process and ongoing workplace support, providing adjustments throughout. We warmly encourage applications from people with disabilities. Learn more about how we support an accessible recruitm