Program Manager

Centre for Continuing Education; Sydney; On-site; AUD 131,000 - 148,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Sydney’s Sydney Knowledge Hub invites applications for a full-time role leading flagship researcher entrepreneurship and commercialisation programs. You will drive hands-on program delivery, strengthen industry linkages and shape the university’s innovation ecosystem in NSW.

Your responsibilities include overseeing program governance, budgets and performance, and developing resources to maximise participant outcomes and demonstrate impact.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification or equivalent mix of education and experience.
• Experience designing and delivering startup, innovation or research commercialisation programs.
• Significant program and project management experience with budgets and multiple workstreams.
• Proven ability to engage and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience leading staff development and performance management.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery and enhancement of researcher entrepreneurship and commercialisation programs (PERIscope and SPARK Sydney).
• Build and maintain relationships with researchers, faculties, industry partners, mentors, investors and stakeholders.
• Develop program resources, learning materials, reporting frameworks and evaluation processes.
• Identify gaps in entrepreneurship support and develop new initiatives; contribute to funding and philanthropic submissions.
• Oversee program governance, budgets, reporting and operational delivery to meet objectives and timelines.
• Raise the profile of research entrepreneurship across the University via events and communications.

Skills

Program management

Stakeholder engagement

Staff development

Entrepreneurship programs

Research commercialization

Education

Postgraduate qualification or equivalent

Job description

• Full-time continuing position
• Lead flagship researcher entrepreneurship and commercialisation programs at the Sydney Knowledge Hub
• Base Salary $131,108 - $147,858 + 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

The Sydney Knowledge Hub is the University of Sydney's venture incubator, supporting researchers to translate groundbreaking ideas into real-world impact through new venture creation, industry engagement and commercialisation. This is an exciting opportunity to shape and deliver impactful and hands-on entrepreneurship programs that accelerate research outcomes and strengthen the University's innovation ecosystem.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• lead the delivery and enhancement of researcher entrepreneurship and commercialisation programs, including PERIscope and SPARK Sydney
• build and maintain strong relationships with researchers, faculties, industry partners, mentors, investors and other key stakeholders
• develop program resources, learning materials, reporting frameworks and evaluation processes to maximise participant outcomes and demonstrate impact
• identify gaps in entrepreneurship support, develop new initiatives and contribute to funding, grant and philanthropic submissions
• oversee program governance, budgets, reporting and operational delivery to ensure objectives, timelines and quality standards are achieved
• raise the profile of research entrepreneurship across the University through engagement activities, workshops, events and strategic communications

About you

• postgraduate qualifications in a relevant discipline, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience
• demonstrated experience designing and delivering startup, innovation, entrepreneurship or research commercialisation programs
• substantial program and project management experience, including managing complex initiatives, budgets and multiple concurrent workstreams
• proven ability to engage, influence and collaborate with diverse internal and external stakeholders at all levels
• experience leading, developing and supporting staff performance and professional growth
• an understanding of new venture creation, ideally through lived experience, and networks into the innovation ecosystem in NSW is seen favorably

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 and declarations

Your employment is conditional upon the successful completion of all pre-employment or background checks required for the role in a manner 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.

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 LGBTQIA+. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Platinum Employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion.

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

Wednesday 11 November 2026 11:59 PM