Program Manager, Leap

University of New South Wales; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Working Options

Career development opportunities

Additional 3 days of leave over Xmas

Discounts and entitlements

Job summary

University of New South Wales – Kensington NSW is seeking a Program Manager to lead the planning and execution of the UNSW Technology Strategy Leap. You will drive the Leap program within a small delivery team, applying program management discipline, coordinating across IT, technology owners and stakeholders, and ensuring ongoing leadership support.

The role requires strong governance, reporting, and stakeholders engagement skills, with experience in digital delivery, AI, and complex

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience leading and implementing large scale change initiatives in complex environments
• Human-centred change principles to drive engagement, adoption and sustainable change
• Advanced program management with lifecycle and governance experience
• Strong consultation, influencing and negotiation with senior stakeholders
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams and delivery partners (architecture, data, engineering, cyber)
• Experience establishing program governance, reporting, risk management, QA processes
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with proactive solution development
• Excellent written and verbal communication with attention to detail
• Comfort with using AI / large language models
• Ability to manage changing priorities and meet deadlines with judgement and initiative
• Understanding of UNSW aims, policies and safety commitments

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver the UNSW Technology Strategy Leap transformation program
• Ensure momentum and progress of priorities with IT, technology owners and the university
• Influence stakeholders and align work with strategic priorities
• Establish governance, reporting structures, risk management and QA processes
• Direct reports and accountability to the Head of Technology Transformation
• Deliver strategy across a complex organisation with operational and governance considerations

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder mgmt

Program management

AI awareness

Change management

Communication

Time management

Strategic planning

Education

Relevant tertiary qualifications

Job description

University of New South Wales – Kensington NSW

• Employment Type: 14 months fixed term role as a Program Manager, UNSW IT.
• Key leadership role within transformation of our technology strategy
• Attractive salary package available
• Location: Kensington campus in NSW (Hybrid Flexible Working) 2-3 days in the office

UNSW isn’t like other places you’ve worked. Yes, we’re a large organisation with a diverse and talented community—but more importantly, it’s a community doing extraordinary things. Together, we are driven to be thoughtful, practical, and purposeful in all we do. It’s this approach that makes our work matter—and why we’re recognised as one of the world’s top 20 universities and ranked Australia’s #1 university, as well as a proud member of the prestigious Group of Eight. If you’re looking for a role where you can shape change, thrive in complexity, and see the real impact of your work every day, you’re in the right place.

The Program Manager will play a key leadership role in the planning and execution of the UNSW Technology Strategy, Leap As part of a small Leap delivery team, the role will apply strong program management discipline to maintain momentum and progress agreed priorities with stakeholders, across IT, distributed technology owners and the wider University. This requires broad knowledge of technology, including digital delivery, AI and emerging technologies, and a strong customer focus, with an understanding of how business needs and technology delivery connect. The Program Manager will ensure University stakeholders responsible for progressing the strategy have the structures, reporting, tools and ongoing support and leadership to progress the strategy on a day-to-day basis. The Program Manager will have direct reports, and reports to the Head of Technology Transformation who has responsibility for the delivery of Leap.

They will bring experience delivering strategy across a complex organisation, including understanding its operational, cultural and governance impacts. You will be able to influence stakeholders, bring different perspectives together and align existing work with strategic priorities. You will have strong program management and reporting skills, and experience delivering a similar strategy or transformation program. Experience in higher education or a similarly complex industry is desirable.

Who you are:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications with at least 10+ years’ experience leading and implementing large scale change initiatives in complex environments and/or extensive relevant experience gained through any other combination of education, training and/or experience.
• Demonstrated experience using human-centred change principles in driving engagement, adoption and sustainable change in complex environments.
• Proven advanced program management experience, with an in-depth understanding of the project life cycle and strategic development of project plans, objectives, documentation and measurable outcomes
• Excellent consultation, influencing and negotiation skills and proven ability to engage effectively with diverse and senior stakeholders to build alignment, influence decision making and achieve successful outcomes.
• Extensive experience leading and influencing multi-disciplinary teams and delivery partners (architecture, data, engineering, cyber, business).
• Extensive experience establishing and managing program governance, reporting frameworks, risk management practices and quality assurance processes.
• Demonstrated strong analytical and problem-solving skills and proven capacity to exercise initiative, flexibility and to be proactive in development of robust solutions to problems.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills, with a high level of attention to detail for deliverables produced.
• Confidence using AI/Large language models.
• Excellent time management skills, with a demonstrated ability to respond to changing priorities, manage multiple tasks and meet competing deadlines by using judgement and initiative.
• An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
• Knowledge of health & safety (psychosocial and physical) responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.

Benefits and Culture

• Flexible Working Options (work from home, flexible hours etc)
• Career development opportunities
• Additional 3 days of leave over Christmas period
• Discounts and entitlements (retail, education, fitness)

For further details on the benefits, please visit https://www.jobs.unsw.edu.au/lifestyle-benefits

Sponsorship is not available for this role; valid Australian working rights are required on application.

Pre-Employment Checks

As part of our recruitment process candidates may be required to undergo pre-employment screening, which may include reference checks, qualification verification, right-to-work verification, and criminal history screening where relevant to the role.

Applications close:Sunday November 1st at 11.30pm

UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff.The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.