School General Manager

usyd; Sydney; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

17% superannuation

Job summary

Sydney Conservatorium of Music, a leading Australian music institution within the University of Sydney, seeks a School General Manager to steer academic and operational direction. You will partner with senior leaders to deliver on strategic vision and optimize resources for teaching, performance, and research.

The role requires senior leadership in operations, strong financial acumen, and the ability to foster collaboration across this renowned arts and education environment.

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualifications or equivalent experience.
• Senior leadership experience in operations or professional services in higher education or the arts.
• Experience in administration and operational management of music/performing arts within higher education or arts institutions would be highly regarded.
• Proven experience leading diverse teams and fostering an inclusive, high-performing culture.
• Strong financial planning, budgeting and resource allocation capability.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation and stakeholder engagement abilities.

Responsibilities

• Drive operational excellence and strategic initiatives as part of the leadership team.
• Translate the School’s strategic vision into operational priorities and cross-University collaboration.
• Oversee budgeting and financial management to align with strategic objectives.
• Lead professional services functions, staff development and workforce planning.
• Ensure delivery of academic, artistic, and engagement outcomes.

Skills

Leadership experience

Strategic planning

Financial management

Stakeholder engagement

Communication & negotiation

Analytical problem-solving

Education

Relevant tertiary qualifications

Job description

Full-time continuing leadership opportunity as School General Manager

Play a key leadership role in shaping the future of one of Australia's leading music institutions through collaboration and partnership

Senior Professional Staff position offering a competitive remuneration package, including 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

One of Australia's oldest and most prestigious music institutions, the Sydney Conservatorium of Music has been part of the University of Sydney since 1990, providing world class music education, performance opportunities, and research. For more than a century, it has been at the heart of Australia's musical and cultural life, playing a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s musical landscape.

This is an exciting time to join the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, which continues to gain national and international recognition for excellence in music education, performance, and research. Adding to this momentum, the Conservatorium has announced the first expansion in its 110 year history, extending its world class programs and industry partnerships to Western Sydney through a new Parramatta campus.

The Sydney Conservatorium of Music is seeking an exceptional School General Manager to join its leadership team. This influential role offers the opportunity to help shape the Conservatorium’s academic and operational direction, partnering with senior leaders to deliver on its strategic vision and goals.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• As a key member of the leadership team and a vital link between the Conservatorium and the University’s central services, this role is instrumental in driving operational excellence, leading strategic initiatives, and ensuring the infrastructure, resources, and processes are in place to support exceptional teaching, learning, research, music and performing arts programs and performances , and external engagement outcomes.
• Strategic leadership and planning: Partner with the Head of School and Dean to translate the School’s strategic vision into operational priorities, driving planning, decision-making, and cross-University collaboration to achieve key objectives
• Operational leadership and management: Lead the implementation of University-wide operational initiatives and service improvements within the School , ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and successful adoption across all areas. Oversee the operational planning and delivery of music and performing arts programs, performances, events, and related activities to support the School’s academic and artistic objectives .
• People leadership and management: Provide strategic leadership of the School’s professional services function, driving workforce planning, recruitment, talent development, succession planning and the implementation of University people policies to foster a high-performing and future-focused team
• Financial management and oversight: Partner with the Head of School and Dean and the Finance team to develop, manage, and monitor the School’s budget, ensuring alignment with financial strategy and performance objectives .

About you

You are a collaborative and influential operational leader with the ability to partner effectively with academic leadership, navigate complex environments, and deliver organisational priorities through collaboration, innovation, and sound decision-making.

• relevant tertiary qualifications, or an equivalent combination of experience and training
• significant senior leadership experience in operations, business management, or professional services leadership, ideally gained within higher education, the creative arts, research-intensive institutions, or similarly complex environments
• experience in the administration and operational management of music and/or performing arts programs, productions, performances, and related activities within a higher education, arts, or cultural institution would be highly regarded
• proven experience leading and developing diverse teams, fostering an inclusive, high-performing, and service-oriented culture
• strong financial management , planning, budgeting, and resource allocation capability
• demonstrated success in delivering strategic initiatives, operational improvement programs, and organisational change
• exceptional communication, negotiation, stakeholder engagement, and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across a broad range of stakeholders
• strong analytical and problem-solving capability, using data and insights to inform decision-making and drive organisational outcomes.

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.

Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satis