Senior Manager, Strategic Projects

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

Benefits offered by this job

Superannuation 17%

Job summary

University of Sydney is seeking a Senior Manager, Strategic Projects to lead a portfolio of domestic recruitment initiatives and strategic programs. You will oversee multiple projects, coach professional staff, and build strong relationships with senior stakeholders to align with the University’s enrolment and diversity objectives.

The role requires experience leading complex programs in a large environment, outstanding communication, and the ability to manage competing priorities with

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading complex programs and portfolios
• Strong stakeholder management across levels of organisation
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to prioritise, navigate ambiguity and deliver results in a large environment
• Analytical and data-driven decision making

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, delivery and evaluation of strategic recruitment initiatives
• Manage a portfolio of complex projects and events, on time and within scope
• Provide leadership and coaching to a team of staff
• Build relationships with senior stakeholders to drive engagement
• Oversee governance, reporting, risk management and resource planning
• Identify opportunities to enhance recruitment through innovation and evidence-based practice

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Education

Bachelor's in Business/Communications/Marketing/PM

Job description

Full time, fixed term until 08/12/2027. Lead strategic domestic recruitment projects that support future student growth and participation. Offering a competitive remuneration package including 17% superannuation.

About the opportunity

The Senior Manager, Strategic Projects is responsible for leading a portfolio of strategic projects, events and programs that support the University's domestic enrolment and diversity objectives. Working within a dynamic and high-performing team, you will oversee the delivery of multiple concurrent projects, provide leadership to professional staff, and build strong relationships with stakeholders across the University. This fixed-term opportunity has been created to provide leadership and continuity across a range of key initiatives and special projects. The role is suited to an experienced people leader who can navigate complexity, manage competing priorities and deliver outcomes in a large and multifaceted environment.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• lead the planning, delivery and evaluation of strategic domestic recruitment, access and outreach initiatives that support the University's student recruitment objectives
• manage a portfolio of complex projects and events, ensuring outcomes are delivered on time, within scope and aligned to organisational priorities
• provide leadership, coaching and direction to a team of professional staff, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement
• build and maintain effective relationships with senior stakeholders to drive engagement and achieve shared objectives
• oversee project governance, reporting, risk management and resource planning to support informed decision-making and successful delivery outcomes
• identify opportunities to enhance recruitment, engagement and access activities through innovation, process improvement and evidence-based practice
• contribute to strategic planning and operational decision-making within the Domestic Recruitment and Access portfolio
• monitor performance, analyse data and provide insights and recommendations to support continuous improvement and future growth

About you

• substantial experience leading complex programs, projects and/or operational portfolios within a large and complex environment
• proven success leading, coaching and developing high-performing teams and fostering a positive, inclusive and accountable culture
• highly developed stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across all levels of an organisation
• demonstrated ability to manage multiple competing priorities, navigate ambiguity and deliver results in a fast-paced environment
• exceptional project management, planning and organisational skills, with experience overseeing governance, reporting and risk management activities
• strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to use data and insights to inform decision-making and drive continuous improvement
• excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports, briefings and presentations for a range of audiences
• tertiary qualifications in Business, Communications, Marketing, Project Management or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience

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 terms 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.

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 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.

Applications Close

Wednesday 11 November 2026 11:59 PM

Contact: Broni Crear, Recruitment Operations by email to [e-mail].

Click to view the Position Description for this role.