Technician Commitment Program Lead

GDG on Campus | University of Sydney; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 108,000 - 128,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Sydney, in partnership with Microscopy Australia, seeks the Technician Commitment Program Lead to establish and grow a national initiative supporting technical professionals. This senior role directs strategic development, governance and stakeholder engagement at a national level across Australia.

You will build a national community of signatories, coordinate governance, and work with universities, government, funders and industry to deliver measurable change.

Qualifications

• Substantial leadership experience within higher education or research infrastructure.
• Significant knowledge of technical services and workforce development.
• Proven ability to lead complex programmes with governance and budgets.

Responsibilities

• provide strategic leadership for the establishment, implementation and growth of the Technician Commitment in Australia, ensuring alignment with the global framework and strategic priorities
• establish and support the Australian Technician Commitment Steering Board, providing governance support, strategic advice, reporting and stakeholder engagement
• lead, develop and coordinate the Australian Technician Commitment team, fostering a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing culture
• build and maintain influential relationships with senior leaders across universities, research organisations, government, industry, funders and professional bodies to grow national participation and impact
• oversee the delivery of key program activities, including the Self-Assessment process, Collaboration Fund, national events and stakeholder engagement initiatives
• represent the Technician Commitment nationally and internationally, using evidence, advocacy and partnerships to strengthen the visibility, recognition and sustainability of Australia’s technical workforce

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Policy & governance

Communication

Equity & inclusion

Job description

• Full time, fixed term for 2 years
• Unique opportunity to deliver the newly-established Technician Commitment in Australia
• HEO 10 Base Salary $162,528 + 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

Microscopy Australia is the national collaborative research infrastructure providing researchers with access to world class microscopy, imaging and characterisation capabilities. Through a network of leading facilities hosted by the University of Sydney and partner universities and research organisations across Australia, Microscopy Australia supports cutting edge research, innovation and industry engagement across fields ranging from health and medicine to materials science and environmental research.

The Technician Commitment is an internationally recognised initiative driving systemic and cultural change for technical professionals across higher education, research and innovation. Supported by a major Australian Government investment, this team will support the establishment and delivery of the Technician Commitment in Australia in partnership with Microscopy Australia, the Academy for Collaborative Research Infrastructure (ACRI), and the UK Technician Commitment team.

As Technician Commitment Program Lead , you will provide senior strategic and operational leadership for the establishment, development and growth of the Technician Commitment in Australia. Working under the strategic direction of the Technician Commitment’s founder and lead, you will translate an internationally recognised framework into an ambitious and impactful national programme that supports technical professionals and strengthens Australia’s research and innovation workforce.

A key aspect of this role will be establishing and supporting the Australian Technician Commitment Steering Board, building a thriving national community of signatories and supporters, and working closely with universities, research organisations, government, funders, industry and technical professionals to deliver meaningful and sustainable change.

This is a rare opportunity to shape a nationally significant initiative, influence sector-wide workforce development and become a leading advocate for technical professionals across Australia.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• provide strategic leadership for the establishment, implementation and growth of the Technician Commitment in Australia, ensuring alignment with the global framework and strategic priorities
• establish and support the Australian Technician Commitment Steering Board, providing governance support, strategic advice, reporting and stakeholder engagement
• lead, develop and coordinate the Australian Technician Commitment team, fostering a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing culture
• build and maintain influential relationships with senior leaders across universities, research organisations, government, industry, funders and professional bodies to grow national participation and impact
• oversee the delivery of key program activities, including the Self-Assessment process, Collaboration Fund, national events and stakeholder engagement initiatives
• represent the Technician Commitment nationally and internationally, using evidence, advocacy and partnerships to strengthen the visibility, recognition and sustainability of Australia’s technical workforce

About you

You will be an experienced and credible leader with a strong understanding of technical professionals and technical services within higher education, research or research infrastructure. You will be able to operate confidently at a national level, build productive relationships with senior stakeholders and translate strategic ambitions into effective programmes and measurable change.

• substantial leadership experience within higher education, research, research infrastructure or a related sector, including experience operating at a national or sector-wide level
• significant knowledge of technical services, technical professionals and workforce development within research, higher education or comparable environments
• demonstrated success leading complex programmes, with responsibility for strategy, governance, people, budgets, risk management and delivery of outcomes
• proven ability to build trusted relationships and influence senior stakeholders across universities, government, funders, industry, professional bodies and technical communities
• exceptional communication, engagement and advocacy skills, with the credibility to represent the programme at senior national and international forums
• strong strategic, analytical and organisational skills, together with a demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and improving outcomes for technical professionals

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

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 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 LGBTIQ+. 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 30 September 2026 11:59 PM