Program Manager Collective Excellence 2028

• Full time, fixed term until 31st December 2028

• Opportunity to lead integrated planning, governance, and delivery across the University’s Collective Excellence program of work, driving alignment and outcomes at scale

• Base Salary $162,528 + 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

Collective Excellence 2028 (CE28) is a strategic program that guides our academic ambitions as the University enters the second delivery phase of its strategy, Sydney in 2032. CE28 brings together initiatives across education and research to strengthen our academic performance over the next three years and advance our 2032 aspirations to be recognised globally for our outstanding education and high‑impact research.

As the Program Manager, Collective Excellence you will play a critical leadership role in supporting the delivery of the University’s Collective Excellence program of work by managing integrated program planning, reporting, communications, and stakeholder coordination across multiple initiatives.

You will work closely with Program Directors and initiative leads to establish a program-wide view of dependencies, risks, and delivery sequencing, ensuring alignment across workstreams and optimising outcomes. In this role, you will provide high-quality insight and governance support, enabling strong visibility of program performance, risks, and progress for senior stakeholders.

Your key responsibilities will be to:                                                           

• support delivery of program initiatives through proactive planning, review, and optimisation of delivery approaches

• assess program and project plans to ensure alignment with strategic objectives and sequencing logic

• identify cross-program dependencies, synergies, and risks, and optimise integration across workstreams

• support governance processes including preparation of reporting, dashboards, and executive updates

• manage and track interdependencies, risks, and critical path activities across the program

• facilitate discussions with initiative leads to resolve delivery conflicts and sequencing issues

• maintain visibility of milestones, dependencies, and risks, escalating issues as required

• develop and implement program communication plans to support engagement and change adoption

• align communications with delivery plans, dependencies, and key milestones

• drive continuous improvement in planning, reporting, and delivery practices.

About you

• tertiary qualifications and/or equivalent combination of training and experience

• demonstrated experience managing multiple or large, complex programs or projects

• experience developing and implementing integrated communication strategies and plans

• strong experience in stakeholder management across diverse internal and external groups

• experience in program or project portfolio environments (PMO) and governance frameworks

• experience developing and implementing reporting processes, systems, and frameworks

• knowledge of change management and program delivery, preferably within higher education

• strong analytical, planning, and problem-solving capability

• advanced communication, negotiation, and influencing skills

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. 

How to apply

Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page.  

For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard.  Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.

For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or any documents in alternate formats, please contact Kale Claffey Recruitment Operations by email to [email protected]

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The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.

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