Program Director, Digital Sydney

GDG on Campus | University of Sydney•Takoma Park, MD

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future of one of Australia's leading universities. Digital Sydney is the University of Sydney’s ambitious institution-wide transformation program, delivering the foundations required to realise the Sydney 2032 Strategy and create a future-ready, AI-enabled university. Guided by our vision, “Designed for people, powered by digital”, Digital Sydney is transforming how the University learns, teaches, researches and operates. Through the modernisation of core systems, data, processes and experiences, Digital Sydney aims to create a seamlessly connected, intelligent campus that empowers people, unlocks innovation and enables better decision-making across the university. We are seeking an accomplished Program Director to provide strategic leadership across key Digital Sydney programs that underpin the University's transformation agenda. Reporting to the Executive Director, Digital Sydney, you will lead a complex portfolio of concurrent initiatives, providing executive-level leadership, governance and delivery oversight while building strong partnerships across academic, professional and technology communities. Working alongside senior executives and key stakeholders, you will drive strategic outcomes, ensure disciplined execution and benefits realisation, and help position the University as a global leader in digitally enabled education, research and operations. Built the Sydney way, trusted, secure, responsible and human-centred, Digital Sydney is delivering scalable enterprise capabilities that will have a lasting impact on the future of the University. This role offers the opportunity to influence institution-wide transformation, lead high-performing teams through significant change, and leave a legacy that will shape the University's future for years to come.

Requirements

Postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline, or an equivalent combination of qualifications and extensive experience leading large-scale programs and digital transformation initiatives.
Demonstrated success leading complex, enterprise-wide digital transformation programs within large and highly matrixed organisations, delivering measurable business outcomes, organisational change and sustained benefits realisation.
Extensive experience managing significant portfolios, programs and investments, including oversight of substantial budgets, resources, delivery partners, competing priorities and complex interdependencies.
Exceptional strategic thinking, analytical, planning and decision-making capabilities, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and drive outcomes in fast-paced and evolving environments.
Highly developed communication, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills, with a proven ability to influence executive leaders, build consensus and drive change across diverse stakeholder groups.
Proven leadership of high-performing, multidisciplinary teams, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.
Strong governance, risk management and commercial acumen, with experience establishing effective delivery frameworks and ensuring successful delivery of strategic objectives.
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders, technology partners and vendors, leveraging digital capabilities to enable organisational transformation and value creation.
Strong understanding of contemporary digital technologies, including enterprise platforms, data, AI, cybersecurity and digital workplace solutions, and their application in driving organisational performance and transformation.
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.
Successful completion of all pre-employment or background checks required for the role in terms satisfactory to the University.
Declaration regarding investigation for, or engagement in, sexual harm or gender-based violence in the course of previous employment or in a legal process.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership to key Digital Sydney programs, ensuring alignment with the University's strategic priorities, digital transformation agenda and long-term institutional objectives.
Establish and champion enterprise governance frameworks that drive effective decision-making, delivery assurance, risk management, dependency management, benefits realisation and accountability across complex transformation initiatives.
Partner with senior executives, faculty leaders and professional services stakeholders to shape strategic direction, influence organisational priorities and drive the successful adoption of transformational change.
Lead and manage critical interdependencies across major University initiatives, ensuring coordinated delivery, alignment of outcomes and optimisation of institutional investment.
Oversee a complex delivery ecosystem comprising internal teams, strategic partners, vendors and service providers, fostering a high-performance culture focused on collaboration, innovation and delivery excellence.
Drive portfolio investment planning, business case development and strategic roadmap execution, ensuring resources are prioritised effectively to maximise value and achieve institutional objectives.
Ensure the delivery of measurable organisational benefits through enhanced user experiences, operational efficiency, digital capability, data-driven decision-making and sustainable business outcomes.
Provide executive-level leadership and guidance on emerging technologies, digital capabilities and transformation opportunities, helping shape the future direction of the University's digital landscape.
Represent Digital Sydney at executive, governance and stakeholder forums, providing strategic advice, portfolio insights and trusted leadership to support informed decision-making and successful delivery outcomes.
Act as a visible leader and ambassador for Digital Sydney, fostering strong stakeholder engagement, championing innovation and building organisational commitment to a digitally enabled future.