IT Program Manager

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Job no: 539815
Work type: Full Time
Location: Sydney, NSW
Categories: Information Technology, Project Management

• 6 month day rate contract role as an IT Program Manager
• Kensington based, Hybrid working environment

UNSW IT is seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead the delivery of complex business and technology programs spanning UNSW, Partners and Vendors. This role is responsible for end to end technical delivery, with a strong focus on vendor management, governance, and senior stakeholder engagement.

The Program Manager will operate at a strategic and operational level, coordinating multiple project streams, representing in governance forums, and ensuring delivery outcomes are aligned with UNSW priorities and compliance requirements.

This is a high impact contractor role, suited to a confident program leader who can operate effectively in a complex environment.

The Program Manager will own the integrated technical delivery plan across UNSW internal teams and vendors. The role requires strong governance capability, the ability to manage ambiguity, and experience driving delivery across geographically dispersed teams.

The Program Manager will directly lead multiple Project Managers and act as the primary interface between UNSW, Vendors and delivery partners.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the full technical delivery across UNSW, Partners and Vendors, ensuring alignment across all program workstreams.
• Maintain very close oversight of vendor delivery, including performance, milestones, risks and dependencies.
• Develop and manage a detailed, integrated program plan across UNSW, Partner and vendor teams.
• Establish and run vendor governance forums, including:
  • Vendor governance meetings
  • Vendor stand ups
  • Vendor risk management processes
• Prepare and present Steering Committee reports and actively support decision making.
• Lead program level risk, issue, dependency and change management.
• Provide leadership and direction to Project Managers.
• Stand in for Project Managers in hands on role when they are on leave.
• Coordinate delivery across internal UNSW teams and external partners and vendors, including offshore vendors.
• Ensure delivery aligns with UNSW governance, assurance and reporting expectations.
• Contribute to portfolio coordination and prioritisation as required.

Who you are - Essential

• Demonstrated experience leading large, complex IT or technology enabled programs in enterprise or regulated environments.
• Strong vendor management experience, including governance, performance management and issue escalation.
• Proven ability to operate effectively in complex environments with competing priorities.
• Advanced capability managing detailed integrated plans.
• Strong Jira expertise, particularly for large programs with multiple workstreams.
• Support business case development, change requests, and delivery planning as Program scope evolves
• Proven experience preparing senior level governance reports and presenting at Steering Committees.
• Experience leading and managing Project Managers and delivery teams.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management and influencing skills.

Who you are - Desirable

• Experience working with offshore delivery partners and teams.
• Experience delivering programs across multiple organisations.
• Familiarity with higher education or similarly complex governance environments.
• Portfolio Management Experience

To Apply: If this is of interest to you, please submit your CV, cover letter and responses to criteria.

Contact
Jen MacLachlan, Talent Acquisition, email is j.maclachlan@unsw.edu.au

Applications close: Wednesday 6th of May at 11.30pm

UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff.

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

Advertised: 28 Apr 2026 AUS Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: 06 May 2026 AUS Eastern Standard Time