"Program Director – Cyber Security Portfolio"

• Fixed Term (5 years), full-time appointment
• Attractive executive remuneration package available
• Located at Wollongong Campus

The University of Wollongong (UOW) is seeking an exceptional senior leader to drive one of the University’s most significant enterprise transformation initiatives.

This is a rare opportunity to shape and deliver a multi-year Cyber Security Uplift Program and Identity and Access Management (IDAM) Program designed to elevate UOW’s cyber maturity. These programs sit at the core of UOW’s strategic risk agenda and require strong executive leadership, governance discipline, and transformation capability.

The Role

Reporting to senior executive sponsors and operating under the oversight of the Cyber Security Steering Committee, the Program Director will provide strategic direction and enterprise-wide coordination across a complex portfolio of interdependent initiatives.

You will be accountable for delivering measurable cyber uplift outcomes, embedding sustainable governance frameworks, and ensuring alignment across technology, process, risk and cultural change initiatives. The role requires confident engagement at Executive, Board and Committee level, including providing high-quality assurance, investment planning, and progress reporting.

This position carries full accountability for program performance—scope, schedule, budget, quality and benefits realisation—while leading a high-performing multidisciplinary team and managing key vendor and third-party partnerships. You will operate as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, proactively identifying risks, resolving competing priorities, and ensuring delivery momentum is maintained across the portfolio.

About You

We are seeking a seasoned enterprise program leader with a proven track record delivering large-scale cyber security, identity, or risk transformation programs in complex environments. You will bring:

• Extensive experience leading multi-stream, high-value strategic programs with significant organisational impact
• Strong governance and executive reporting capability, including Board-level engagement
• Deep understanding of cyber security maturity frameworks (e.g., NIST) and enterprise risk management
• Demonstrated financial stewardship of substantial budgets and complex vendor ecosystems
• The ability to build, lead and inspire high-performing teams through sustained transformation

Experience within higher education, government, or similarly federated organisations will be highly regarded.

Position Description

Why Join UOW?

This is an opportunity to lead a flagship transformation that will shape the University’s long-term resilience and digital trust. You will operate at a strategic level, influence enterprise-wide change, and leave a lasting legacy across a globally recognised institution.

If you are a senior transformation leader seeking a high-impact, executive-level program role with real strategic significance, we welcome your application.

How to Apply

Applicants are required to submit a cover letter detailing their skills, qualification and experience in relation to this position, along with an up-to-date CV.

For a confidential discussion or further information regarding this opportunity, please contact Vanessa Tsaccounis, Director Cyber Security tsaccounis@uow.edu.au 

Closing Date:  Thursday 5 March 2026, 11:55 PM

Note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Only candidates with valid work rights in Australia are eligible. 

As required by federal legislation, prospective employees are required to declare whether they have been investigated for an allegation of Gender based Violence or determined to have engaged in conduct that constitutes Gender based Violence, during their previous employment, or otherwise in a legal process. Any such declaration will be included in the University’s employment screening processes and will be treated with the strictest confidence and in compliance with all privacy legislation.

The University of Wollongong is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. As an equal opportunity employer, and a recognised leader in gender equality, we encourage and welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and people including culturally and linguistically diverse, women, disability, LGBTIQ+, and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Australians.

• Job Identification
• 6424
• Job Category
• Business Transformation
• Posting Date
• 02/26/2026, 10:26 AM
• Apply Before
• 03/05/2026, 08:55 PM
• Job Schedule
• Full time
• Locations
•  Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, AU