Program Director, Operations Transformation

Seeking an accomplished Program Director, Operations Transformation.

Full-time, fixed-term (till May 2029) position based at our Hawthorn campus

Attractive Salary + 17% super and staff benefits

About the Role

Swinburne is seeking an accomplished Program Director, Operations Transformation to lead one of the University’s most significant enterprise-wide initiatives. This is a pivotal leadership role, accountable for shaping and delivering a future-state operating model across our Operations (Shared Services) functions—including Finance, People & Culture, Procurement, Facilities, Property, Legal, Risk & Compliance.

You will translate strategy into action, leading end-to-end transformation across business processes, digital platforms, service delivery and workforce transition. With a focus on sustainable outcomes, you’ll embed scalable, high-performing operational capability that supports the University’s long-term success.

Operating at an enterprise level, you will oversee a complex, multi-stream portfolio and work in close partnership with the COO, Executive Sponsors, senior leaders and delivery partners to ensure alignment to institutional strategy and enduring business value.

This is an opportunity to:

• Lead a high-profile, enterprise transformation program
• Influence at the most senior levels of the organisation
• Deliver meaningful, measurable change at scale
• Shape how the University operates into the future

About You

To be suitable for this role you will need to have experience in the below key accountabilities:

• Lead the design, delivery and operationalisation of the ‘Our Operating Model’ transformation program, ensuring successful implementation across all phases including design, mobilisation, implementation, transition and optimisation.
• Establish and drive an integrated transformation program plan, including scope, sequencing, interdependencies, milestones, delivery releases, risks and benefits realisation.
• Maintain clear portfolio-level oversight of delivery scope, dependencies, critical path, implementation sequencing and cross-stream impacts across all Operations transformation initiatives.
• Define, implement and operationalise the future-state operating model across the University’s Operations (Shared Services) functions, ensuring alignment to institutional strategy, service delivery objectives and long-term organisational sustainability.
• Ensure the Operations Transformation program is aligned with the broader Ad Astra strategy, enterprise transformation priorities and the University’s future-state operating model.
• Partner with senior leaders to embed operating model changes into business planning, workforce strategy, financial planning and operational decision-making.
• Manage program budget, resources, and investment to ensure delivery within agreed parameters.
• Lead executive engagement and alignment across Operations transformation streams, ensuring clear accountability, coordinated decision-making and delivery focus across business and technology stakeholders.

Qualifications

• A relevant tertiary qualification in business, strategy, management or a related discipline.
• Postgraduate qualification in a relevant field (e.g. business administration, transformation, public sector management or demonstrated experience leading large-scale, enterprise-wide transformation programs in complex organisations.

About Swinburne University of Technology

Swinburne’s strategy draws upon our understanding of future challenges. We choose to build Swinburne as the prototype of a new and different university – one that is truly of Technology, of Innovation and of Entrepreneurship. We are committed to a differentiated university proposition in education and research.

Our Ad Astra strategy is the cornerstone of Swinburne’s bold ambition to lead globally in technology-driven education and research. This strategy positions us to create transformative solutions, empower learners, and partner with industry to thrive in an ever-changing world.

What We Offer You!

• Work your way with flexible working arrangements, including hybrid options and generous parental leave to support a balanced lifestyle.
• Exclusive staff discounts, including discounted Medibank health insurance, 50% off Swinburne courses and other partner offers.
• Swinburne offers 17% super and salary packaging options, including car leasing and extra super contributions.

Want to learn more? Head over to our benefits page!

To Apply

Please submit your CV and cover letter addressing the Key Selection Criteria and your suitability for this position.

To review the Position Description and to apply, please scroll down to the bottom of the page.

If you are viewing this advert from an external site, please click ‘apply’ and you will be redirected to Swinburne’s Jobs website to access the Position Description at the bottom of the page.

Please Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children Check.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application, please contact the Talent Acquisition team at talentacquisition@swin.edu.au.

Applications Close: Wednesday 3rd of June at 11.30 pm

Swinburne offers flexible working options contained in our leave and parenting/carer policies to support work-life balance.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Swinburne has become a world-class university, driving social and economic impacts through science, technology, and innovation. As a dual-sector university, our vision is for people and technology working together to build a better world.

Central to our vision is our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We pride ourselves on being an equal opportunity employer focused on attracting, retaining, and developing great talent. We work to remove barriers related to gender identity, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, and age.

We strongly encourage applicants from diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Our Moondani Toombadool Centre leads our Indigenous education and culture at Swinburne, guided by community wisdom and leadership.

We support applicants with disabilities, and reasonable adjustments can be requested at any stage of the recruitment process.

For reasonable adjustment requests - including accessible formats of the position description, application form, or other documents, please contact talentacquisition@swin.edu.au or call +61 3 9214 3550. Please note: this phone number is for disability and reasonable adjustment enquiries only. General enquiries about the role can also be emailed to talentacquisition@swin.edu.au.

Victoria’s Commitment to Action: Improving international student employment outcomes. As a signatory to Victoria’s Commitment to Action, Swinburne seeks to remove barriers to international graduate employment. We welcome and encourage applications from international graduates.

As a Circle Back Initiative Employer, we commit to responding to every applicant.

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