About UNSW:
UNSW isn’t like other places you’ve worked. Yes, we’re a large organisation with a diverse and talented community, a community doing extraordinary things. Together, we are driven to be thoughtful, practical, and purposeful in all we do. Taking this combined approach is what makes our work matter. If you want a career where you can thrive, be challenged and do meaningful work, you’re in the right place.
The Portfolio Manager for Research Solutions leads the delivery of transformative IT projects and initiatives that drive innovation and align with the university's strategic goals. This role combines strategic oversight, resource management, and stakeholder collaboration to deliver impactful digital solutions in partnership with the Division of Research and Enterprise. With a focus on leadership, the Portfolio Manager builds high-performing teams, fosters a customer-centric culture, and ensures alignment with organizational values while enhancing business performance.
Accountabilities:
- Provide senior leadership and advice around the delivery of complex projects and programs to achieve the business objectives, business benefits & business value. This includes the ongoing management of scope, risks and issues, controls and budget as well as monitoring and reporting on the end-to-end program, project or initiative.
- Collaborate with diverse stakeholders to help shape demand into agreed programs and projects of work of varying size and complexity and to agree and adopt the defined technology strategy and new solutions articulated within a project or initiative.
- Develop an effective annual portfolio of work in accordance with the goals and strategic objectives of the UNSW divisions.
- Strategically map-out and monitor portfolio schedule, timeline, budgets, and resourcing, and assist stakeholders in securing and managing funding for the planned portfolio of work.
- Manage key relationships with stakeholders, sponsors, Steering Committees, and senior stakeholders as appropriate.
- Develop and lead the presentation of business cases for high-level initiatives.
- Liaise with colleagues in other IT Teams to secure resources required on Domain projects and initiatives, including but not limited to, Integration and Testing.
- Provide expert and specialist advice to support transformation programs, providing strategy and services to support the resolution of conflicting demands and/or designs and initiatives and managing dependencies between projects and programs of work.
- Provide organisational leadership, including developing, managing, and engaging teams, driving a strong customer centric culture and healthy engagement within the organisation.
- Conduct regular health checks on Domain projects and provide assurance on project compliance and delivery.
- Manage and coach Project Managers and Delivery Leads within the Domain.
- Ensure Domain alignment with IT PMO and EPMO processes and engagement with communities of practice.
- Align with and actively demonstrate the UNSW Values in Action: Our Behaviours and the UNSW Code of Conduct. • Ensure hazards and risks psychosocial and physical are identified and controlled for tasks, projects, and activities that pose a health and safety risk within your area of responsibility.
Who you are:
- Extensive experience in conceptualising, delivering and operationalising technology initiatives (small to large) using recognised hybrid and agile delivery methodologies.
- Demonstrated capacity to exercise sound judgment, diplomacy, and discretion and proven ability to take initiative, conceptualise complex information, and work with and manage ambiguity to achieve outcomes.
- Strong leadership, influencing and negotiation skills to establish and maintain effective working relationships, including complex discussions and decisions with senior stakeholders with varying expectations and viewpoints within agreed timelines.
- Demonstrated success working effectively and collaboratively on initiatives with a range of people at different levels within an organisation.
- Strong people management skills involving direct, matrix and augmented resources.
- Tertiary qualifications in a relevant field and or extensive equivalent service experience in Portfolio, Program and Project management.
- Extensive experience and knowledge of project management methodologies and techniques, Certifications (PMP, Prince2, Agile).
- Exposure to working in large complex environment and proven track record of managing programs of work and experience in dealing with diverse stakeholders.
- Superior level of Cloud, SaaS, Digital technology knowledge and the general technical landscape.
- Strong interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills including the ability to develop effective relationships and influence key stakeholders at all levels in the organisation.
- An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
To Apply: If this is of interest to you, please submit your CV, Cover Letter which includes the responses to these THREE questions.
Questions:
- Describe your portfolio management experience involving a mix of initiatives and projects, including your approach to balancing scope, risks, budget, and timelines across multiple initiatives.
- Explain your approach and strategies to influence diverse stakeholders with varying opinions, including senior leaders, to align with a project or strategic initiative.
- Share how you have built and led high-performing teams to ensure engagement and alignment with organisational values and objectives.
More Information: visit https://www.jobs.unsw.edu.au/
Contact
Jen MacLachlan, email: j.maclachlan@unsw.edu.au
Benefits and Culture
- Flexible hybrid working
- Additional 3 days of leave over the Christmas Period
- Access to lifelong learning and career development
- Progressive HR practices
- Discounts and entitlements
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.
