- Employment Type: Full-time, Fixed Term 12 month position.
- Remuneration: Competitive total package
- Location: Kensington, NSW (Hybrid working model)
About UNSW
At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work. We aspire to be Australia’s global university, improving and transforming lives through excellence in research, outstanding education and a commitment to advancing a just society.
Why your role matters
The Programme Director, Data Transformation, is a senior leadership role tasked with overseeing the strategic planning, coordination, and execution of organisation-wide data transformation initiatives. Reporting to the Chief Data Officer (CDO), this role will lead the delivery of key programs designed to modernise data infrastructure, uplift organisational capability, and embed a strong data culture — with a focus on both protecting data and maximising business value.
The role is responsible for all phases of the program lifecycle, including business case development, planning and scheduling, financial forecasting, prioritisation, governance, and resource management.
The Programme Director will have direct reporting lines to the CDO and will also be accountable for leading and managing project team members.
About the Role
The successful applicant will be required to undertake and have experience in the following areas of expertise:
- Programme Ownership - Own the delivery of the data transformation programme end-to-end, from inception through execution to realisation of business outcomes.
- Develop, maintain and drive integrated delivery plans, ensuring clear milestones, dependencies, and sequencing across workstreams, aligned to the broader transformation roadmap.
- Strategic Planning and Execution - Translate Enterprise Data Office strategic vision into a comprehensive programme roadmap, ensuring alignment with enterprise goals and data strategy.
- Business Case & Financial Management - Develop robust business cases and manage programme budgets, financial forecasting, benefit realisation, and cost optimisation.
- Programme Governance - Establish and oversee robust governance structures, ensuring adherence to project management frameworks, controls, and compliance requirements.
- Prioritisation & Scheduling - Drive effective prioritisation of initiatives and manage interdependencies across projects and workstreams to optimise delivery outcomes.
- Stakeholder Engagement - Engage and influence executive stakeholders, business leaders, and delivery partners to secure alignment, sponsorship, and active participation.
- Team Leadership & Resource Management - Build and lead high-performing multidisciplinary teams, allocating resources efficiently and fostering a strong performance and delivery culture.
- Change Management - Oversee the change enablement strategy to drive adoption of new data capabilities, ensuring minimal disruption and high user engagement.
- Risk & Issue Management - Proactively manage risks, dependencies, and issues across the programme, ensuring timely mitigation and resolution.
- Performance Reporting - Provide regular, transparent updates to the CDO and executive committee on progress, risks, outcomes, and strategic alignment.
About You
- Proven experience in leading complex, large-scale data or digital transformation programmes in a matrixed or enterprise environment.
- In-depth understanding of data management disciplines, including data governance, data architecture, quality, privacy, analytics, and platform modernisation.
- Demonstrated experience working closely with or within a Chief Data Office or similar strategic data function.
- Strong financial acumen, including experience with business case development, budget management, and benefits tracking.
- Expertise in programme and project management methodologies (e.g. Agile, PRINCE2, MSP).
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
- Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and external delivery partners.
- Represent the program in senior decision-making forums and governance committees, shaping and influencing decisions at an organisational level to support investment, policy, and business alignment.
For further information on the role & responsibilities, please refer to the Position Description
How to Apply: Submit your CV & cover letter detailing your interest and suitability for the job (as per the skills & experience bullet points in the Position Description) before Sunday 17th August by 11:55pm.
Please note: Sponsorship is not available for this role, valid Australian working rights are required on application.
UNSW Benefits and Culture: People are at the core of everything we do. We recognise it is the contributions of our staff who make UNSW one of the best universities in Australia and the world. Our benefits include:
- Flexible Working Options (work from home, flexible hours etc)
- Additional 3 days leave during December festive period.
- Career development opportunities
- Up to 50% discount on UNSW courses
- Flexible 17% Superannuation contributions, additional leave-loading payments and salary sacrifice.
- Discounts and entitlements (retail, education, fitness passport)
Job queries contact: Tai James, Talent Acquisition Consultant
E: tai.james@unsw.edu.au (applications to the address cannot be accepted, please apply online)
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.
