Lead Project Manager

• Full time, fixed term role 15 months as a Lead Project Manager, UNSW IT.
• Attractive salary package available
• Kensington, Sydney location, 2-3 days in the office, Hybrid working

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. It’s the reason we’re one of the top 20 universities in the world (QS top 20) and a member of Australia’s prestigious Group of Eight. If you want a career where you can thrive, be challenged and do meaningful work, you’re in the right place.

The primary purpose of the Lead Project Manager is management and successful delivery of multiple projects and/or programs of work (eg. multiple projects), and includes the leadership and coaching of Project Managers within UNSW IT.

This role exercises substantial personal responsibility and autonomy to meet given objectives and processes and works within a clear framework of accountability.

Influences customers, suppliers and partners at account level and has responsibility of managing and leading teams, as well as the allocation of resources.

Makes decisions which influence the success of projects, service delivery and team objectives. Collaborates regularly with team members, users and customers and engages to ensure that user needs are being met throughout. Work includes a broad range of complex technical or professional activities, and investigates, defines and resolves complex issues.

Has a thorough understanding of recognised generic industry and specialist bodies of knowledge, actively maintains own knowledge and can apply knowledge effectively in unfamiliar situations.

Maintains an awareness of developing practices and their application, takes responsibility for driving own development and supports the development of team.

This position will report to the Portfolio Manager and has no direct reports.

Specific accountabilities for this role include:

• Ensure delivered technology capability is robust, fit for purpose and flexible to enable UNSW to achieve its objectives and respond to changing demands.
• Manage the scope, cost, quality and timeliness of capabilities delivered by UNSW IT, including third party suppliers and business partners in line with IT and UNSW governance pathways.
• Manage and engage staff assigned to project teams to drive a strong customer centric culture and healthy engagement within the organisation.
• Review and monitor the performance and status of all assigned projects and address any concerns or issues that may impact on the successful delivery of the project to the business area.
• Proactively identify and escalate potential risks and ensure security is appropriately addressed.
• Develop effective working relationship with internal and external stakeholders to develop innovative solutions that meet business needs.
• Actively collaborate with customers and stakeholders to understand business problems and define business cases to improve IT services and transform existing capabilities.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, championing professional standards, innovation and professional method.
• Align with and actively demonstrate the Code of Conduct and Values
• 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:

• Relevant tertiary qualification and significant experience as an IT Project Manager, using a formal Project Management methodology.
• Experience in higher education sector required, preferably within IT or Research domains
• Significant experience in managing multiple projects through the complete project lifecycle, with the ability to deliver to project estimates plans.
• Experience with PRINCE2, PMBOK, Agile or other recognised project management methodologies.
• Proven ability to lead the implementation of robust digital strategies to deliver business outcomes and experience with driving technology change.
• Vendor management/procurement experience.
• Effective analytical, business planning and budgeting skills.
• Strong leadership and effective people management skills, with experience in building effective / high performance teams along with developing and retaining staff.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills. Able to develop effective relationships and influence key stakeholders at all levels in the organisation.
• Proven ability to exercise independent judgement and problem solving with the ability to resolve and address issues as they arise.
• An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
• Knowledge of health & safety (psychosocial and physical) responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.

Benefits and Culture

• Flexible Working Options (work from home, flexible hours etc)
• Career development opportunities
• 17% Superannuation contributions and additional leave loading payments
• Additional 3 days of leave over Christmas period
• Discounts and entitlements (retail, education, fitness)

For further details on the benefits, please visit https://www.jobs.unsw.edu.au/lifestyle-benefits

How to Apply: please apply through the portal, we would like you to submit a full application including resume and addressing the who you are section.

Applications close: Sunday 9th of August 2026 at 11.30pm

Pre-Employment Checks
Aligned with UNSW’s focus on cultivating a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct, and strong integrity preferred candidates will be required to participate in a combination of pre-employment checks relevant to the role they have applied for.

These pre-employment checks may include a combination of some of the following checks:-

• National and International Criminal history checks
• Entitlement to work and ID checks
• Working With Children Checks
• Completion of a Gender-Based Violence Prevention Declaration
• Verification of relevant qualifications
• Verification of relevant professional membership
• Employment history and reference checks
• Financial responsibility assessments/checks.
• Medical Checks and Assessments

Compliance with the necessary combination of these checks is a condition of employment at UNSW.

Get in Touch:

Jen MacLachlan

************@unsw.edu.au

Talent Acquisition Partner – UNSW IT

Please apply through the application portal and not via the contact above.

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.