Senior Project Manager – Early Learning Shared Governance Transition

Lead a complex, meaningful transformation across 13 Early Learning services

18-month maximum-term contract | Sydney | Hybrid working

The opportunity

This is not a typical project management role.

The Uniting Church Synod of NSW and the ACT, working in close partnership with Uniting Early Learning, is embarking on a significant transformation involving 13 Early Learning services across NSW.

We are looking for an experienced Senior Project Manager to lead this program from establishment through implementation, helping determine and deliver sustainable future operating arrangements for each service.

The complexity isn't just in the project plan.

These services have longstanding relationships with Congregations, families and local communities. Success will require someone who can bring structure and momentum to a complex program while navigating sensitive stakeholder relationships, differing perspectives and significant organisational change.

If you are an accomplished project or transformation leader who combines strong delivery capability with judgement, empathy and the ability to bring people with you through change, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful and lasting impact.

About the role

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and working closely with Uniting Early Learning, you will lead the Shared Governance Transition Program across multiple concurrent service workstreams.

You will:

• Lead the program plan, governance, milestones, dependencies, risks and resources.

• Coordinate assessment and recommendations on the future pathway for each Early Learning service.

• Build trusted relationships across Uniting, the Synod, Presbyteries, Congregations and Early Learning communities.

• Lead sensitive stakeholder engagement and support people through significant change.

• Develop and oversee service transition plans across operational, workforce, financial, legal, property and technology workstreams.

• Lead external provider, due diligence and procurement processes where required.

• Provide high-quality reporting, analysis and recommendations to the Program Steering Committee.

• Ensure transitions are carefully planned and implemented with minimal disruption to children, families, employees and communities.

About you

You are an experienced Senior Project Manager or transformation professional who is comfortable operating in complex environments where relationships and judgement matter just as much as delivery.

You will bring:

• Significant experience leading complex projects, transformation programs or service transitions.

• Strong program and project management capability across governance, planning, risk, budget and implementation.

• Highly developed stakeholder engagement, influencing and change leadership skills.

• The ability to navigate competing interests and sensitive issues with sound judgement and political acumen.

• Experience working with senior executives, boards, committees or other complex governance structures.

• Strong analytical, communication and facilitation capability.

• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary workstreams and maintaining momentum across competing priorities.

• Experience with procurement, tendering or third-party provider arrangements.

Experience in Early Learning, education, human services, community services, not-for-profit, faith-based or other highly regulated environments would be highly regarded, but is not essential.

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to lead a program with genuine organisational and community impact.

You will work across two significant purpose-led organisations and alongside senior leaders, Early Learning professionals, Congregations and communities to help shape sustainable arrangements for services that matter deeply to the people they support.

You will have the scope to establish the program, influence its approach and lead a complex transformation from strategy into implementation.

The Uniting Church is committed to inclusion and welcomes people who share our values of Integrity, Respect, Collaboration and Compassion.

Interested?

If you are an experienced project or transformation leader looking for a role where strong delivery, relationships and purpose come together, we would welcome your application.

Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your experience leading complex transformation, transition or service delivery programs.