Program Director, Performance Excellence

Job no:
HRC

Category:
HEW 10+

Position:
Full Time Fixed Term until 31 st December 2025

Location:
Newcastle (Callaghan) Campus

Our University

The University of Newcastle stands as a global leader distinguished by a commitment to equity and excellence. Our vision is to be a world-leading University for our regions and create a better future for our regions and the globe. Underpinned by this vision and our values of excellence, equity, engagement and sustainability, the University of Newcastle's Looking Ahead Strategic Plan outlines the University's commitment to delivering an exceptional student experience and serving our communities.

For more information click here - Our Uni .

Our Unit

A unique opportunity exists to join the University of Newcastle as we embark on enhancing our strategic footing for the future. With the announcement of the Australian Universities Accord that will drive transformative reform across the Higher Education system, we are exploring avenues to further enhance our support for students and refine our operational practices to continue to better serve our region.

The University is standing up a program of work to identify where we can gain efficiencies and improve our effectiveness as an institution. Led by our Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic Excellence), Professor Jennifer Milam, the Performance Excellence team, will support the coordinated implementation of institutional strategic priorities, and large change initiatives, preparing the University to be a sustainable institution well into the future.

The team will define a path of performance excellence derived from a holistic approach and a collaborative culture that will sustain our world-class learning experience for students and support a high-performing research-intensive university.

The Team is responsible for providing resources, insights, and specialised support in the areas of project and change management, communications, and data-informed strategic insights.

Be challenged and imagine with us

The Program Director is a senior member of the Academic Excellence team.This key leadership role has responsibility and accountability for timely and effective delivery of a suite of strategic programs that are aimed at enhancing the ongoing pursuit of performance excellence, sustainability, and efficient operational processes of the University.

Over the two-year period the Program Director will lead the University's Service Excellence Program and key strategic initiatives within Academic Excellence to deliver on the University's Looking Ahead Strategic Plan.

How will you inspire us?

The successful candidate will have the leadership skills and change management experience to lead the Performance Excellence team, a high-performing team of project and change management, communications, and data analysis specialists providing a holistic approach to the successful delivery of strategic initiatives across the University.

You will have:

• Postgraduate qualifications and proven expertise in the management of significant change program, and project planning outcomes in a large complex organisation.
• Demonstrated leadership qualities and capacity to manage high performing, multi-disciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated extensive project planning experience, encompassing strategic, conceptual and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated record of providing strategic direction and leading the development and delivery of change initiatives usingsound judgement to make critical decisions.
• Experience in developing and implementing protocols, change frameworks and processes.
• Skills and ability to forge and maintain professional, collaborative partnerships with key stakeholders across all levels of the organisation.
• Superior interpersonal and communication skills including influencing and negotiation across organisational boundaries and generate a strong sense of team spirit, co-operation and collaboration, within and across teams.

For the full list of essential and desirable selection criteria, please review the Position Description.

What we offer

A highly attractive remuneration package is on offer and a range of flexible salary packaging options is also available.

For information on our employee benefits (such as flexible working, discounts in private health insurance and gym memberships and salary packaging) please visit here .

Move to Newcastle

A move to Newcastle offers you the choice to live in the city, by the sea or near bushland - the region offers a wonderful place for a family to grow and the opportunity to strike a work/life balance.

Visit the City of Newcastle site to imagine your future.

Your next steps

Visit this page for a guide on how to apply for a role.

If viewing this on a job board other than the University's please click 'Apply' to reach the University's website, where a copy of the Position Description can be accessed. Please download a copy before commencing your application.

Your application must include:

• Your curriculum vitae
• A cover letter outlining your motivation to apply for this opportunity and addressing the selection criteria

Please upload your Cover Letter and response to the requested Criteria as one PDF document.

Your Cover Letter and Response to the Essential Criteria should not exceed 2 - 3 pages.

For the full list of the selection criteria and role responsibilities, please download the Position Description (available in the Related Documents section below).

For specific position enquiries, please contact Kathy Hadley, Executive Assistant, Office of Academic Excellence on or via email at

Having Difficulties? Please reach out to us:

Closing date:
Thursday, 13 th June at 11.59pm AEST

We are excited to beLooking Aheadwith you

The University of Newcastle is an equal opportunity employer committed to equity, diversity and social inclusion. Women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.

The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas:
Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.