- Employment Type: Full Time (35 hours per week)
- Duration: Fixed Term Contract until Dec 2027
- Remuneration: Competitive Remuneration Package
- Location: Kensington NSW (Hybrid Flexible Working)
Why your role matters
UNSW is seeking a Portfolio Manager to lead the planning, governance, integration, and assurance of University-wide initiatives within the Societal Transformation and Equity Portfolio Office, part of the Division of Societal Impact, Equity and Engagement. This key leadership role oversees multiple projects and workstreams, ensuring effective coordination across implementation, change, data, evaluation, reporting, and capability uplift functions.
A central focus of the role is leading compliance reporting and assurance for the University’s Gender-Based Violence Program, ensuring alignment with the Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence) Act 2025. The Portfolio Manager will drive high-quality reporting, monitor program performance, and ensure adherence to all relevant statutory, regulatory, and governance requirements.
Working collaboratively with stakeholders across the University, the role is responsible for gathering insights, structuring reports, and leading assurance activities to support effective program delivery. Reporting to the Portfolio Director, Societal Transformation and Equity, the Portfolio Manager will also lead a small team while fostering a culture of professionalism, inclusion, and respect, aligned with UNSW’s values.
For the major programs of work under your leadership, you will be required to undertake and have experience in the following areas of expertise:
- Lead and oversee all program workstreams, setting strategic direction, priorities, and timelines to ensure alignment with UNSW’s mission, legislation, and policy requirements.
- Oversee project planning, implementation, change management, data frameworks, reporting, and capability-building initiatives in partnership with the subject matter lead.
- Ensure quality, integrity, and efficiency in delivering program components, including integration of new processes, systems, and reporting mechanisms.
- Mentor and manage workstream leads and project staff to build an inclusive, high-performance culture.
- Drive collaboration with internal and external stakeholders—senior leaders, academic and operational teams, service partners, and experts—to optimise outcomes and maintain clear communication and engagement.
- Monitor progress, risks, governance, and financial management, ensuring compliance, responsible budgeting, and adherence to the Code of Conduct.
- Act as the UNSW subject matter expert in influencing and informing the sector on UNSW progress and best practices.
About You:
- Relevant postgraduate qualification or equivalent senior leadership experience in program/project management, education, implementation, or a related field. Experience in compliance-driven environments (e.g. legal, health service or social support service program management) is highly regarded.
- Extensive experience leading complex, multi-workstream programs in large organisations, with a strong track record of delivering major and/or legislated change—ideally within higher education.
- Advanced strategic planning, organisational, and decision-making capability, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outcomes. Highly analytical with strong attention to detail.
- Proven stakeholder engagement and influence skills, including negotiation and conflict resolution at executive level.
- Demonstrated capability in budget oversight, resource management, compliance, and ensuring program value.
- High proficiency with program/project management systems, data and reporting tools, and communication platforms, supported by excellent written and verbal communication skills and alignment with UNSW’s governance, values, and Code of Conduct.
For further details on role responsibilities and skills & experience required, refer to the position description found under the position listing on Jobs@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.
- 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
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.
How to Apply: Submit your CV & cover letter addressing the key selection criteria (no more than 2 pages) before 11.55pm Monday 27th April 2026. Please note: Sponsorship is not available for this role, valid Australian working rights are required on application.
Job queries contact: Chloe Gane, Talent Acquisition Consultant E: chloe.gane@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.
