Senior Director, Portfolio Delivery

Based at either our Geelong Waterfront or Melbourne Burwood Campus + hybrid work arrangements

Full-time and fixed-term for 5 years

Competitive remuneration including 17% superannuation

 

Why work with us?

At Deakin University, we offer more than just a job - we offer a lifestyle. Across our campuses in Geelong, Melbourne and regional Victoria, you’ll find everything you need to thrive: on-site childcare, gyms, medical centres, cafes, accessible public transport and convenient parking. Enjoy flexible working arrangements that support your work-life balance, generous leave entitlements including extended parental leave and the option to purchase additional time off, plus a wide range of staff discounts on travel and more. Our health and wellbeing services, ongoing professional development opportunities and inclusive, supportive culture make Deakin a place where you can grow - whether you're working remotely or immersed in the vibrant energy of campus life.

About The Role

As the Senior Director, Portfolio Delivery you will report directly to the Chief Information and Infrastructure Officer and will play a pivotal role in leading the strategic vision and execution of university-wide programs and initiatives across digital and infrastructure portfolios. You’ll be entrusted with shaping Deakin’s future - aligning investment, innovation and delivery with our strategic priorities and ensuring measurable impact.

You’ll lead a team of dedicated professionals, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation and collaboration. Working closely with university executives and stakeholders, you’ll steer a united model that enables effective portfolio governance while empowering teams to deliver.

As the Senior Director, Portfolio Delivery, your key responsibilities will be:

• Strategic Leadership: Lead the planning and delivery of significant infrastructure and digital programs, projects and initiatives, ensuring alignment with long-term university goals and values.
• People Leadership: Inspire and develop a high-performing team that thrives on trust, capability building and innovation. Foster a strong culture of accountability, inclusion and collaboration.
• Portfolio Oversight: Shape the portfolio governance model, oversee prioritisation and investment decisions and ensure effective delivery of large-scale programs.
• Stakeholder Partnership: Build and maintain strong relationships across the university, partnering with executives and business leaders to co-design solutions and achieve collective outcomes.
• Innovation and Insight: Stay ahead of trends and emerging technologies, using data and insights to inform strategic decisions and continuously improve program delivery.
• Governance and Reporting: Ensure transparent decision-making and provide executive-level reporting on program progress, outcomes, risks and strategic alignment.
• Operational Excellence: Manage budgets, vendors and delivery partners, ensuring efficiency, value and accountability across all portfolio activities.

About You

This role is ideal for a leader who thrives in complexity, brings a future-focused mindset and champions cross-functional partnerships that drive shared success.

You’Ll Bring:

• Qualifications and experience appropriate for a senior executive appointment, with a strong track record of leadership in complex organisations, ideally within higher education, public sector or similarly complex and values-driven environments.
• Extensive experience in leading a Portfolio, Program or Project Management Office (PMO), with demonstrated success overseeing large-scale, cross-functional programs that align with organisational strategy and deliver measurable value.
• Proven experience leading through change in large, matrixed environments - with the ability to navigate ambiguity, drive transformation and inspire high-performing teams through periods of growth.
• Strong leadership capability, with experience leading senior leaders, fostering a culture of collaboration, performance, accountability and innovation.
• A sound understanding of IT and/or property infrastructure and strategic asset management, with the ability to make informed decisions that balance innovation, risk, cost, and long-term value.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to see the bigger picture, connect the dots across initiatives and align portfolio delivery with long-term organisational priorities.
• Demonstrated success in the development and implementation of strategic initiatives, with a strong grasp of contemporary practices in project delivery, governance and organisational performance.
• Highly developed stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills, with a customer-focused mindset and the ability to influence, negotiate and build consensus at senior levels.

For a copy of the position description, please see below:

PD - Senior Director, Portfolio Delivery.pdf

To Apply

Please submit your updated resume and a short cover letter outlining your skills and experience.

For a confidential discussion regarding this role, please contact Zoe McQuillan – Strategic Advisor, Infrastructure & Digital on z.mcquillan@deakin.edu.au 

Applications for this position close 11.55pm on Sunday, 12 October 2025.

Are You Ready?

Deakin is a Victorian university with a global impact. We are an agile, dynamic, and innovative university committed to making a positive impact through our excellence in education, research and innovation and the contributions we make to the wider community.

We understand that our reputation has been built on the dedication and expertise of our staff and we offer a dynamic and diverse working environment with opportunities to grow and develop careers. We believe that a progressive, thriving culture will ensure that people choose to come, and stay at Deakin and contribute to our ongoing success.

We value diversity and aim to build an inclusive environment that champions, embraces and respects differences. We support and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people of all abilities, cultures, sexual orientation, and genders.