Portfolio Partner

• 2 x Full time, fixed term opportunities until 31 Dec 2027

• Drive Better Outcomes Through Strategic Partnership, Influence and Insight

• Offering a competitive remuneration package including 17% superannuation 

About the opportunity 

The Portfolio Partner is a highly influential role within the Strategic Program Office, partnering with senior leaders, faculties and divisions to shape and strengthen the University's most significant strategic initiatives.

Reporting to the Head of Program Partnering, you will act as a trusted advisor, guiding stakeholders through discovery, business case development, governance processes and investment decision-making. Rather than managing projects directly, you will use your expertise in project and program environments to coach, influence and challenge stakeholder teams, helping them define problems, clarify objectives and establish the right delivery approach. Your ability to build credibility and navigate complex stakeholder environments will be critical in driving successful outcomes. You will play a key role in helping senior leaders make informed investment decisions, ensuring initiatives are well-defined, evidence-based and positioned to deliver meaningful strategic outcomes and benefits.

This role is ideal for a strategic thinker who can quickly understand business challenges, facilitate meaningful conversations and bring people on the journey. You will take an enterprise-wide view, identifying risks, opportunities and interdependencies across a diverse portfolio while providing independent advice and insights that strengthen delivery confidence and strategic alignment.

Key responsibilities

• Partner with faculties and divisions to guide the development of strategic initiatives from discovery through to investment decision-making.

• Build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, influencing and challenging thinking to strengthen outcomes and strategic alignment.

• Facilitate workshops and discussions that help teams identify underlying business needs, clarify priorities and define effective solutions.

• Provide independent advice, challenge and assurance on delivery approaches, business cases, risks and governance requirements.

• Maintain a portfolio-wide view of initiatives, identifying interdependencies, risks, trends and opportunities that may impact delivery success.

• Support adherence to governance and delivery frameworks while contributing to continuous improvement across the portfolio.

About you

• Significant experience working within project, program or portfolio environments and a strong understanding of the project lifecycle.

• Exceptional stakeholder engagement skills, with a proven ability to influence, challenge and build trust with diverse stakeholder groups.

• Strong consulting and facilitation capabilities, with the confidence to ask probing questions and guide constructive conversations.

• Comfortable operating in complex and ambiguous environments, with the ability to adapt your approach and pivot as priorities evolve.

• Demonstrated ability to understand broader strategic objectives, connect the dots across multiple initiatives and provide practical advice.

• Excellent communication, relationship management and problem-solving skills, with a collaborative and outcomes-focused approach.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

EEO statement 

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTQIA+. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. 

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Platinum Employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion. 

How to apply

Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page. 

For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or support filling out this application, please contact Kristy Fairweather, Recruitment Operations, by email to [email protected]

© The University of Sydney

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.

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