Associate Director, Digital Delivery Capability

Classification: ANU Senior Manager 3
Salary package: Competitive salary package offered, plus 17% superannuation
Term: Full-time, Continuing
Location: Acton, Canberra (opportunity for flexible working arrangements) 
Closing Date:  11 September 2025

• Make a difference to the national mission of our world-leading University, its students and staff.  
• Enjoy workplace flexibility and be part of a supportive team.

About Canberra

Nestled amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Australia, Canberra emerges as an unparalleled haven of unexplored possibilities. Offering accessible outdoor spaces, and the convenience of city living without spending hours in traffic, you will be able to immerse yourself in the vibrant arts and culture scene, visit the lively cafés and services, and build the future you dream of. The essence of Canberra lies in its ability to offer exceptional work life balance. Click here to find out more about why you should live and work in Canberra.

About the Role 
As a key leader within Information Technology Services (ITS) at the Australian National University, the Associate Director, Digital Capability plays a pivotal role in shaping the University’s digital future. This position leads a diverse portfolio of capabilities, spanning analysis, change, communications, DevOps, systems administration, and strategic support functions to enable the successful delivery of the University’s Digital Plan. Working in close partnership with senior leaders and stakeholders across ANU, the Associate Director drives cultural and operational transformation, fosters innovation, and ensures ITS has the talent, practices, and governance needed to deliver seamless, secure, and impactful digital experiences for students and staff.

Key Duties:   

•  Lead and manage a portfolio of teams delivering core functional capabilities that support ITS in achieving strategic and operational goals, with a strong focus on workforce planning, talent acquisition, development, and retention.
• Establish and oversee Chapters to ensure ITS has access to contemporary skills and thought leadership, working closely with Chapter Leads to foster a high-performance culture and develop consistent practices, frameworks, and artefacts.
• Develop and mature portfolio-level processes for digital activities across the University, including prioritisation frameworks and governance structures that enable effective decision-making and value delivery.
• Champion a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, creating opportunities for staff learning and development, and embedding agile, growth-oriented mindsets across teams.
• Provide strategic leadership in commercial and financial management, including procurement, contracting, vendor relationships, and budget oversight, ensuring alignment with University policies and procedures.

About You 

We welcome applications from individuals who possess the following attributes:  

• You will be a strategic and values-driven leader who brings:
• Extensive leadership experience in complex, culturally diverse environments, with a strong track record in team building, coaching, and fostering high-performing, psychologically safe teams.
• Proven expertise in managing significant human, financial, and material resources, supported by relevant postgraduate qualifications or equivalent experience.
• Strong project and operational management capabilities, with a deep understanding of IT systems and service delivery in large, complex organisations.
• Excellent people management and communication skills, with the ability to lead through change, resolve complex issues, and inspire confidence during periods of transformation.
• A collaborative and analytical mindset, with demonstrated success in stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and building trusted networks across and beyond the organisation.
• A commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, with a strong understanding of equal opportunity principles and their practical application in the workplace.

Desirable: Experience working with Agile cross-functional teams and supporting organisational agile maturity will be highly regarded.

For further information about this position, please contact the Chief Information Officer (CIO), Zoran Sugarevski, E: Zoran.Sugarevski@anu.edu.au

About Us  

ANU is home to some of the most remarkable people from across the world: visionaries, influential leaders, researchers and advocates creating impact and change nationally, regionally and globally. ANU attracts exceptional staff and students and, through education and enrichment programs, helps them to achieve ambitious goals, and pursue brilliant careers. Ranked in the top 30 universities globally, the first Australian university to be recognised in this elite tier, ANU continues to be an academic resource for the whole of Australia.  

About ITS: Information Technology Services (ITS) delivers digital solutions that enable the Australian National University to achieve its strategic goals: a student experience equal to the world’s best, and research that transforms society and creates national capability.  ITS is responsible for the University’s digital ecosystem and is leading the delivery of the Digital Master Plan, a 10-year strategic roadmap for the transformation of the University’s digital capability.    

Digital Transformation:  Informed by extensive consultation with ANU students and staff, the ANU Digital Master Plan (DMP) is a 10-year vision to transform the way our University does business - how we work and think. Our digital future will transform the experience of ANU for our students, researchers, academics, professional staff and the wider community, and we are seeking great people to be a part of this history-making journey. Click here to learn more.    

Our Campus  

The University's Acton campus is in the heart of Canberra. From here it's an easy walk, bike ride or drive to some of Australia's most significant political and cultural institutions including Australian Parliament House. You'll find all the conveniences of a small suburb including cafes, bars, supermarkets, childcare centres, a newsagency, post office and even a medical centre right on campus! The Acton Campus is well renowned for its landscape setting, with over 10,000 trees and a commitment to maintenance of open space. It's 'park like' environment is a feature that is internationally recognised.  

What we can offer you  

Our staff enjoy some amazing employee benefits:  

• ANU offers competitive remuneration packages including 17% superannuation and regular increases.  
• We support flexible and hybrid working, with access to our beautiful, green campus.  
• We offer discounted study, with 75% off ANU courses for staff and 25% for your spouse and children (see eligibility).  
• We have many professional development initiatives including training, mentoring & upskilling opportunities.  
• We have on-site Gyms with staff discounts as well as oval spaces and ANU sports clubs.  
• We are a family friendly campus with access to childcare facilities, designated parent rooms and quiet spaces.  
• ANU offers salary sacrificing including laptops, childcare, novated car leasing, additional superannuation, and more!  
• We offer onsite parking with salary sacrificing options. 
• We care about your wellbeing, with access to the Employee Assistance Program, vaccinations and health insurance plan options.  
• We are one of the leading employers in Australia for parental leave entitlements.  

ANU is committed to workforce diversity, creating an inclusive workplace, and providing equal employment opportunities to people with diverse backgrounds and identities. As part of this commitment, we welcome applications from all diversity groups. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability and people who identify as LGBTQIA+ are particularly encouraged to apply. Click here to learn more.   

Our Vision: Support the development of national unity and identity, improve our understanding of ourselves and our neighbours, provideour nation with research capacity amongst the best in the world, and education in areas vital for our future is our mission.   

Our Values: Excellence, Original Thinking, Integrity, Respect, Inclusivity, Diversity  

How to Apply  

 To apply for this role please ensure that your submission includes the following documents:  

• A statement addressing the selection criteria showing how your skills, experience and approach align with the role in no more than 2 pages.  
• A current curriculum vitae (CV).   
• The names and contact details of 2 referees.  

Applications which do not address the selection criteria may not be considered for the position.  

We are a recipient of the bronze award through the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) program and a platinum member of the Australian Network on Disability. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and identities and from individuals who may have had a non-linear career path, career gaps or career breaks. 

Reasonable adjustments to support applicants through this recruitment process can be made available upon request. Requests for adjustments will be treated with the strictest of confidentiality.  

Please note: The successful candidate must have rights to live and work in Australia and will be required to undergo a background check during the recruitment process, in accordance with the Background Checking Procedure. An offer of employment is conditional on satisfactory results.