Head of IT, University Partnerships Australasia

Navitas is a diversified global education provider that offers an extensive range of educational services for students and professionals including university pathway programs, tertiary education, language training, professional education and student recruitment.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (UPA), the Head of IT provides strategic technology leadership across UPA, with accountability for technology strategy, governance, transformation, operational performance and the effective application of technology to improve divisional outcomes. The role partners with UPA Leadership and all UPA Business Units (Colleges) to shape and deliver change across People, Process and Systems, and represents UPA priorities within Group technology strategy and delivery.

The position has oversight for:

• Managing the operational and support activities of all Business Units;
• Defining and executing the UPA IT strategy to support and enhance the UPA Business strategy;
• Owning divisional technology governance, priorities and decision rights;
• Driving the future IT roadmap and organisational structure across the Division and Business Units;
• Leading technology-enabled business transformation, operating model improvement and process standardisation across UPA;
• Influencing Group technology strategy, development priorities and roadmaps across Technology and Business leaders;
• Owning divisional technology risk, executive assurance and appropriate technology controls;
• Leading divisional architecture, platform rationalisation, automation and considered adoption of emerging technologies including Artificial Intelligence;
• Building long-term strategic relationships with senior stakeholders across company;
• Supporting compliance and regulatory activities, strengthening data-driven decision making, and developing the wider UPA IT team.

Key to the success of this role is the ability to build and improve relationships, lead through change and manage complex stakeholders both internal and external to the Division and Navitas. The role extends beyond traditional IT leadership, combining business partnering with clear accountability for technology governance, transformation and operational outcomes that support growth and strategic change.

Key Relationships

Internal

i. EGM Technology and Systems - Navitas Group

iii. Navitas Executive Leadership Team

iv. Group IT Management, Development and Execution Teams

v. UPA - GM Marketing & Sales

vi. UPA - EGMs and CDPs

viii. Other Navitas Divisions - Heads of IT

External

i. Various Vendors and Consultants

ii. Delivery Partners - Australasia, Sri Lanka, Dubai, Indonesia, Singapore and new emerging markets

iii. External stakeholders e.g. DESE, TCSI reporting frameworks

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Provide strategic technology leadership within UPA leadership forums, covering operational performance, transformation, risk and strategic priorities.
• Lead the UPA IT team to deliver a customer-centred approach and high levels of IT support to colleges and business units.
• Build effective strategic partnerships with senior stakeholders across the Division and Group.
• Develop and implement the UPA IT Corporate Plan (5 years), aligned to UPA business strategy and Group technology direction.
• Own divisional technology governance, priorities and decision rights, establishing clear accountabilities, standards and escalation pathways across UPA.
• Lead technology-enabled business transformation across UPA, identifying opportunities to improve scalability, consistency, efficiency and organisational performance.
• Shape and evolve cross-functional operating models, working across technology, people and process to improve how services are designed and delivered.
• Identify and implement technology strategies that support desired business outcomes and sustainable divisional growth.
• Influence Group technology strategy, investment priorities and delivery roadmaps, representing UPA requirements and ensuring alignment to divisional strategic objectives.
• Lead divisional architecture and platform rationalisation, promoting sustainable, integrated and reusable technology solutions across colleges and emerging markets.
• Lead UPA's approach to AI, automation and intelligent workflows, ensuring opportunities are prioritised, governed and aligned to measurable business outcomes.
• Identify, evaluate and safely adopt emerging technologies, supporting controlled experimentation and scaling successful innovations across the Division.
• Own divisional technology risk and executive assurance, ensuring material risks, controls, dependencies and remediation activities are understood and actively managed.
• Drive standardisation of core processes across UPA, reducing unnecessary variation while supporting appropriate local and regulatory requirements.
• Develop reusable divisional operating standards and patterns, capturing successful approaches and enabling consistent adoption across existing and future operations.
• Act as the main point of contact for UPA technology matters and facilitate access to Group colleagues and subject matter experts.
• Negotiate at senior level on technical and commercial issues with vendors directly supporting the Division and support negotiations with Group vendors.
• Identify continuous improvement opportunities across services, products and systems, and oversee planning and delivery of improvements aligned to business needs.
• Oversee key internal relationships and act on improvements, changes and constructive feedback.
• Tailor communications to the needs of stakeholder groups, including business leaders, technology leaders and subject matter experts.
• Facilitate open communication and discussion between stakeholders, maintaining effective stakeholder engagement strategies and plans.
• Negotiate with stakeholders at senior levels, ensuring organisational policy, standards and strategies are appropriately applied and understood.
• Support UPA's growth agenda across Australian and offshore locations, including new and emerging markets.
• Manage the UPA IT operating and capital budgets.

Essential:

• 10-15 years’ experience in IT industry or experience in all aspects of IT at a senior level
• Appropriate tertiary qualifications or equivalent qualifications in an appropriate field of study.
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective working relationships across all areas of the business.
• Excellent problem solving, critical thinking and communication skills.
• Solid organisational skills with a commitment to meeting deadlines.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Self-starter who is comfortable working in a remote team environment.
• Demonstrable experience in creating engaging user experiences.
• Demonstrable experience working in and facilitating collaborative team environments.
• Demonstrable experience interpreting and prioritising disparate needs/requirements from users and business stakeholders.
• An inquisitive mindset.

Desirable:

• Experience within the education sector, particularly higher education.

What we can offer

• We offer careers across our global operations
• We recognise and reward.
• We understand the importance of showing appreciation.
• We care for you. We offer a range of employee benefits, support to help you be your best, and flexibility, to help us all thrive.
• Navitas is where work has meaning. Our impact is far-reaching - we create lasting legacies for students and communities.
• Access to LinkedIn Learning for your development
• 2 days a year volunteer leave for causes you are passionate about

Diversity Equity and Inclusion

• At Navitas we promote and embrace an inclusive and diverse workforce. We believe equality, flexibility, and diversity deliver a rich collaborative environment. We strive to ensure that all our staff - no matter where they are from or who they are - feel safe, supported, and given opportunities to thrive.
• We encourage applications from candidates with disabilities, of all ages and genders, First Nations and Indigenous peoples, and people of diverse community groups.

How to apply

Applicants are assessed upon receipt, so you are encouraged to apply now. To view other opportunities, please visit navitas.com/careers

All applicants must have full working rights within Australia to be considered. Successful candidates depending on their role maybe, required to provide a Working with Children Check and undergo a Police Check.