AI Job Summary

- Must hold valid working rights in Australia.
- Tertiary qualifications in Business, Commerce, Project Management, IT or related discipline.

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Role Type

Permanent • Full-time • Director

Description

About the Catholic Development Fund

Catholic Development Fund (CDF) are a values-based financial institution that provides funding and support across its footprint of Catholic organisations, including parishes, primary and secondary schools, healthcare, aged care, and social services providers.

Our work enables real impact: from hospital wings for the sick, safe havens for the homeless, and classrooms for the young – we support our customers to grow their mission. Through our expertise and commitment, we help Catholic organisations and everyday people put their faith into action and contribute to a fairer, more cohesive society.

About the Role

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Executive Manager – Project Management (PMO) is responsible for designing, establishing and leading CDF’s enterprise approach to project and program delivery. The role will create a practical, scalable delivery model that provides clear governance, prioritisation, accountability and visibility across CDF’s strategic portfolio to support the organisation’s customer needs and growth ambitions.

The position is accountable for translating CDF’s strategic priorities into executable programs and projects, including delivery of the Blueprint for Success and key client projects. It provides hands-on leadership for complex, cross-functional initiatives while building consistent project, program, change and benefits management disciplines across the organisation. Working closely with the Executive Leadership Team, Technology, Transformation, Product, Operations, Risk, Finance and Client Services, the role will ensure initiatives are appropriately scoped, sequenced, resourced and governed.

It will identify dependencies and delivery risks early, support timely decisions and provide concise reporting to executives, the Board and Committees. The role requires an experienced transformation and delivery leader with a solid track record in technology-enabled change, client-facing programs and operating effectively across business and technology environments. The successful candidate will combine strategic thinking with disciplined execution, strong stakeholder influence and a pragmatic approach suited to CDF’s size and mission.

Key Accountabilities

PMO Design & Delivery Framework

- Design and implement CDF’s enterprise project delivery framework, providing a clear and proportionate approach for projects of different scale, complexity and risk.
- Establish fit-for-purpose project and program lifecycle standards, stage gates, templates, governance forums, assurance practices and reporting rhythms.
- Define portfolio intake, assessment, prioritisation and sequencing processes so investment and resource decisions align with CDF’s strategy, capacity and risk appetite.
- Create clear accountabilities for sponsors, project owners, delivery leads and governance bodies, and embed disciplined decision-making and escalation pathways.
- Continuously improve the delivery model as CDF’s capability and portfolio mature, balancing robust governance with simplicity and speed.

Portfolio Leadership & Strategy Execution

- Lead the enterprise portfolio of strategic, transformation, technology, client and business improvement initiatives.
- Translate the Blueprint for Success and other strategic priorities into integrated roadmaps, delivery plans, milestones, resource requirements and measurable outcomes.
- Maintain a consolidated view of portfolio progress, dependencies, capacity, risks, issues, decisions and advantages.
- Support the Executive Leadership Team to prioritise initiatives, resolve conflicts, allocate resources and unblock delivery.
- Provide early,



evidence-based escalation where delivery, financial, customer, technology, compliance or operational outcomes are at risk.

Project & Program Delivery

- Personally lead selected high-priority, complex or cross-functional projects and programs from initiation through implementation, transition and post-implementation review.
- Manage key client projects, including DRI programs, ensuring commitments, governance, stakeholder expectations, delivery milestones and outcomes are actively managed.
- Develop clear business cases, scopes, integrated plans, budgets, schedules, risk and issue registers, dependency maps and success measures.
- Coordinate internal teams, clients, vendors and delivery partners to secure timely decisions and maintain momentum.
- Ensure delivered solutions are operationally ready, sustainable and supported by appropriate ownership, controls, documentation and handover.

Technology Transformation

- Lead and support technology transformation initiatives that improve CDF’s customer experience, operating model, resilience, efficiency and organisational capability.
- Bridge business and technology stakeholders by translating strategic and operational needs into explicit delivery requirements, priorities and outcomes.
- Apply strong governance to technology-enabled change, including solution dependencies, data, cyber security, privacy, vendor delivery, testing, readiness and implementation risks.
- Partner with Technology, Product, Process Transformation and business teams to coordinate integrated delivery and adoption across people, process and technology.
- Provide informed challenge and assurance on delivery feasibility, sequencing, resourcing and readiness.

Change Management & Benefits Realisation

- Support the establishment of a practical change management framework that supports a high volume of change while remaining appropriate for CDF’s size and operating environment.
- Ensure stakeholder impact, communication, training, adoption, readiness and reinforcement activities are integrated into project plans.
- Define benefits, owners, baselines and measures at project initiation and track benefits through delivery and into business ownership.
- Build change capability across sponsors, project leads and business owners, promoting shared accountability for adoption and sustained outcomes.

Executive, Board & Client Reporting

- Prepare concise, accurate and decision-focused portfolio reports, dashboards, presentations and briefing papers for the Executive Leadership Team, Board and Committees.
- Create a clear narrative on progress, outcomes, risks, dependencies, financial position, benefits and decisions required.
- Establish reliable reporting standards and quality controls so project information is current, consistent and meaningful.
- Provide appropriate governance and status reporting to clients and partners for externally facing projects and programs.

Stakeholder, Vendor & Team Leadership

- Build trusted relationships with executives, business leaders, clients, project sponsors, delivery teams, vendors and strategic partners.
- Facilitate governance forums, planning sessions, workshops and project reviews that produce clear decisions, ownership and follow-through.
- Lead cross-functional teams through influence, clarity and accountability, including where resources do not report directly to the role.
- Manage delivery partners and vendors against agreed scope, milestones, service levels, commercial obligations and outcomes.




- Build CDF’s project and program delivery capability through coaching, practical guidance, tools, communities of practice and lessons learned.

Risk, Governance & Continuous Improvement

- Ensure projects comply with relevant legislation, regulatory obligations, CDF policies, risk frameworks and delegated authorities.
- Embed effective management of project, operational, technology, financial, compliance, vendor and change risks.
- Coordinate project assurance, health checks, post-implementation reviews and lessons learned, and ensure agreed actions are completed.
- Promote a culture of transparency, delivery accountability, constructive challenge and continuous improvement.

What You Bring

- Tertiary qualifications in Business, Commerce, Project Management, Information Technology or a related discipline.
- Significant experience leading a PMO, enterprise portfolio, major program or transformation function, ideally in financial services, technology or another regulated environment.
- Demonstrated success designing and embedding project delivery frameworks, portfolio governance, prioritisation, assurance and executive reporting.
- Proven experience leading complex technology transformations involving business process, platforms, data, integrations, vendors, operational readiness and organisational change.
- Strong hands-on project and program delivery experience across the full lifecycle, including business case, planning, delivery, implementation, transition, advantages realisation and post-implementation review.
- Experience managing client-facing projects and programs, with the ability to balance client commitments, internal capacity, commercial considerations, risk and delivery quality.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent initiatives, cross-functional dependencies, constrained resources and competing executive priorities.
- Strong governance, risk and financial management capability, including budgets, forecasts, investment decisions, vendor performance and delivery assurance.
- Highly developed analytical, problem-solving and business writing skills, with a strong focus on accuracy and the ability to simplify complex information.
- Exceptional communication, facilitation, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills with executives, Boards, clients, vendors and delivery teams.
- Demonstrated capability to lead through influence, build delivery maturity and coach sponsors, project leaders and cross-functional teams.
- Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and contemporary portfolio, project and reporting tools. Experience with Power BI, SharePoint, Teams, Smartsheet, Azure DevOps, Jira or similar platforms is desirable.
- Relevant project, program, portfolio or change management certification such as PMP, PRINCE2 or Agile desirable.

Why work for us?

- Generous salary package – that recognises your skills, experience, and contributions.
- Professional Environment – join a dedicated team of professionals committed to fostering an agile and inspiring work environment.
- Meaningful Work – be part of a values, driven organisation that makes a difference in the community.
- Hybrid Flexibility – we offer a hybrid working model (3 days in the office per week), plus a modern workspace in tranquil East Melbourne.

How to apply

If you’re looking for a role where you can make a real impact, we want to hear from you!

To submit an application, please click apply and provide a copy of your current resume and a cover letter.

Please note: We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis, if you believe this role might be for you, please apply as soon as possible.

Employment is subject to satisfactory background checks which include a National Police Check, Working with Children Check and Reference Checks. To be successful in this role you must hold valid working rights in Australia.

The Archdiocese is committed to the safety, wellbeing, and dignity of all children and vulnerable adults.

📌 Executive Manager - Project Management Office (East Melbourne)
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📍 East Melbourne