Program Delivery Manager (Student Placement)

About IDP

IDP is the global leader in international education services, delivering global success to students, test takers and our partners, through trusted human relationships, digital technology and customer research. An Australian-listed company, we operate in more than 50 countries around the world.

Our team is comprised of over 7,000 people of various nationalities, ages and cultural backgrounds. Proudly customer-first, our expert people are powered by global technology. Together, we offer unmatched services, helping local dreams become realities, all over the world.

Learn more at www.careers.idp.com

Role purpose

Seeking a seasoned Program Delivery Manager to drive strategic delivery across our Student Placement portfolio. This is a high-impact role for a senior professional who thrives in complex environments and is passionate about creating value through program excellence.

As a Program Delivery Manager, you will play a crucial role in supporting the Heads of Product to ensure that governance processes are meticulously followed for their respective portfolios. You will be responsible for overseeing delivery outcomes within these portfolios and tracking the associated benefits.

This is a full time permanent opportunity based out of Melbourne. 

Strategic Planning, Governance and Program Delivery

Strategic Planning & Governance

• Partner with the Student Placement Steering Committee to align program priorities with commercial and strategic goals.
• Lead the Value Delivery Office (VDO) to ensure maximum value creation aligned with IDP’s business strategy.
• Develop and maintain program and project roadmaps, ensuring alignment across stakeholders and portfolios.
• Provide regular updates on delivery progress, risks, and benefits realization to senior leadership.

Program Delivery

• Oversee end-to-end delivery of strategic initiatives, ensuring scope, time, and quality targets are met.
• Resolve delivery challenges collaboratively and creatively.
• Manage dependencies and prioritization across multiple projects.
• Act as the escalation point for program-level issues and risks.
• Manage program budgets and resources, highlighting risks and changes.
• Ensure smooth transition of delivered solutions to business-as-usual operations.

Benefits tracking, Business Implementation and Collaboration

Benefits Tracking

• Define and monitor success metrics at both project and program levels.
• Ensure transparent reporting of ROI and business case outcomes.
• Implement processes to track adoption and benefits realization.

Business Implementation & Change Management

• Drive successful implementation of new solutions across internal and external teams.
• Champion adoption of tools and processes through tailored training and change management.
• Collaborate with the change team to measure and improve uptake.

Representation & Collaboration

• Represent IDP in internal and external forums, conferences, and communications.
• Champion program success and foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Contribute to global best practices through our PMO capability.

What you bring

• 10+ years’ experience in program, project delivery, or PMO ideally in large, matrixed organisations.
• Proven success across multiple project management methodologies.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Highly analytical, with the ability to use data to drive decisions and manage budgets.
• Effective communicator with cross-cultural awareness and a collaborative mindset.
• A bold, outcome-focused leader who thrives in dynamic environments.