The Role

The Senior Transformation Program Lead will lead a complex  transformation program to establish a new business entity under the ownership of Black Dog Institute. 

This role is responsible for designing and delivering the program architecture required to support this transformation, including governance frameworks, operating model design, internal communications, transition planning, executive and Board engagement, and organisational readiness. 

As a senior program lead and trusted advisor, the role coordinates multiple workstreams across corporate, commercial, workforce, and delivery functions, providing clarity, structure, and momentum in a high‑ambiguity environment. It requires strong judgement, executive presence, and the ability to manage enterprise‑level risk and interdependencies. 

Duties & Responsibilities

1. Enterprise Transformation Program Management & Leadership 

• Design and lead an integrated enterprise transformation program to establish a new business entity, spanning governance, operating model, workforce, commercial, financial, systems, and delivery readiness. 

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive program plan incorporating interdependent workstreams, milestones, risks, dependencies, and decision gateways. 

• Establish and manage the program architecture, including roles, accountabilities, escalation pathways, decision rights, and controls. 

• Develop and manage transition and cutover plans aligned with Day 1 and early‑stage operational readiness requirements. 

• Implement robust monitoring and reporting across governance levels, including Executive Sponsor, ELT, Advisory Board, and BDI Board. 

• Monitor progress, identify risks and interdependencies, and proactively adjust planning to maintain delivery confidence. 

2. Operating Model & Transition Design 

• Lead the coordination of future‑state operating model design for NewCo, including roles, reporting structures, governance interfaces, and transitional arrangements. 

• Plan and manage transition and cutover activities to support Day 1 readiness and ensure continuity of critical services. 

• Coordinate business and workforce transition activities with People & Culture, including role mapping, consultation, and issue management. 

• Design and document inter‑entity operating, transaction, and shared service arrangements. 

• Ensure alignment between stand‑up activities, transition impacts, and ongoing business continuity. 

3. Governance, Risk & Decision Frameworks 

• Establish and maintain governance structures, program controls, and reporting mechanisms  and its relationship with Black Dog Institute. 

• Coordinate setup and ongoing management of the Advisory Board. 

• Lead coordination of legal and regulatory advice, including entity setup, IP arrangements, DOAs, and transitional agreements. 

• Develop high‑quality artefacts for executive and Board‑level decision‑making (business cases, options papers, risk assessments, stage‑gate documentation). 

• Maintain comprehensive risk, issue, and dependency registers. 

• Ensure program delivery aligns with BDI’s strategic objectives, values, risk appetite, and financial sustainability requirements. 

• Support establishment of scientific and expert advisory mechanisms as needed. 

4. Executive, Board & Stakeholder Engagement 

• Serve as a trusted program lead to senior executives, sponsors, and Board stakeholders. 

• Coordinate engagement across internal leaders, corporate functions, and external advisors. 

• Deliver structured communications to support change readiness and stakeholder confidence. 

• Support leaders navigating complexity, trade‑offs, and uncertainty. 

5. Change, Readiness & Dependency Management 

• Lead integrated management of risks, issues, and dependencies across the transformation program. 

• Assess impacts on people, culture, operations, and performance. 

• Support organisational readiness through structured change planning and engagement tools. 

• Align transition activities with BDI’s Change Management Continuous Improvement Centre (CIC). 

• Contribute to uplift in enterprise transformation capability. 

6. Work Health & Safety 

• Ensure compliance with WHS obligations and internal policies. 

• Contribute to a safe, supportive, and mentally healthy working environment aligned with BDI values. 

Note: This role description may evolve in line with organisational priorities and transformation needs.

Skills & Experience Required 

Essential 

• Tertiary qualifications in project management, business, strategy, or equivalent experience 

• 8+ years leading large‑scale, complex enterprise transformations (e.g., new entity establishment, operating model change, restructures) 

• Demonstrated experience delivering multi‑stream programs with significant ambiguity and executive exposure 

• Strong capability in governance, operating model design, transition planning, and executive‑level reporting 

• Proven ability to engage effectively with senior executives, Boards, and cross‑functional stakeholders 

• High level of judgement, strategic thinking, and problem‑solving in complex environments 

• Ability to manage sensitive matters with discretion and integrity 

• High proficiency in project and program management tools and reporting frameworks 

Desirable 

• Experience as a transformation consultant or program lead in public, health, research, or not‑for‑profit environments 

• Exposure to commercialisation, service delivery, or scaling mission‑led organisations 

• Experience supporting Board or advisory group establishment 

• Familiarity with change management, organisational design, and enterprise risk frameworks 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
We actively welcome applications from candidates of underrepresented backgrounds and recognise that not all candidates will have had equal opportunity to gain experience in the past. If you’re excited about this opportunity but feel you don’t meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply as your unique perspective and experiences matter.

How to Apply 
To become a part of the Black Dog Institute team, follow the link to our careers site on ELMO to submit your resume and cover letter. Please note that we do not ask candidates to share their identification until after attending an interview. 

Please note: All offers of employment are subject to background checks, which may include police checks, reference checks, and verification of qualifications, as relevant to the role’s requirements.