R&D Manager - Program & Delivery Lead
Sympac Solutions are seeking an experienced R&D Manager with strong program and delivery management expertise to lead our Research & Development function. This role is accountable for coordinating complex delivery programs, ensuring our product roadmap and architectural direction are executed predictably, transparently, and in alignment with business priorities.
This is a program-management leadership role, focused on planning, governance, and delivery outcomes — not hands‑on technical design.
About Us
At Sympac Solutions, we've been delivering innovative ERP and business software solutions to Australian businesses for over 30 years. Our products support customers across retail, trade, construction, electrical, and wholesale industries.
As part of Constellation Software through the Vela Software Group (Asia Pacific), we combine long‑term product thinking with the agility of a close‑knitted business.
Why Join Us?
• Lead end‑to‑end delivery programs across our product portfolio
• Provide delivery leadership for roadmap and architectural initiatives
• Directly manage the Solutions Architect, ensuring architectural work supports program goals
• Operate with clear executive visibility and accountability
• Enjoy a flexible, family‑friendly work environment
• Access professional development, bonus schemes, and internal career pathways
The Role
As R&D Manager, reporting to the Operations Excellence Manager, you will be responsible for the governance, coordination, and execution of R&D programs across development and QA teams.
You will ensure the product roadmap and architectural blueprint — defined in partnership with the Solutions Architect — are translated into cohesive delivery programs with clear priorities, sequencing, and measurable outcomes.
Rather than owning technical design, you will own delivery alignment, risk management, and stakeholder communication, ensuring architecture, development, QA, and client priorities move forward together.
Key Responsibilities
Program & Delivery Governance
Own delivery planning across BAU, non‑conformances, and strategic initiatives
Structure work into clearly governed delivery programs with defined milestones
Manage interdependencies, risks, and delivery trade‑offs
Ensure delivery progress is visible, measurable, and predictable
Provide program‑level leadership for execution of the product roadmap
Manage the Solutions Architect to ensure architectural work is prioritised and sequenced to support delivery objectives
Ensure architectural initiatives are integrated into delivery plans, not treated as standalone work
Balance short‑term delivery commitments with long‑term platform sustainability
Resource & Capacity Management
Coordinate capacity across development and QA to support agreed priorities
Resolve delivery conflicts and resource constraints
Establish sustainable delivery rhythms and planning discipline
Lead and support team leaders and senior roles through clear expectations and regular 1:1s
Support onboarding and effective integration of new team members
Foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement
Quality, Release & Risk Oversight
Ensure QA is embedded into delivery planning and release governance
Monitor quality trends, release readiness, and defect risk
Support automation and efficiency initiatives from a program‑outcomes perspective
Reporting & Stakeholder Communication
Own preparation and delivery of Quarterly Status Reports (QSRs)
Provide leadership and executives with clear, actionable insights on delivery health, risks, and capacity
Act as the primary escalation point for R&D delivery and program risks
Skills & Experience
Australian work authorisation required for this position.
Strong experience in program, delivery, or portfolio management within a software development environment
Minimum 5-7 years of program and delivery management experience required
Proven ability to coordinate multiple workstreams and competing priorities
Experience managing senior technical roles (e.g. Solutions Architects) from a delivery and outcomes perspective
Experience managing 5 or more direct reports required
Excellent stakeholder communication, planning, and reporting skills
Strong working knowledge of Jira or similar delivery governance tools
Experience in ERP or complex business‑critical software environments
Exposure to platform modernisation or technical debt reduction programmes (at a governance level)
Experience embedding QA and release governance into delivery frameworks
What We’re Looking For
You are a delivery‑first leader who brings structure and clarity to complex environments. You focus on outcomes over outputs, enabling technical leaders to do their best work while ensuring the organisation delivers on its commitments.
Make the Move
If you’re ready to lead delivery programs, align architecture with outcomes, and drive predictable execution, apply now and join Sympac Solutions.
Location: Drouin, West Gippsland & Latrobe Valley VIC
#J-18808-Ljbffr