Role can be based in Melbourne or Sydney.
McKinnon is seeking a Program Director, Public Sector. This position plays a critical leadership role in translating McKinnon’s strategic priorities into a high-impact portfolio of programs that will improve public administration in Australia.
Working closely with the Executive Director and across the leadership team, this role will shape the focus area's program strategy, overseeing delivery across multiple initiatives, and ensuring that our programs achieve measurable impact. The Program Director leads Program Managers and influences project teams across the organisation, to drive execution. A core element of the role is to develop and maintain strong engagement with key stakeholders across government and the policy ecosystem.
This role sits at the intersection of strategy and delivery — ensuring that McKinnon’s ideas are effectively operationalised into programs that influence reform, build capability, and deliver tangible outcomes.
The Public Sector work area of McKinnon covers a range of initiatives aimed at improving the quality of public administration in State and the Commonwealth governments, including in relation to policymaking, public sector productivity, fiscal sustainability and federalism. More initiatives could be added to the work area in the future, including those relating to public sector reform and capability.
What you’ll do Strategic Program Leadership
Contribute to shaping the overall Public Sector focus area strategy through insights gained from program delivery and stakeholder engagement
Translate strategic direction into a clear and prioritised portfolio of programs
Support the identification and prioritisation of key reform opportunities, balancing near‑term impact with longer‑term structural change.
Define program strategies, including articulating objectives, sequencing initiatives, and setting measurable milestones
Adapt program priorities and approaches in response to emerging opportunities, risks, and changes in the external environment
Program Delivery
Oversee and contribute to the end‑to‑end delivery of multiple programs, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and high standards of execution
Provide direction and guidance to Program Managers on program design, implementation, and evaluation
Ensure programs are appropriately scoped, resourced, and delivered on time and within budget
Review and assure the quality of key outputs including reports, strategy documents, Board papers, and stakeholder materials
Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management
Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across government, public service, and the policy ecosystem
Represent programs and the organisation in external forums, including workshops, roundtables, and stakeholder meetings
Identify and develop strategic partnerships that enhance program delivery and impact
Facilitate collaboration across internal and external stakeholders to drive program outcomes
Operational Management
Oversee operational planning and coordination across the portfolio, ensuring alignment of resources and priorities
Manage program budgets and financial performance, ensuring effective use of resources
Oversee external contractors, consultants, and delivery partners involved in program execution
Culture & Governance
Maintain awareness of compliance requirements and work in a manner that minimises exposure to reputational, regulatory, financial, operational, and commercial risks
Fulfil health and safety obligations and responsibilities to ensure McKinnon complies with regulations and maintains a safe workplace for all
Demonstrate McKinnon’s values and ensure they are embedded in all work activities and decision‑making processes
Foster an inclusive work environment where all colleagues feel valued, respected, and able to contribute their best work
Encourage a culture of continuous improvement, driving efficiencies and innovation
People Management
Lead and develop Program Managers and project teams, fostering a high‑performance and impact‑focused culture
Provide coaching, mentorship, and development opportunities to build capability across the team
What you’ll bring
Tertiary qualification in public policy, economics, public administration or a related discipline (or equivalent experience)
Demonstrated experience in a senior program leadership or director‑level role, with accountability for delivering complex, multi‑stream initiatives
Experience working on public sector policy, reform, or administration, or closely engaging with government stakeholders
Proven track record of translating strategy into effective programs that deliver tangible outcomesStrong strategic thinking with the ability to convert broad objectives into structured, executable programs
Advanced program and portfolio management capability across multiple concurrent initiatives
Highly developed stakeholder engagement and influencing skills in complex policy environments
Strong analytical capability, including the ability to interpret research and translate insights into action
Sound judgement and decision‑making in ambiguous and evolving contexts
Alignment with McKinnon’s values and purpose
McKinnon is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
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