Programme Manager PISA

Position overview

The Programme Manager is responsible for the implementation of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), a multi-million, multi-year, multi-country initiative. This role works with the Programme Director (PISA International Survey Deputy Director) to deliver a portfolio of interrelated projects and activity streams, ensuring alignment with internal governance, and contractual obligations with the OECD and participating countries.

The Programme Manager coordinates cross-functional teams, manages stakeholder relationships, and supports the Programme Director to ensure the programme delivers high-quality outcomes on time and within budget. 

The Programme Manager PISA based in Camberwell, will report to the Programme Director, working closely with the ACER finance team based in Melbourne.

Position context

The Australian Council for Educational Research is a national, independent, not-for-profit educational research and development organisation with a proud history of rigorous research, resource development, and research-based advice to governments and education authorities globally. 

Our mission is to create and promote research-based knowledge, products and services to improve learning across the lifespan. We pursue this mission through collaborative research projects; national, regional and global assessment programs; education system reviews and evaluation studies; and the provision of high-quality, evidence-informed professional resources for practitioners. 

ACER has approximately 460 staff working across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide with a strong global presence in Malaysia, UAE, UK and India.   

Job responsibilities

Programme Coordination & Change Management

• Deliver the planning and execution of all PISA-related projects across multiple countries. 
• Manage project interdependencies ensuing goal alignment
• Implement and monitor standardised change management processes across all stakeholders.

Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure transparent communication and collaboration across internal and external teams.

Resource & Financial Management

• Provide support for resource allocation across the programme, ensuring optimal use of over 50 staff, budget, and materials
• Maintain detailed schedules of current and planned staffing requirements of the project. Monitor staffing, reporting staff utilised against planned time. Proactively liaising with the Programme Director to adjust forward plans to ensure project staff remains within budget.
• Communicate with cross functional teams resourcing allocations and implement procedures for approval of variations to designated allocation.
• Develop task tracking and monitoring procedures. Provide regular and timely task completion reports. Develop, implement and report on contingencies, variances and their impact on the project.
• Forward plan budgets and cost associated with international meetings and implement plans in accordance with approved budgets.
• Collaborate with the finance team to monitor budgets, forecast expenditure and report variances escalating issues to the Programme Director as required. Under guidance of the finance team produce and report current and forecast financial position of the project.
• Ensure the raising of client invoices is timely and maintain a schedule of invoicing for the project.

Risk Management & Performance Monitoring

• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks across all project streams 
• Develop contingency plans and escalate risks as needed
• Contribute to performance metric development and continuous improvement strategies

Reporting and Governance

• Contribute to the preparation of reports for the PISA board, internal governance bodies and external stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with international standards and contractual obligations.

Organisational accountabilities

• Proactively work towards achieving individual, team and organisational objectives while demonstrating ACER’s leadership behaviours:
  • Developing Self – involves self-management, self-reflection and self-improvement
  • Embracing Change – being open to change and leading change when appropriate
  • Pursuing Excellence – ongoing search for new and better ways of working
  • Setting Directions – strategic thinking and planning for the future
  • Supporting Colleagues – supporting and contributing to the development of others
  • Working Collaboratively – building highly effective internal and external relationships
• Actively work to create an equitable, fair and harmonious work environment which is free from harassment, bullying and discrimination by demonstrating respectful and courteous behaviour towards others
• Proactively foster an inclusive and diverse work environment which encourages and respects different experiences and perspectives, and values diversity of thought 
• Comply with all occupational health and safety requirements, including following safe work practices for self and others and identifying, assessing, and mitigating psychosocial risks
• Comply with all information security requirements, including completing regular security training and abiding by the standards and procedures laid out in ACER’s Information Security Management System
• Work in accordance with ACER’s policies and procedures
   

Skills, knowledge and experience

Essential

• Proven experience in managing large scale programmes, preferably in education, government or international assessment contexts.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex high value budgets and projects (exceeding $10m) and cross-functional teams 
• Proven capability in designing and executing structured project management frameworks, including the development of comprehensive supporting documentation and the implementation of consistent reporting mechanisms.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• High-level analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data and translate insights into strategic actions.
• Expertise in risk management, resource planning, and performance evaluation.
• Experience in management of budgets, forecasting, scheduling and deliverables
• Experience of implementing quality assurance frameworks 

Desirable

• Strong understanding of PISA and its relevance to global education policy
• Management experience in supporting the delivery of large-scale educational programs in national, regional or global contexts
• Experience of collaborating in an international context

Education