Director, Global Programmes

About the Role

Sonic Healthcare is initiating a new senior global position: Director, Global Programmes. This role holds a group-wide responsibility to lead, guide, and ensure the success of major digital, data, and technology initiatives across the company. Reporting directly to the Chief Digital, Data and Information Officer, the Director will oversee the global programme portfolio, enhance programme delivery practices company-wide, and drive the successful planning, execution, and realization of the key strategic projects supporting diagnostic services.

This senior leadership role requires significant influence and trust, as the Director will advise delivery teams across Sonic's global operations, collaborating closely and respectfully with local business, clinical, and technology leaders to modernize global workflows.

Significance of the Role

With Sonic conducting approximately 129 million patient consultations annually, the accuracy, speed, and accessibility of diagnostic services hinge on robust digital platforms linking labs, clinicians, and patients. Delivering change seamlessly without affecting patient care is paramount. The role supports:

• Two main enterprise initiatives—the worldwide deployment of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations and implementation of Workday—both in initial phases.
• An opportunity to influence programme design, governance, and delivery methodology from inception.
• The challenge of effecting complex multinational change on time and budget, with minimal impact on clinical and lab operations.
• A need to advance programme delivery maturity within a federated corporate framework.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop, oversee, and advance the global programme delivery strategy, methodologies, standards, and governance; advocate for the comprehensive global portfolio at executive levels.
• Lead the group’s flagship global programmes—Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations and Workday—including establishing governance structures, delivery methods, and teams to ensure successful worldwide rollout.
• Enhance delivery capabilities across all markets by fostering a unified global community of practice focused on programme management, planning, and assurance at standardized levels.
• Steer the advancement of shared delivery competencies such as portfolio management, resource allocation, financial oversight, risk analysis, and benefits tracking across regions.
• Ensure programme benefits are realized in compliance with clinical, data privacy, and healthcare regulations relevant to each region.
• Provide executive governance for programme planning, reporting, and assurance, ensuring transparent risk and issue management and timely resolution of challenges.

Leadership Qualities and Fit

• Expertise in programme and portfolio delivery with the ability to actively engage in leadership.
• Strong emotional intelligence and skills to lead through persuasion rather than authority.
• Respect for professional expertise within decentralized operational models.
• An executive presence marked by confidence, humility, and pragmatic judgement.

Experience and Background

• Demonstrated success as a senior leader in programme delivery (such as Programme Director, Head of PMO, or Director of Portfolio/Programme Delivery) preferably within complex global organizations.
• At least 15 years of progressive experience in technology and programme delivery roles with comprehensive knowledge of large-scale programmes and portfolio governance.
• Hands-on experience implementing large enterprise platforms including ERP systems (such as Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations, SAP, or Oracle) and/or human capital management platforms (like Workday) across multiple countries.
• Familiarity with federated or decentralized organizational structures valued.
• Experience in healthcare or similarly regulated and data-sensitive sectors is appreciated but not mandatory.

Additional Information

• Location: Sydney, requiring relocation for candidates not currently based there.
• Travel: The role expects international travel commitments.