Research and development Manager

Lead programs. Align delivery. Turn strategy into outcomes.

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‑knit 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 programs (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.

Application Questions

Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in Australia?

How many years' experience do you have as a Research and Development Manager?

How many years' experience do you have in a software development role?

How many years of project management experience do you have?

Do you have experience leading agile teams?

Do you have multi‑drop delivery experience?

Do you have experience using SAP?

How many years' experience do you have in a quality assurance (QA) role?

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