Meet Giri Shanker, Manager, at Sydney CBD Campus
We are pleased to introduce Giri Shanker, Manager of the Sydney CBD Campus. Since joining UOW in February 2026, Giri is playing a key role in shaping the future of the campus through strategic planning, operational leadership, and stakeholder engagement.
Tell us about yourself
I'm Giri Shanker, and I've been part of the UOW community since February 2026 as Manager, Sydney CBD Campus, a project-focused role at the heart of transforming UOW's presence in the city. My career has been wonderfully varied, spanning training, academic, and operational leadership roles across Singapore, Southeast Asia, and Australia. Most recently, I worked as an Operational Manager at Navitas, overseeing 15 sites across NSW, ACT, and Victoria, leading more than 30 staff members. I bring a broad range of experience across different sectors, cultures, and communities, and my recent MBA has helped me bring those experiences together with a stronger strategic focus.
What are some of the key responsibilities in your role, and what do you enjoy most about your work?
My role focuses on strategy, operations, and leadership at the Sydney CBD Campus. I lead initiatives that support campus growth, strengthen industry partnerships, and enhance the student experience while ensuring our campus aligns with UOW’s broader vision.
What I enjoy most is working with people - whether collaborating with staff to improve services or building partnerships that create valuable opportunities for students.
Are there any new initiatives, projects, or activities that you are particularly excited about for the upcoming trimesters at Sydney CBD Campus?
One of our key priorities is strengthening the Sydney CBD Campus community and helping students feel connected to the wider UOW network. Through SSAF-funded initiatives and student support programs, we are creating more opportunities for engagement, connection, and belonging. We are also exploring partnerships with industry to create valuable opportunities for our students.
What are the key advantages of working at the Sydney CBD Campus compared to other environments?
The Sydney CBD location is one of our greatest advantages. Being at the centre of Sydney provides direct access to professional networks, industry partners, government organisations, and cultural institutions. There is also a unique energy that comes from working in the CBD. Being surrounded by professionals, innovation, and opportunities creates an environment that encourages growth, collaboration, and continuous learning.
How do you collaborate with different teams, stakeholders, and departments to successfully deliver projects?
I believe successful collaboration is built on authenticity and trust. My first priority when working with stakeholders is understanding what success looks like from their perspective. This helps create stronger relationships and more productive conversations.
I also invest time in understanding who will be affected by change, who holds influence, and who needs to be involved early in the process. In my experience, many challenges can be avoided by ensuring stakeholder priorities and values are understood from the beginning.
How do you prioritise tasks when managing personal and professional commitments with competing deadlines?
I start by maintaining a clear vision of my personal and professional goals. This helps me focus on what is truly important rather than simply reacting to what feels urgent.
I often use Stephen Covey's four-quadrant framework to prioritise tasks based on urgency and importance. The biggest challenge is protecting time for important but non-urgent work, such as strategic planning, relationship building, and personal development. Having a clear long-term vision makes decision-making and prioritisation much easier.
What project management tools and methodologies do you typically use in your work?
Throughout my career, I have worked with a range of project management tools, including , , , and Microsoft Project. Today, I primarily use , , and due to their strong integration and ease of collaboration within UOW.
From a methodology perspective, I prefer an Agile approach. I believe in delivering a minimum viable product, learning from feedback, and continuously improving through iteration.
Finally, what advice would you give to students or early-career professionals interested in project management?
Project management is best learned through experience. I encourage students to take on leadership opportunities through student organisations, community projects, or workplace initiatives to build practical skills. While technical knowledge is important, successful project managers are defined by their ability to communicate effectively, manage relationships, solve problems, and build trust. Stay curious, be authentic, and view every experience as a learning opportunity.