Senior Manager, Strategic Initiatives

Southern Cross University; Sydney; On-site; AUD 147,000 - 166,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Southern Cross University is seeking a Senior Manager, Strategic Initiatives to lead high-impact programs that shape the University's future. You will collaborate with executive sponsors to design, develop and deliver new opportunities, services and ways of working across the institution.

You will influence senior leaders, manage complex change and build robust business cases, financial models and investment recommendations to support decision-making.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading enterprise-wide transformation programs or major strategic projects.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive cross-functional outcomes.
• Strong capability in financial analysis, business cases and risk assessment.
• Experience designing new services or operating models for complex organisations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage large-scale strategic initiatives from concept through design, implementation and transition to BAU.
• Explore new services and operating models to create long-term value for the University.
• Build compelling business cases, financial models and investment recommendations for executive decisions.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams, align stakeholders, resources and priorities to deliver outcomes.
• Lead organisational change, enabling new systems, services and ways of working.
• Identify and manage strategic, financial and delivery risks while sustaining momentum.
• Establish performance measures and evaluate benefits to ensure sustainable outcomes.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder influence

Business case development

Financial modelling

Change management

Project management

Agile methods

Human-centred design

Education

Postgraduate qualifications

Job description

• Lead high-impact strategic initiatives that will shape the University’s future
• Turn ambitious ideas into new services, operating models and meaningful outcomes
• Influence senior leaders and drive complex transformation across the University

Be Bold. Belong. Be More.

At Southern Cross University, we do things differently, and so can you.

A career with us is more than you might expect. Yes, it’s about the heart, connectedness and community you’d hope for in a regional university. But there’s also so much more. Our game changing Southern Cross Model brings a deeper, focused learning experience and our research is deeply connected to our regions, making a difference on a global scale. This is your chance to help us build something new and meaningful for our students, our communities and your career. To drive change, make a real impact, and thrive in a place as unique as you.

You can be good anywhere. Here, you can be great.

Your opportunity

Great strategy creates direction. Great execution creates change.

At Southern Cross University, we're looking for an accomplished strategic leader who can turn ambitious ideas into practical, sustainable outcomes that make a real difference.

As Senior Manager, Strategic Initiatives, you'll lead complex, high-impact initiatives that support the University's strategic priorities. Working directly with the Vice-President (Marketing, Communications and Strategy), you'll collaborate with executive sponsors and teams across the University to design, develop and deliver new opportunities, services and ways of working.

From exploring emerging disciplines and new delivery models to major organisational transformation and campus redevelopment, you'll be at the centre of initiatives that shape how the University evolves.

Each position will lead an assigned portfolio of strategic initiatives, providing the opportunity to apply your expertise, commercial judgement and leadership to complex and meaningful challenges.

In this role, you will:

• Lead major strategic initiatives from approved concept through design, implementation and transition into business-as-usual operations.
• Explore and develop new services, delivery models and operating approaches that create long-term value for the University.
• Build compelling business cases, financial models and investment recommendations to support executive decision-making.
• Bring together and influence cross-functional teams, aligning stakeholders, resources and priorities to achieve outcomes.
• Lead complex organisational change, supporting the successful introduction of new systems, services and ways of working.
• Identify and manage strategic, financial, operational and delivery risks while maintaining momentum and accountability.
• Establish clear performance measures, evaluate benefits and ensure initiatives deliver sustainable outcomes.

This is an opportunity to move beyond planning and make things happen, leading initiatives that will have a lasting impact on the University and the communities we serve.

What You Will Bring

You're an experienced transformation leader who thrives on complexity, brings people together and knows how to turn ideas into action.

You combine strategic thinking with commercial acumen and practical delivery experience, supported by relevant postgraduate qualifications or an equivalent combination of knowledge, training and experience.

You’ll also bring:

• Extensive experience leading complex, enterprise-wide initiatives, transformation programs or major strategic projects from concept through to implementation.
• Demonstrated success influencing senior stakeholders and leading cross-functional teams to deliver significant organisational outcomes.
• Strong commercial and analytical capability, including developing business cases, financial models, benefits measures and risk assessments.
• Experience designing new services, operating models or innovative solutions to complex organisational challenges.
• Advanced understanding of contemporary program, project, agile and human-centred design approaches.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills, with the confidence to advise senior executives and challenge constructively.

It’s not essential, but we’d love experience in management consulting or similarly complex transformation environments.

Above all you will bring curiosity, sound judgment and the drive to turn ambitious opportunities into lasting results.

Why Southern Cross University

SCU is proudly a regional university, young, small and vibrant. That means you’ll find more exposure, opportunity and ownership - to grow, achieve and build a career that means more. And you’ll do it alongside passionate people and leaders who go the extra mile to help you succeed. A career with us is about more than just work. It’s about place, community and the life you want to live. With three main campuses at the Gold Coast, Coffs Harbour and the Northern Rivers region of NSW, we’re integral to all these wonderful communities. Find your place and be more in this beautiful part of the world.

Your opportunity is:

• Full-time, continuing (permanent)
• Located at either Gold Coast, QLD 4225, or Lismore, NSW 2480. Relocation assistance is available, making it easier to join our regional communities
• HEW Level 10. The base salary ranges from $146,718 - $165,887, per annum, plus 17% employer’s contribution to superannuation. The total remuneration package is up to $194,087.79.

You will enjoy a range of perks designed to support your wellbeing, growth and work-life balance. For more information on our benefits and what it’s like to work at SCU, visit Why work at Southern Cross University?

If you're ready to lead change, turn strategy into action and deliver initiatives that make a lasting difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Be more with Southern Cross University today

Southern Cross University values potential as much as experience. If you do not meet all the listed requirements but are excited about the role and confident you can contribute, we encourage you to apply or reach out for more information.

Name: Lana Morgan, Senior Manager Talent Acquisition

Eligible applicants must have Australian or New Zealand citizenship, Australian permanent residency or current working rights in Australia for the entire duration of the appointment. Employer visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Applicants must apply online and attach a CV and cover letter. Information to support you prepare your application is available on our website.

Southern Cross University celebrates the rich diversity of our regions and international community. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that welcomes and values people of all backgrounds. We encourage applications from people of all genders, ethnicities, ages, languages, sexual orientations, and people with disabilities. We are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process to ensure every candidate can fully participate. For any support through the recruitment process reach out to [e-mail].