Senior Manager, Strategy Development

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

Job summary

Southern Cross University seeks an accomplished strategic leader to shape its future. As Senior Manager, Strategy Development, you will translate institutional ambition into clear priorities and measurable outcomes, partnering with executive leadership to influence strategy, planning and performance.

You will drive the 2028 strategy refresh, bring evidence-based insights, and build capability across the University to turn strategy into action, ensuring accountability and sustainable impact.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in enterprise strategy development.
• Ability to translate ambition into measurable outcomes.
• Strong capability in KPI design, dashboards and governance reporting.
• Comfort working with senior executives, boards or councils.

Responsibilities

• Lead the University's strategic planning cycle and ensure priorities translate into objectives, plans and measures.
• Drive the 2028 strategy refresh with analysis, consultation and executive engagement.
• Strengthen enterprise planning and connect priorities across faculties and portfolios.
• Shape executive strategy discussions and provide evidence-based guidance to leadership and Council.
• Lead development of integrated reporting and performance reviews for strategic progress.
• Build strategic planning capability across the University to translate strategy into action.

Skills

Enterprise strategy

Executive engagement

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder influence

Analytics & reporting

Leadership experience

Education

Postgraduate qualifications in strategy/management

Job description

• Shape the University’s strategic direction and lead its next major strategy refresh
• Influence enterprise priorities, planning and performance at the highest levels
• Partner with senior leaders to turn ambition into a clear measurable strategic direction

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

What does it take to shape the future of a university?

At Southern Cross University, we're looking for an accomplished strategic leader who can bring clarity to complexity, challenge conventional thinking and help translate institutional ambition into meaningful priorities and measurable outcomes.

As Senior Manager, Strategy Development, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping how the University develops, delivers and measures its strategy. Working directly with the Vice-President (Marketing, Communications and Strategy), you'll partner with the University's executive leadership to influence strategic direction, strengthen enterprise planning and build a connected approach to performance and accountability.

A key focus will be leading the University's 2028 strategy refresh, bringing together evidence, insights and diverse perspectives to shape our next chapter.

In this influential role, you will:

• Lead the University's strategic planning cycle, ensuring institutional priorities translate into clear objectives, plans and performance measures.
• Drive the 2028 University strategy refresh, including strategic analysis, consultation, planning and executive engagement.
• Strengthen enterprise planning and performance frameworks, connecting University priorities with faculty, portfolio and team objectives.
• Shape executive strategy discussions and provide insightful, evidence-based advice to support decisions by senior leadership and Council.
• Lead the development of integrated reporting, dashboards and performance reviews that provide meaningful insights into strategic progress.
• Build strategic planning capability across the University, supporting leaders to translate strategy into action.

This is an opportunity to influence the direction of an ambitious university and help create the frameworks, conversations and decisions that will shape its future.

What you will bring

You're a strategic thinker who sees the bigger picture but understands that successful strategy requires clarity, engagement and accountability.

You bring extensive experience in enterprise strategy, corporate planning or performance management within a large, complex organisation, supported by relevant postgraduate qualifications or an equivalent combination of knowledge, training and experience.

You’ll also bring:

• A demonstrated ability to lead enterprise strategy development, planning and performance frameworks.
• Strong analytical and conceptual thinking, with the ability to translate complex information into clear strategic advice and executive recommendations.
• Experience developing objectives, KPIs, dashboards and governance reporting that support organisational decision-making.
• Confidence working with senior executives, boards or governing bodies, influencing priorities and navigating competing perspectives.
• Exceptional communication, facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build commitment across diverse groups.
• A collaborative and forward-thinking approach, with the ability to challenge constructively and support organisational change.
• Above all, you'll be motivated by the opportunity to shape the future of an organisation that is committed to doing things differently.

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

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?

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

Email: ****@scu.edu.au

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.

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 ****@scu.edu.au.