Strategy Manager, Portfolio Delivery

Acknowledgement of Country

CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View our vision towards reconciliation

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The opportunity

• Manage research investments to maximise impact and strategic alignment
• Develop evaluation and decision making frameworks to ensure transparency and accountability
• Support a cohesive, data-driven portfolio management approach
   

We are seeking a Strategy Manager, Portfolio Delivery to oversee the active management of CSIRO's research portfolio. This leadership role within our Strategy Team will lead the implementation of adaptive investment strategies to ensure that the portfolio maximises lasting impact and delivers triple bottom line benefits.

As the Strategy Manager, you will assess and adjust investment practices, maintain portfolio coherence, and respond to emerging strategic priorities. You will lead the development of systems and frameworks for evaluating research investments, ensuring transparency and compliance with governance and regulatory standards, and support the transition to an integrated decision-making approach.

Your responsibilities will also include mentoring team members, fostering an inclusive work culture, and collaborating with senior leadership to align research activities with organisational strategy.

Your duties will include:

• Actively managing CSIRO portfolio investments, leading adaptive design and implementation approaches of fit for purpose processes and systems, increasing with maturity as the portfolio evolves.
• Facilitating dynamic investment practices that are continually reviewed to enhance portfolio coherence and include the ability to pivot as required.
• Ongoing assessment and review of the portfolio and programs against CSIRO's enterprise and research objectives, including reviewing proposals, progress reports, rephase requests, finance reviews and final reports.
• Leading the development of systems, frameworks and evaluation practices to advance and adapt investment programs.
• Supporting the transition of CSIRO's research portfolio from multiple delivery vehicles and investment programs to an integrated investment and decision-making approach.
• Establishing transparent and accountable processes for proposal evaluations, financial reviews, and reporting, ensuring effective stewardship of public funds.
• Managing, mentoring, and developing team members and other staff by fostering a culture of inclusivity and psychological safety. Providing strategic advice and support on change and culture initiatives, helping teams navigate complex transitions while promoting a positive, empathetic work environment.
• Engaging with senior leadership to shape and influence strategic priorities across the organisation, ensuring that unit activities are effectively integrated into organisational strategy.

Location: Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra and Newcastle

Salary: AU$131k - AU$153k plus 15.4% superannuation

Tenure: Indefinite, Full-time

Reference: 99213

To be considered you will need:

• Relevant degree in conjunction with demonstrated achievement in senior advisory and managerial roles in a relevant domain area, ideally with postgraduate managerial qualifications.  
• Significant experience in successfully managing complex programs, that include multiple parallel and interdependent processes, including planning, engagement, monitoring, reporting and facilitation of effective governance, to meet or exceed specified outcomes and timeframes.
• Proven expertise in designing, implementing, and optimising systems and processes, using systems thinking and data-driven approaches to anticipate and resolve conflicts, and enhance organisational performance in complex, multi-process environments.
• A history of establishing and leading cooperative teams, and a record of leadership which encourages new ideas, builds trust and supports the development of emerging skills.
• A history of professional and respectful behaviours and attitudes aligned to CSIRO values in a complex working environment.
• Strong relationship management skills and the demonstrated ability to influence, advise and support internal and external clients and collaborators.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills, including experience working with science, commercial or engineering staff and a proven ability to collaborate with and influence people across all levels in an organisation.
• Flexibility in thinking, including the ability to anticipate, manage and develop appropriate solutions to complex problems, effectively manage and guide others through ambiguity and readily adapt to changing circumstances.
• A significant record of strategic thinking, innovation and creativity, with the ability to adapt and evolve processes and strategies by incorporating novel ideas and new approaches.
   

For full details about this role please review the Position Description

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to Australian/New Zealand Citizens and Australian Permanent Residents. Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

Flexible working arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. 

Diversity and inclusion

We are working hard to recruit people representing the diversity across our society, and ensure that all our people feel supported to do their best work and feel empowered to let their ideas flourish. 

About CSIRO

At CSIRO Australia's national science agency, we solve the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. We put the safety and wellbeing of our people above all else and earn trust everywhere because we only deal in facts. We collaborate widely and generously and deliver solutions with real impact. 

CSIRO is committed to values-based leadership to inspire performance and unlock the potential of our people.

Join us and start creating tomorrow today!

How to apply

Please apply on-line and provide a cover letter and CV that best demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the requirements of this role.

Applications close

9th April 2025, 11:00pm AEST