At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic initiatives in Higher Education, driving digital acceleration and operational excellence.
- Company: Join Cisco, a leader in technology innovation with a focus on education.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and opportunities for impactful work.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities to influence key stakeholders and drive change.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in Higher Education while shaping the future of digital transformation.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in strategy or operations, with strong leadership and market insight.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Your Impact
We are seeking a strategic and operationally-minded Business Development Manager to drive the Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) strategy within the Higher Education sector. In this role, you will be the bridge between strategic vision and operational execution, ensuring our investments in Higher Education are aligned with market needs and Cisco’s long-term growth objectives. Your primary responsibility is to lead the CDA operational framework, manage the investment programme performance, and empower our sales teams to capture market share through tailored growth plans. You will act as a subject matter expert on the Higher Education landscape, ensuring that our investments deliver both societal impact and commercial success.
- Drive Operational Excellence: Establish and manage the governance framework for the Higher Education CDA programme, ensuring all projects are delivered efficiently, transparently, and in compliance with Cisco standards.
- Lead and Mentor: Provide leadership to a cross-functional team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Monitor Programme Performance: Implement robust tracking mechanisms to measure the success of CDA initiatives, reporting on KPIs, investment ROI, and strategic milestones to senior leadership.
- Market Intelligence: Maintain a deep understanding of the Higher Education market, including policy shifts, funding models, and digital transformation trends, ensuring Cisco’s positioning remains competitive and relevant.
- Investment Strategy: Oversee the investment programme lifecycle, from identifying high-impact opportunities to securing funding and monitoring execution.
- Sales Enablement: Collaborate closely with the sales organization to translate market insights into actionable growth plans, supporting the team in executing strategies that drive revenue and long-term customer partnerships.
- Stakeholder Management: Build and maintain relationships with key internal stakeholders and external partners to ensure alignment on strategic goals and resource allocation.
Minimum Qualifications
- Proven experience in leading strategic programmes or operational excellence functions, ideally within the technology or Higher Education sectors.
- Strong understanding of the Higher Education market landscape, including current challenges and opportunities for digital innovation.
- Experience in managing investment portfolios or large-scale project budgets with demonstrated track record of delivering measurable outcomes.
- Leadership experience with a focus on team development, coaching, and cross-functional influence.
- Ability to translate complex data and market trends into clear, actionable business strategies.
- Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence C-suite stakeholders and academic leadership.
- 8+ years of professional experience in strategy, operations, or business development roles.
Preferred Qualifications
- Deep knowledge of Cisco’s portfolio and how it addresses the specific needs of the Higher Education sector (e.g., campus connectivity, hybrid learning, cybersecurity).
- Experience in public-private partnerships or government-aligned digital acceleration programmes.
- Demonstrated ability to negotiate complex agreements and manage multi-year investment cycles.
- Strong analytical skills with proficiency in business reporting and performance management tools.
Strategy, Operations and Investment Programme Lead - Higher Education employer: 624 Cisco International Limited
Cisco is an exceptional employer that champions innovation and collaboration within the Higher Education sector. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we offer extensive professional development opportunities and foster a culture of mentorship and teamwork. Our strategic location allows us to engage directly with key stakeholders, ensuring that our initiatives not only drive commercial success but also create meaningful societal impact.
Contact Details:
624 Cisco International Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategy, Operations and Investment Programme Lead - Higher Education
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the Higher Education sector. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your knowledge of the Higher Education landscape. Share insights on current trends and challenges, and how you can help them navigate these waters. This will set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising your storytelling skills. Think of examples from your past experiences that showcase your leadership and operational excellence. Be ready to discuss how you've driven success in previous roles, especially in relation to investment strategies and sales enablement.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got some fantastic opportunities waiting for you. Plus, applying directly shows your enthusiasm and commitment to joining our team. Let’s make it happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Strategy, Operations and Investment Programme Lead - Higher Education
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the job description. Highlight your experience in strategy and operations, especially within the Higher Education sector. We want to see how your background aligns with our goals at StudySmarter!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the role and how you can drive our CDA strategy. Be sure to mention specific examples of your past successes that relate to the position.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves leading a cross-functional team, make sure to highlight your leadership experience. Share stories that demonstrate your ability to mentor and inspire others, as well as how you've fostered collaboration in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from us at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at 624 Cisco International Limited
✨Know Your Higher Education Landscape
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends and challenges in the Higher Education sector. Understand how digital transformation is impacting universities and what Cisco's role is in that space. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're the right fit for the job.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led cross-functional teams in the past. Highlight your ability to foster collaboration and accountability. Be ready to discuss how you’ve mentored others and driven operational excellence, as this role requires strong leadership capabilities.
✨Be Data-Driven
Since the role involves monitoring programme performance and investment strategies, come prepared with examples of how you've used data to drive decisions. Discuss specific KPIs you've tracked and how they influenced your strategies. This will show your analytical skills and your ability to translate complex data into actionable insights.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about your experience in building relationships with key stakeholders. Prepare to discuss how you've managed stakeholder expectations and aligned resources with strategic goals. This will be crucial in demonstrating your ability to navigate the complexities of the role and ensure successful project execution.
