At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic initiatives in Higher Education, driving operational excellence and investment performance.
- Company: Join Cisco, a leader in technology with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and opportunities for impactful work.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to influence key stakeholders and drive societal impact.
- Why this job: Make a difference in Higher Education while shaping the future of digital transformation.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in strategy or operations, with strong leadership and analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ 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.
In This Multifaceted Role, You Will
- 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 in Birmingham employer: Cisco Systems
Cisco is an exceptional employer that champions innovation and collaboration within the Higher Education sector. Our dynamic work culture fosters professional growth through mentorship and cross-functional teamwork, while our commitment to societal impact ensures that your contributions lead to meaningful change. Located in a vibrant tech hub, we offer competitive benefits and opportunities to engage with industry leaders, making Cisco a prime choice for those seeking a rewarding career in strategy and operations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategy, Operations and Investment Programme Lead - Higher Education in Birmingham
✨Dive Into Corporate Strategy Communities
Get yourself involved in online communities or forums focused on corporate strategy. Places like LinkedIn groups or specific Slack channels can hook you up with industry insights, trends, and many potential job leads. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts or ask questions; it’ll boost your visibility!
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Events
Keep an eye out for corporate strategy conferences or networking events in your area (or online!). These gatherings are gold mines for meeting hiring managers and making impactful connections. Plus, having a few good conversations can lead to job referrals at companies like Cisco Systems!
✨Showcase Your Strategy Skills
Create content that showcases your knowledge of corporate strategy—think reports, blogs, or even video discussions. Sharing these on platforms like LinkedIn or Medium can demonstrate your expertise and make you stand out to employers looking for fresh talent.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply for the Strategy, Operations and Investment Programme Lead - Higher Education position at Cisco Systems via our website! This shows your genuine interest, and who knows, you might just land that interview in a matter of days. Keep your application focused on how you can add value to their strategy team.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategy, Operations and Investment Programme Lead - Higher Education in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Strategic Thinking:When crafting your CV and cover letter, highlight your strategic analysis skills. Focus on past experiences where you've effectively assessed market trends or made impactful recommendations. Evidence-based achievements, like improving processes or contributing to significant projects, will help us see your potential for driving corporate strategy at Cisco Systems.
Tailor Your Narrative:Don’t just send us a generic application! Personalise your cover letter by connecting your experiences and aspirations to Cisco Systems’s mission and goals. We love seeing candidates who genuinely understand what we do; share how your vision aligns with ours and what you can bring to the table.
Highlight Relevant Academic Credentials:In your CV, make sure to showcase your academic background, especially if you have qualifications in business, economics, or analytics. We appreciate candidates who can back up their skills with relevant degrees or certifications, so don’t be shy about flaunting those achievements!
Utilise Professional Language:While we want you to be yourself, remember that corporate strategy roles demand a level of professionalism in communication. Use clear and concise language in your application materials, ensuring that your ideas come across as well-structured and sophisticated. It’s all about making a great impression right from the written application stage!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cisco Systems
✨Master the Numbers
Corporate strategy often involves data analysis and financial forecasting. Brush up on your quantitative skills, and be prepared to handle case studies or numerical problems during the interview. We might get questions about how to approach market trends or assess the performance of a hypothetical company — so practice these scenarios!
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarity with strategic frameworks like SWOT, PESTLE, or Porter’s Five Forces can set you apart. We should be ready to discuss how we’d apply these tools to real-world business situations — maybe even relating them to Cisco Systems. This shows we’re not just theory-happy but can articulate our practical application.
✨Engage in Strategic Conversations
In a full-time role like this, it’s crucial to show that we're engaged and informed about current trends in the industry. Keep up with major news and prepare to discuss how recent developments could impact strategic decisions at Cisco Systems. This will demonstrate our passion and proactive approach to the field.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Whether through internships or projects, we should highlight any experience that relates to corporate strategy. Have specific examples ready to talk about how we’ve contributed to strategic growth or improvements. It's about showcasing our unique journey and how it will bring value to Cisco Systems.
