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 difference in Higher Education while shaping the future of digital transformation.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in strategy or operations, with strong leadership and communication 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 a 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
Cisco is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises innovation and collaboration within the Higher Education sector. Employees benefit from extensive professional development opportunities, a commitment to operational excellence, and the chance to make a meaningful impact through strategic investments that align with societal needs. Located in a vibrant tech hub, Cisco fosters an environment where creativity thrives, empowering its workforce to drive digital transformation and shape the future of education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategy, Operations and Investment Programme Lead - Higher Education in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the Higher Education sector, attend relevant events, and connect with industry leaders on LinkedIn. We can’t stress enough how valuable personal connections can be in landing that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Cisco’s current initiatives in Higher Education. Show us you’re not just familiar with the role but also passionate about how you can contribute to their CDA strategy. Tailor your responses to highlight your operational excellence experience!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your leadership skills! Whether it’s through examples of mentoring or leading cross-functional teams, we want to see how you’ve empowered others to achieve success. This is key for roles focused on team development.
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in being part of our mission in transforming Higher Education.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategy, Operations and Investment Programme Lead - Higher Education in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Strategy, Operations and Investment Programme Lead role. Highlight your understanding of the Higher Education landscape and how your background fits into Cisco’s vision.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:In your application, emphasise your leadership experience and how you've successfully mentored teams in the past. We want to see examples of how you've fostered collaboration and accountability, as these are key to driving operational excellence.
Demonstrate Market Knowledge:Illustrate your deep understanding of the Higher Education market by discussing current trends, challenges, and opportunities. This will show us that you’re not just a fit for the role, but also a strategic thinker who can contribute to our investment strategy.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it makes it easier for us to keep track of all the amazing candidates like you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cisco
✨Know Your Market Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the Higher Education landscape. Research current trends, challenges, and opportunities for digital innovation. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, especially in cross-functional teams. Think about times when you fostered collaboration or drove operational excellence. Be ready to discuss how you can mentor others and create a culture of continuous improvement.
✨Quantify Your Achievements
When discussing your past experiences, use specific metrics to demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s managing investment portfolios or delivering measurable outcomes, numbers speak volumes. This will help you stand out as a results-driven candidate.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Be prepared to talk about how you've built and maintained relationships with key stakeholders in previous roles. Highlight your communication skills and ability to influence decision-makers, especially in complex environments. This is crucial for aligning strategic goals and resource allocation.
