Strategy, Operations and Investment Programme Lead – Higher Education

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.

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