Manager, Continuous Improvement

About the team:

The Enterprise Strategy and Change Department coordinates the design and delivery of an enterprise strategic planning framework together with governance of the enterprise project portfolio, delivery of IT-enabled change projects, and the provision of an enterprise continuous improvement capability. Collectively these activities support the planning, prioritisation and delivery of change activity from across the RBA to achieve our Corporate Plan.

The RBA is now seeking a values-driven Continuous Improvement Manager with experience in driving productivity and efficiency outcomes across processes, systems, and people. The CI Manager work across the entire Bank from charter functions, over procurement, to IT. The successful candidate will join our Enterprise Strategy and Change team on a permanent basis and lead identification and execution of initiatives that enhance both operational excellence and employee experience.

About the role:

The Manager - Continuous Improvement plays a pivotal role in delivering the Bank's strategic objectives by building and embedding a sustainable, enterprise-wide continuous improvement (CI) capability. Working within the Enterprise Strategy and Change division, and reporting to the Senior Manager - Strategy & Continuous Improvement, this role acts as a strategic partner across the Bank, translating enterprise vision into actionable improvement systems that enhance operations, culture, and delivery.

This position leads a team of business and process analysts and works closely with the Manager - Strategic Planning to ensure CI initiatives are tightly aligned to strategic priorities, governance frameworks, and operational execution.

This position goes beyond facilitating isolated process improvements. It requires a seasoned change leader with both consulting rigour and institutional fluency, capable of embedding continuous improvement into the Bank's operating model. The successful candidate will be an enterprise capability builder, skilled in end-to-end systems thinking, service delivery architecture, and sustained value creation across a complex, regulated environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the Manager - Strategic Planning to align CI efforts with strategic planning, performance, and governance cycles.
• Lead the design, development, and implementation of the Bank's enterprise-wide continuous improvement framework.
• Translate enterprise strategy into actionable CI initiatives that drive measurable improvement in service delivery, operations, and culture.
• Facilitate and improve continuous improvement programs, e.g. Smarter, Simpler, Faster, and embed continuous improvement into enterprise performance, planning, and risk frameworks.
• Balance strategic leadership with hands-on delivery; actively contribute to shaping initiatives, facilitating workshops, producing high-quality outputs, and driving outcomes alongside the team.
• Build and manage a high-performing team of analysts to support process improvement, system optimisation, and stakeholder engagement.
• Develop and deliver capability uplift programs, toolkits, and training that embed CI practices across departments and levels.
• Facilitate structured improvement efforts using best practice continuous improvement frameworks and methodologies.
• Actively partner with senior leaders, business units, and enabling functions to co-create strategic initiatives that drive positive change.
• Coach and lead colleagues both inside and outside of formal responsibility.
• Define success metrics, monitor progress of initiatives, and report regularly to senior stakeholders including the Executive Committee and enterprise governance bodies, as required.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning, operational excellence, continuous improvement, innovation across the organisation, aligned with RBA's values of integrity, excellence, and inclusion.

About You:

Experience and Expertise

• 8 - 12+ years of experience in transformation, strategy execution, or CI roles in large, complex institutions.
• Proven track record of leading strategic and operational change at the enterprise level, in a regulated or institutionally complex setting.
• Demonstrated experience working within, or consulting to, the financial services industry or public sector.
• Strong consulting toolkit, with ideally a minimum of 3 years in a strategy or management consulting role at Senior Manager / Associate Director level (e.g. Big Four, Tier 1.5, MBB), or equivalent experience in leading enterprise CI, transformation, or operating model initiatives within a complex institutional setting.
• Demonstrable experience in leading or as core contributor to enterprise transformation, strategy development / strategic planning, target operating model, and performance improvement.
• Strategic thinking and ability to translate vision and strategy into action and demonstrable results.
• Strong communication and strategic storytelling skills, both written and verbal.
• Significant knowledge and practical experience in leading the application of continuous improvement frameworks and methodologies such as, but not limited to: Total Quality Management, Value Chain Management, Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, Agile, Human-Centred Design, and service blueprinting - especially in institutional contexts.
• Significant experience in project, risks and issues management.
• Understanding of financial services regulation, compliance, and institutional accountability environments (highly regarded).

Leadership and Engagement

• Demonstrated experience managing multidisciplinary teams, including direct leadership of analysts or improvement specialists.
• Demonstrated experience in change strategy and change management, including designing and leading strategic change initiatives, navigating complex stakeholder environments, and embedding sustained behavioural and cultural shifts alongside process improvement.
• Significant experience in building partnerships with and managing stakeholders across the enterprise and across all levels, in a values-led organisation.
• Ability to effectively influence and negotiate through both verbal and written communication.
• Experience leading, developing and motivating a work area or project of employees who exercise independence in their work.
• Strong workshop design and facilitation skills (e.g. co-design, service blueprinting, process mapping, capability uplift).
• Track record of building and embedding enterprise capability (systems, governance, tools, and culture).
• Demonstrated ability to own and communicate responsibilities in relation to health, safety and holistic wellbeing.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in Business, Public Administration, Economics, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Postgraduate qualifications (e.g. MBA) will be highly regarded.
• Relevant certifications in areas such as Lean Six Sigma, Human-Centred Design, Design Thinking, Agile (e.g. Scrum), or Program/Project Management (e.g. PRINCE2, MSP, PMI) are advantageous but not mandatory.

Why RBA?

The RBA pursues national economic policy objectives and undertakes a range of associated activities in financial markets and banking. It also issues Australia's banknotes and operates infrastructure critical to the payments system, all of which contributes to the welfare of the Australian people.

Our people have a critical role to play in achieving these objectives, whether directly or in a supporting capacity. As a values driven organisation, our people conduct themselves with a high degree of integrity, while striving for excellence in the work they perform and the outcomes they achieve. We encourage intelligent inquiry, we treat one another with respect, while promoting the public interest in our efforts.

The Reserve Bank of Australia is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage applications from experienced candidates seeking workplace flexibility.