Executive Director, Strategy

• Exciting Opportunity for an experienced Executive Director, Strategy and Transformation to join Swinburne University of Technology
• 5 year fixed term / full-time position at our vibrant Hawthorn campus
• Attractive Salary | 17% super | flexible/ hybrid options available

About the Role

We are seeking an exceptional Executive Director, Strategy & Transformation to lead and scale our strategic execution engine. This person will be the linchpin between strategic intent and operational reality — accountable for delivering value, building strong working relationships with the executive group, embedding new ways of working, and building internal transformation capacity. Reporting to the COO , this role operates with the C-suite level, influences across the business, and is instrumental to our success.

As a key member of the University's senior leadership team, and a trusted advisor to the Vice-Chancellor and Executive Team, you will lead the development and delivery of Swinburne's strategic direction. This is a unique opportunity to influence the University's trajectory at the highest level — ensuring we remain agile, future-focused, and positioned for success in a rapidly evolving landscape.

In this pivotal role, you will:

• Lead the Strategy & Transformation function, spanning Strategy & Foresight, Transformation Management office, and Strategic Project Delivery.
• Shape and implement enterprise-wide strategies that align vision with execution.
• Drive a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and strategic agility across the University.
• Define and evolve a multi-year transformation roadmap in partnership with executive leadership
• Build a Transformation Management office ensuring governance of major initiatives, optimal resource allocation and measurable outcomes.
• Champion transformational change that delivers lasting value for students, staff, partners, and the broader community.
• Own the full transformation portfolio: prioritisation, resource allocation, interdependencies, trade-offs.
• Lead or sponsor high-impact, cross-functional programs; intervene to unblock and drive execution.
• Define and monitor transformation KPIs (benefit delivery, variance, leakage, adoption, stakeholder satisfaction).
• Lead change management, stakeholder engagement, leadership coaching, adoption strategies.
• Build internal transformation capability: PMO, analytics, change, methods, maturity uplift.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop transformation talent and foster a high-performance, accountable team culture.

We are looking for a dynamic, forward-thinking leader who thrives in complex environments, inspires teams, and brings deep experience in enterprise transformation and strategy execution.

Join us and be the catalyst for Swinburne's next chapter — a future built on bold ideas, enduring impact, and meaningful change.

About You

To be suitable for this role you will need to have experience in the below key accountabilities: 

• Proven success as a senior leader of delivering complex programs, driving enterprise transformation, executing governance & stage-gate processes with experience influencing at Board or Executive level.
• 12+ years of experience, with 5+ years in leading large-scale, cross-functional transformations.
• dual domain experience — a mix of professional services (strategy, advisory, consulting) and industry / operational transformation
• Strategic & financial acumen — business-case modelling, scenario planning, forecasting, value estimation
• Establishing a Transformation Management office and the associated governance and transparent Management reporting tool sets
• Deep experience in change management, exceptional stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills, including experience working with boards, executives, government, and external partners.
• Executive presence & influence — capacity to engage, persuade, and drive alignment among senior leaders and Executive group
• Capability building orientation — experience developing transformation teams, methodologies, and institutionalizing change
• Proven ability to lead high-performing teams, foster innovation, and embed a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

Post graduate qualifications (MBA or equivalent) or a relevant combination of qualifications, training and significant experience.

About Swinburne University of Technology

Swinburne's strategy draws upon our understanding of future challenges. We choose to build Swinburne as the prototype of a new and different university – one that is truly of Technology, of Innovation and of Entrepreneurship. We are committed to a differentiated university proposition in education and research.

What We Offer You

• Work your way with flexible working arrangements, including hybrid options and generous parental leave to support a balanced lifestyle.
• Exclusive staff discounts, including discounted Medibank health insurance, 50% off Swinburne courses and other partner offers.
• Swinburne offers 17% super and salary packaging options, including car leasing and extra super contributions.

Want to learn more? Head over to our benefits page

To Apply

Please submit your CV and cover letter addressing the Key Selection Criteria and your suitability for this position.

To review the Position Description and to apply, please scroll down to the bottom of the page.

If you are viewing this advert from an external site, please click 'apply' and you will be redirected to Swinburne's Jobs website to access the Position Description at the bottom of the page.

Please Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children Check.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application, please contact the Swinburne Talent Acquisition Team on

Applications Close: Tuesday 28th October 2025 at 5pm.

Swinburne offers flexible working options contained in our leave and parenting/carer policies to support work-life balance.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Swinburne has become a world-class university, driving social and economic impacts through science, technology, and innovation. As a dual-sector university, our vision is for people and technology working together to build a better world.

Central to our vision is our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We pride ourselves on being an equal opportunity employer focused on attracting, retaining, and developing great talent. We work to remove barriers related to gender identity, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, and age.

We strongly encourage applicants from diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Our Moondani Toombadool Centre leads our Indigenous education and culture at Swinburne, guided by community wisdom and leadership.

We support applicants with disabilities. Adjustments can be requested at any time during the recruitment process. For Reasonable Adjustment requests, including accessible formats for the PD, application form or any other document, please contact or call

Please note the above number and DCR email address are for disability or reasonable adjustments queries only. General enquiries about the role can be sent to (general enquiries will not be answered by phone).

Victoria's Commitment to Action: Improving international student employment outcomes

As a signatory to Victoria's Commitment to Action, Swinburne seeks to remove barriers to international graduate employment. We welcome and encourage applications from international graduates.

As a Circle Back Initiative Employer, we commit to responding to every applicant.

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