📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Manager Strategy & Growth (Growth)
🔹 Company: Serco
🔹 Location: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Defence
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-16
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading go-to-market activities and managing end-to-end proposal development to secure contracts in the Defence sector.
- Collaborating with internal teams and industry stakeholders to craft high-quality bids that align with Serco’s purpose.
- Driving new and retained business through market strategies and coordinating proposal submissions.
- Building strong relationships with clients and industry stakeholders to champion innovation and continuous improvement in bidding processes.
- Ensuring compliance with governance and ethical standards.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead market strategies that drive new and retained business.
✅ Coordinate proposal submissions and shape winning bids.
✅ Collaborate with internal teams to align solutions with customer needs.
✅ Build strong relationships with clients and industry stakeholders.
✅ Champion innovation and continuous improvement in bidding processes.
✅ Ensure compliance with governance and ethical standards.
ASSUMPTION: The role involves a mix of strategic planning, stakeholder management, and operational execution.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Relevant tertiary qualifications; post-graduate studies desirable.
Experience: Minimum 10 years' experience leading teams in Defence or complex corporate environments.
Required Skills:
- Proven success winning contracts in Public Sector and/or Defence markets.
- Ability to cultivate client relationships and manage high-level negotiations.
- Experience in strategic planning, design thinking, and innovation leadership.
- Strong commercial acumen and financial insight.
- Defence security clearance (NV1 or ability to obtain).
- Leadership skills that foster psychological safety, inclusiveness, and a culture of innovation, resilience, and strategic vision.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in the Defence sector.
- Knowledge of Serco's services and capabilities.
ASSUMPTION: Given the role's focus on Defence and proposal management, candidates with relevant industry experience and a strong track record in winning contracts will be highly competitive.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: AUD 150,000 - 180,000 per annum (Estimated based on industry standards for a senior management role in Defence and Serco's size)
Benefits:
- Competitive salary and annual performance reviews
- Flexible work arrangements to support work-life balance
- Opportunities for career progression in a global organisation
- Access to Serco's Employee Networks and wellbeing programs
- Professional development and ongoing training
- Supportive culture with trusted leadership and inclusive values
- Long-term government-backed contract in Defence
Working Hours: Full-time, with flexibility for remote work as needed
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on industry standards for similar roles in Defence and Serco's size. Actual compensation may vary based on individual qualifications and experience.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Serco operates in the defence and public services sectors, providing a range of services including defence, health, transport, and justice.
Company Size: Serco is a large organisation with over 10,000 employees across Asia Pacific (APAC), offering opportunities for career progression and growth.
Founded: Serco was founded in 1929 and has since grown into a global company operating in over 30 countries.
Company Description:
- Serco is a global service company that improves the quality of everyday life for millions of people around the world.
- The company focuses on serving governments and other public sector organisations, offering a wide range of services that touch the lives of millions in Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong.
- Serco offers unique opportunities to leverage skills across its core capabilities in Health, Defence, Maritime, Justice, Immigration, and Community Services.
Company Specialties:
- Defence
- Health
- Transport
- Justice
- Immigration
- Community Services
Company Website: serco.com
ASSUMPTION: Serco's size and global presence offer opportunities for career growth and development, while its focus on public sector services provides a stable and impactful work environment.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is a senior management position, reporting directly to the Business Unit Director.
Reporting Structure: The Growth and Proposal Manager will report to the Business Unit Director and work closely with internal teams, including business development, operations, and finance.
Work Arrangement: The role is primarily on-site, with flexibility for remote work as needed. The successful candidate will be expected to travel occasionally for client meetings and industry events.
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a more senior role within Serco's Defence business unit or other business units.
- Expansion of responsibilities to include additional markets or service lines.
- Development of leadership and management skills through mentoring and coaching opportunities.
ASSUMPTION: Given Serco's size and global presence, there are significant opportunities for career growth and development within the organisation.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Serco's Sydney office is a modern, collaborative workspace with a mix of open-plan and private offices.
Office Location(s): Serco's Sydney office is located in the central business district, close to public transport and amenities.
Geographic Context:
- Sydney is the largest city in Australia, offering a diverse range of cultural, recreational, and entertainment options.
- The city has a subtropical climate, with mild winters and warm summers.
- Sydney's defence industry is a significant contributor to the local economy, with numerous defence primes and SMEs based in the city.
Work Schedule: The role follows a standard full-time work schedule, with flexibility for remote work as needed. Occasional travel may be required for client meetings and industry events.
ASSUMPTION: The Sydney office provides a modern and collaborative work environment, with easy access to public transport and amenities. The city offers a high quality of life and numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video screening
- Face-to-face interview with the hiring manager and other stakeholders
- Final interview with the Business Unit Director
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving
- Communication and stakeholder management skills
- Leadership and team management capabilities
- Commercial acumen and financial insight
- Cultural fit and alignment with Serco's values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience in Defence and proposal management.
- Prepare examples of your success in winning contracts and driving business growth.
- Demonstrate your understanding of Serco's services and capabilities in your cover letter.
- Be prepared to discuss your approach to strategic planning, innovation, and continuous improvement.
ATS Keywords: Defence, Proposal Management, Strategic Planning, Business Development, Client Relationship Management, Negotiation, Leadership, Team Management, Governance Compliance, Risk Mitigation, Market Strategy, Continuous Improvement, Design Thinking, Defence Security Clearance
ASSUMPTION: Serco's interview process is designed to assess candidates' strategic thinking, communication skills, and cultural fit. Preparation and research are key to success in the interview process.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Defence-specific proposal software (e.g., Proposal Manager, ProposalPoint)
- Project management tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, Asana, Trello)
- Defence industry databases and market intelligence platforms
ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will be expected to have proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and relevant proposal management software. Familiarity with defence industry databases and market intelligence platforms will be an advantage.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer-focused
- Innovative
- Trustworthy
- Resilient
- One team
Work Style:
- Collaborative
- Adaptable
- Results-driven
- Strategic
- Inclusive
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you demonstrate Serco's value of being customer-focused in your work?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt to a significant change in your work environment, and how did you approach it?
- How do you foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement in your teams?
ASSUMPTION: Serco values candidates who align with its customer-focused, innovative, and collaborative culture. Demonstrating a strong fit with these values will be crucial for success in the role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The role requires managing multiple stakeholders and balancing competing priorities.
- Occasional travel may be required for client meetings and industry events.
- The Defence sector can be highly competitive, with long sales cycles and complex tender processes.
- The role may involve working on confidential or sensitive information, requiring a high level of discretion and integrity.
ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will be able to manage multiple priorities, navigate complex stakeholder environments, and maintain a high level of discretion and integrity.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Business Development Manager or Proposal Manager in the Defence sector, but with a stronger focus on strategic leadership and growth.
- Unlike some other Defence roles, this position requires a balance of strategic thinking, stakeholder management, and operational execution.
- Career progression in this role could lead to more senior management or executive positions within Serco or other defence organisations.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should consider how their experience and skills align with the strategic leadership requirements of this role, as well as the unique aspects of working in the Defence sector.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a go-to-market strategy for a new defence service offering.
- Managing a complex tender process for a major defence contract, involving multiple stakeholders and a high volume of documentation.
- Implementing a continuous improvement program for Serco's proposal development process, resulting in improved win rates and reduced submission times.
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, stakeholder management, and operational aspects of the role, as well as the opportunity for innovation and continuous improvement.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the current market landscape for defence services, and how this role will contribute to Serco's growth in this area?
- How does this role fit into Serco's overall defence strategy, and what are the key priorities for the first 100 days in the role?
- Can you provide an example of a successful growth initiative led by a previous incumbent in this role, and what lessons can be learned from that experience?
- How does Serco support the professional development and career growth of its employees, particularly in the Defence business unit?
- What is the expected balance between strategic leadership and operational execution in this role, and how will performance be measured?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to assess the strategic context of the role, the opportunities for growth and development, and the expectations for performance and career progression.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume to highlight your relevant experience in Defence and proposal management.
- Prepare examples of your success in winning contracts and driving business growth.
- Demonstrate your understanding of Serco's services and capabilities in your cover letter.
- Follow up with the hiring manager within one week of submission to confirm receipt of your application.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
