Title: Manager, Innovation, Strategy and Delivery
Manager, Innovation, Strategy & Delivery (VPS6) | 12‑month backfill
Fixed-term, Full-time | $138,631 – $185,297 + super | 121 Exhibition St, Melbourne + hybrid
Too often, good ideas stall in governance. Promising pilots never scale. Innovation becomes a slide deck rather than a delivery discipline. This role ensures that innovation is governed well, delivered well, and scaled where it matters.
About VIDA
The Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority (VIDA) is a specialist project delivery organisation, responsible for delivering the biggest transport and health infrastructure program in Victorian history. This includes more than 200 projects such as the Metro Tunnel, North East Link, West Gate Tunnel, removing level crossings, new and upgraded hospitals in Footscray, Frankston and Warrnambool, and specialist programs such as the early parenting centres expansion and upgrade program.
The unprecedented program of works brings together expert skillsets to deliver crucial health and major transport projects and ensure that operations are streamlined and efficient while delivering better outcomes for Victorians. Led by the Director-General, VIDA is comprised of the four project offices Major Road Projects Victoria, Level Crossing Removal Project, the Metro Tunnel Project, and the Victorian Health Building Authority.
Within VIDA Services, The Hive is VIDA’s improvement and innovation capability — helping teams solve complex problems, build innovation capability, pilot practical solutions (including emerging tech), and scale what works across programs for measurable impact.
About this Opportunity
The Manager, Innovation, Strategy and Delivery is a senior strategic leadership role providing enterprise-level oversight and delivery of innovation programs across VIDA. You’ll contribute to (and at times lead) strategic planning, enable capability uplift, design supportive frameworks and governance, and lead cross‑agency engagement that helps embed a culture of innovation.
You will:
• Design, implement and continuously improve enterprise innovation programs and capability initiatives.
• Strengthen innovation governance and alignment with whole‑of‑government and VIDA objectives.
• Provide high-level strategic advice on innovation systems, transformation approaches and change enablement; manage strategic risks within public sector governance/probity/financial frameworks.
• Lead complex, high‑visibility initiatives across multiple stakeholders and dependencies.
• Lead and support a small team of innovation and technical advisors; produce executive‑level briefings and communications.
About You
You’re a senior operator: strategic, credible, and delivery‑minded. Able to work across boundaries and turn ambiguity into forward motion.
You’ll bring:
• Experience leading innovation or transformation in complex, multi‑stakeholder environments.
• Proven ability to build frameworks/systems that uplift capability and deliver measurable value.
• Demonstrated, hands‑on experience using AI and emerging technologies in complex organisational environments.
• Strong analytical and advisory skills with confidence influencing senior leaders and partners.
• Leadership experience building high‑performing, collaborative teams.
Key Selection Criteria
1. Demonstrated experience in leading innovation or transformation initiatives in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
2. Proven ability to develop and implement strategic frameworks, systems, or initiatives that enable innovation capability uplift and value delivery.
3. Advanced conceptual and analytical skills, with a track record of providing authoritative advice to senior leaders and informing strategic decision-making.
4. Proven ability to manage high-value relationships and influence senior leaders, delivery partners, and external stakeholders.
5. Demonstrated leadership experience, including managing high-performing teams and fostering a collaborative, values-driven culture
What can we offer you?
• An emphasis on work / life balance
• High-performing team environment
• Equal opportunity employer
• Personal & professional development opportunities
• Committed to safety & wellbeing
• Training & development opportunities
Pre-Employment Checks
The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which include national police/qualification (where applicable) checks and misconduct screening.
How to Apply
Please include a CV and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) addressing the Key Selection Criteria. To help us assess your application, please use short headings aligned to the criteria and include concise examples outlining what you did, how you did it, and the outcome (where relevant). Please click here to view the position description.
For a confidential discussion, please contact Reza Mohammed, Hive Innovation Lead at reza.mohammed@vida.vic.gov.au.
Applications close 11:59 pm – Monday 6 April 2026.
