Chief Strategy Officer

Role Purpose
Lead the development, alignment and periodic refresh of the National Digital Masterplan and its strategic frameworks. Translate national priorities into evidence-based choices, coordinated sectoral plans and measurable outcomes, working across government, industry and PDA’s executive functions.

Key responsibilities

• Lead formulation and refresh of the National Digital Masterplan and coordinate the supporting sectoral and implementation plans through the applicable governance and approval process.
• Conduct strategic diagnostics and digital maturity assessments to identify capability gaps, dependencies and opportunities across sectors and institutions.
• Develop policy and investment options supported by economic analysis, delivery feasibility, public value and clear prioritisation criteria.
• Coordinate federal, provincial and local stakeholders, regulators and industry partners to align priorities, responsibilities and implementation commitments.
• Lead strategic foresight and research, assessing emerging technologies and economic trends and translating findings into practical recommendations.
• Define the strategic monitoring and evaluation framework, baselines and outcome measures; work with Delivery Excellence to distinguish implementation progress from realised impact.
• Build strategy and research capability, brief executive and governance forums, and recommend course corrections when evidence or national priorities change.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Economics, Business Administration, Technology Management, Engineering or a related discipline. A relevant master’s degree is preferred. Qualifications must meet PDA’s applicable recognition and equivalence requirements.
Essential experience

• At least 15 years of progressively responsible relevant professional experience in strategy, public policy, digital transformation or economic planning, including senior leadership responsibility.
• Evidence of developing and supporting implementation of national, sectoral or large organisational transformation strategies with measurable outcomes.
• Experience in economic or business-case analysis, strategic prioritisation and negotiation across complex institutional stakeholders.
• Demonstrated understanding of digital technologies and their implications for public services, institutions and economic development.

Desirable experience
Leadership of strategy and transformation engagements in consulting, professional services or technology advisory is desirable. Equivalent experience leading government reform, corporate transformation or specialist advisory programmes of comparable complexity will be equally considered. Cross-government planning and public-sector implementation experience are advantageous.
Key competencies
Strategic planning; public policy; economic analysis; foresight; prioritisation; monitoring and evaluation; institutional negotiation; executive communication.