Senior Manager, Innovation and Ecosystems, Business Banking

Job Description

Senior Manager, Innovation and Ecosystems, Business Banking | CommBank

The Tone:
This is a full-time role at CommBank, located in Australia. CommBank’s Business Banking division is dedicated to supporting Australian businesses with market-leading banking, lending, and growth solutions. Within this division, the Innovation & Ecosystems team spearheads the customer innovation agenda, recognizing that innovation is critical for customer growth, productivity, technology adoption, ecosystem engagement, and Australia’s future economic competitiveness. This role is fundamental to translating Business Banking’s innovation strategy into practical customer propositions, strategic partnerships, thought leadership, and measurable commercial outcomes. You will lead the execution of this agenda, strengthening CommBank’s standing as Australia’s leading bank for innovative businesses, and drive key flagship innovation platforms.

The TL;DR
• Role: Full Time
• Type: Full-time
• Location: In-person, Australia(Victoria, New South Wales)
• Team: Innovation & Ecosystems team, reporting to the General Manager, Industry Growth & Innovation
• Mission: Lead the execution of Business Banking’s innovation agenda, developing and delivering strategic initiatives to strengthen CommBank’s position as Australia’s leading bank for innovative businesses, and lead engagement with Australia’s innovation ecosystem while owning flagship innovation platforms.

What You’ll Actually Do
• Strategy: Lead the innovation strategy, delivery, and governance for CommBank’s Business Banking division, ensuring alignment with overall business objectives.
• Partnerships: Build and foster strategic partnerships across the broader innovation ecosystem, effectively representing CommBank externally.
• Programs: Drive flagship innovation programs, including the CommBank Business Innovation Awards and the Melbourne Institute & CommBank National Innovation Index partnership.
• Propositions: Develop compelling innovation-led customer propositions and identify new growth opportunities through comprehensive market, customer, and industry insights.
• Stakeholder Advice: Provide strategic advice to senior stakeholders and coordinate delivery efforts across multiple business functions.
• Trend Monitoring: Monitor emerging industry trends and effectively measure the customer, commercial, and strategic outcomes of innovation initiatives.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Experience at a senior level in strategy, management consulting, partnerships, or growth-focused roles within a complex organization. This includes the ability to translate customer, market, and research insights into growth opportunities, propositions, and business strategies.
• Experience: Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and build trusted relationships across customers, partners, and industry networks. Demonstrated experience leading strategic programs, partnerships, research initiatives, or market-facing activities.
• Skills: Strong commercial acumen, specifically the ability to turn insights into measurable outcomes and business impact. A deep understanding of innovation, AI, digital transformation, and emerging technologies. Excellent communication skills, enabling the simplification of complex issues and presentation of clear recommendations to executives. Also, a strong understanding of governance, risk, and compliance within a regulated environment.
• Bonus: A collaborative leader who builds trust, drives outcomes, and consistently role models CommBank’s values.