Engagement Manager

Are you experienced at leading consulting engagements to develop strategy and improve business performance?

We’re currently hiring an Engagement Manager to join our Melbourne-based team. You’ll work within a boutique strategy firm delivering high-impact work across a diverse range of sectors in Australia.

SPP is a strategy consulting firm dedicated to enabling transformative, sustainable outcomes. We work on complex and meaningful challenges across education and research, government, consumer, financial services, and not-for-profits, driving impact for our clients and broader society. Our work is hypothesis-driven, commercially minded, and underpinned by rigorous analysis

About the role

As an Engagement Manager at SPP, you will lead consulting teams and work closely with clients to solve complex business problems. You will shape project approaches, guide delivery teams, and ensure high-quality outcomes that meet client needs.

You will act as the day-to-day senior contact for clients, managing relationships with key stakeholders, communicating clearly on progress, risks, and expectations, and proactively addressing challenges. Engagement Managers typically lead multiple project teams concurrently and are expected to contribute to the firm’s strategic direction, methodologies, and intellectual property.

You are also expected to act on opportunities to benefit the firm’s reputation, workforce, IP position, client base and financial position by:

• Taking leadership of developing effective project proposals and firm capability materials
• Identifying and growing further business development and project opportunities based on current work or professional networks
• Contributing to innovation across the business, demonstrating leadership in your area of expertise
• Leading the development of firm IP, including approaches, training materials and firm publications
• Introducing SPP to sales opportunities as they arise and as appropriate
• Supporting firm recruitment efforts through candidate identification and the interview process
• Contributing to workforce development by mentoring team members to extend their skills and responsibilities as appropriate, and providing constructive performance assessments
• Contributing to high team morale by staying engaged and participating in social events
• Sharing insights into industry trends and current events related to SPP target areas

What we’re looking for

• Proven success leading teams to deliver strong commercial outcomes and high client satisfaction
• Highly developed communication and leadership skills, with the ability to adapt style for different audiences and contexts
• Strong stakeholder management, including influencing, challenging constructively, and building trusted relationships at all levels
• Professional project and client management skills, including navigating complex or challenging situations
• Ability to manage competing priorities and tight deadlines while maintaining high-quality outputs
• Confidence in providing balanced, pragmatic, and well-reasoned advice
• Outstanding structured problem-solving skills, able to tackle complex issues creatively and methodically
• Advanced analytical and numerical capability, with strong commercial and business acumen
• Insight and experience in client and industry challenges within SPP’s focus sectors
• Adaptability and openness to new approaches, ideas, and ways of working
• Proactive, positive, and collaborative mindset, with a commitment to team success
• Genuine interest in developing and mentoring junior team members

Qualifications & Experience

• A Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field (e.g., Business, Commerce, Engineering, Arts, Law, Science)
• 5+ years’ experience as a managing consultant
• Demonstrated experience in hypothesis-driven problem solving and top-down thinking
• Strong analytical and communication skills, with the ability to work with data and clearly present insights
• Pragmatic, outcome-driven mindset and collaborative approach to teamwork
• Experience in, or consulting to, one or more of SPP’s focus sectors (Education and Research, Government, Consumer, Financial Services). Experience in Education and Research will be viewed favourably and will set you apart

Why Work With SPP?

• Diverse Sectors: Deliver major outcomes across education, research, government, consumer, financial services, and not-for-profit sectors.
• Collaborative Projects: Work with senior leaders to tackle varied and complex challenges across industries.
• Inclusive Culture: Join a supportive, talented team that values innovation, connection, and shared success. We believe diverse perspectives drive better outcomes and are committed to a supportive, inclusive environment where all team members can thrive.
• Structured development & mentorship: Receive hands-on coaching and regular feedback from senior team members, with exposure to complex client problems to support rapid skill growth.
• Real ownership & impact: Your work directly shapes client decisions and outcomes—you won’t be buried in large delivery teams.
• Excellence of output: We strive for deeply analytical, sophisticated problem-solving combined with empathy for the client situation—top-tier work that you’ll be proud to deliver.
• Working environment: Predominantly office-based (SPP offices or client sites), with focused work-from-home flexibility as needed. Flexible arrangements are available for individual circumstances.
• Competitive salary & benefits: Market-aligned remuneration and benefits that support your professional growth and wellbeing.

Our Commitment to Inclusion:

We embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our work and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.

How to apply:

Submit your resume and cover letter via the application form. Applicants must have unrestricted or long-term working rights in Australia.

More about SPP: www.spp.com.au

We endeavour to review all applications and notify applicants of the outcome. Thank you for your patience.