KNOWLEDGE MELBOURNE PROGRAM MANAGER 
SMART CITY OFFICE | CITY OF MELBOURNE

Driving the development of Melbourne’s knowledge and innovation capacity, culture, and reputation

As Program Manager for the Knowledge Melbourne team, I led the development and implementation of Council's "A Knowledge City Strategy 2014–2018" and other initiatives aligned with Smart City Office (SCO) and Council objectives. This included fostering collaboration between government, industry, and community stakeholders to position Melbourne as a global leader in knowledge and innovation.

My responsibilities encompassed annual planning, forecasting, budgeting, strategic decision-making, leadership and team development, program development and delivery, as well as reviewing and reporting to Council and Councillors, including Councillor Dr. Jackie Watts, Chair of the Knowledge City Portfolio.

Key initiatives I delivered included:

  • Melbourne Knowledge Week Festival: Expanding Melbourne’s premier knowledge and innovation festival.
  • Melbourne Conversations Program: Curating thought-provoking events and discussions.
  • Creative Technology Fellowship: Supporting advancements in creative and technological innovation.
  • Public Programming: Designing and delivering knowledge-driven events in partnership with industry, such as Raising the Bar Melbourne 2016.
  • Partnership Program: Securing funding, commercial, and in-kind partnerships.
  • Profiling and Digital Innovation: Leading marketing and communications efforts, including the use of augmented reality, virtual reality, apps, and data-driven strategies to elevate Melbourne’s Smart City profile.

As a member of the SCO leadership team, I contributed to the development and delivery of key policies, research, and actions, such as:

  • "Smart City Approach”: Shaping public programming, the Innovation District, and the Open Innovation and Research Program.
  • "Sharing Economy: Impacts and Implications Research Report”: Informing future policies to support Melbourne’s sharing economy while managing gig economy impacts.
  • "Melbourne Knowledge Week Growth Strategy 2014–2017”: Strategically positioning the festival as a premiere event.
  • "Startup Action Plan 2017–2021”: Advancing Melbourne’s innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Through these efforts, I contributed to Melbourne’s ongoing growth as a global knowledge and innovation hub, delivering tangible benefits for the city’s economy, culture, and community.

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