Design Studio Business Office Manager

About Us Lead. Grow. Transform. Ford Motor Company is constantly evolving and innovating. As part of the International Markets Group, we are committed to delivering smarter, more connected vehicles for our Global customers. Looking ahead, Ford is excited about the future. With an expanding vehicle lineup, growing digital services, and a strong dealer network, we are well-positioned to support Australian businesses in new ways. As Australia’s largest automotive OEM employer, we proudly have around 1,500 talented engineers, designers, and specialists working across five Victorian sites. Crucially, Australia is a key global development hub for Ford, and our local design and engineering team lead the creation of vehicles including the Ranger, Ranger Raptor, and Everest – models sold in around 180 markets worldwide. Why Ford? For a century, we've been a driving force across Australia, building a legacy that truly speaks for itself. Leading the way, the Ranger continues its reign as Australia's No. 1 Selling Vehicle and our iconic Mustang proudly holds its position as Australia's No. 1 Sports Car. These remarkable achievements are a testament to our unwavering commitment to innovation and a customer‑focused approach that has delivered success across our entire lineup, giving us so much to be excited about But we believe we do more than just build award‑winning vehicles—we build careers. Discounted lease car options. Multiple Employee Resource Groups – Ford Pride, Women of Ford and Ford Empowering Diverse Abilities. Flexible Work Arrangements. Growth and development opportunities via internal and external training. Paid parental leave from day 1. Comprehensive Employee Assist Program. Wellness Programs including Free Flu Vaccinations and Health Checks. Paid volunteer days. About The Role As the Design Studio Business Office Manager, you will lead the business management of the International Markets Group (IMG) Design Organisation. Reporting directly to the IMG Chief Engineer, you will be instrumental in enhancing Studio efficiency and the quality of our deliverables. In this critical role, you will manage a team overseeing program management, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and various other financial functions. You will be responsible for bringing cross‑functional teams together to align processes and communications, driving innovative and creative approaches to enhance the customer experience. The IMG Business Manager plays a vital role in ensuring our financial operations are efficient, effective, and compliant with all regulations. This position requires a deep understanding of financial management, business operations, and leadership, coupled with the ability to work collaboratively with senior leadership to achieve organisational goals. This role is based at our cutting‑edge Design Studio in Broadmeadows, operating on a hybrid schedule with four days in the office. Strategic Financial Management: Lead financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting for IMG Design Operations. Budget and Compliance: Develop and implement financial strategies, ensuring compliance with regulations and standards. Analyse financial data to provide insights and recommendations to senior management. Operational Leadership: Manage the day‑to‑day operations of the business office, overseeing program management and financial reporting. Resource and Cycle Plan Analysis: Conduct comprehensive analysis of IMG Design cycle plans and manage resources, including material and purchased services. Infrastructure Coordination: Coordinate maintenance and facility upgrades with Ford Land (Facilities Team) to ensure optimal working environments. Process and Communication Alignment: Drive cross‑functional collaboration, bringing teams together to align processes and communications that enhance efficiency and creativity. Experience: Minimum of 8 years of experience within the automotive industry, with a track record of delivering production programs through launch and verification milestones. Communication and Collaboration: Exceptional communication skills with a proven ability to foster cross‑functional collaboration and effectively influence senior stakeholders. Organisational Skills: Highly organised with the ability to work independently and with minimal supervision. Technical Proficiency: Proficient in standard company software (e.g., Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, Excel) and Internet/Web applications. Personal Attributes: A proactive, self‑motivated individual. Equal Opportunity Ford Australia is an inclusive employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process, please contact our Talent and Inclusion Lead Sarah at Applicants must be legally authorised to work in Australia. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. ---Applications will close on Sunday 11 January 2026, however, please do not delay your application as interviews will commence before this date--- Please note due to the high numbers of applications we will only be able to contact shortlisted candidates. *Ford Motor Company of Australia Pty Limited ACN (Ford) is collecting your personal information in order to consider you for a role at Ford. Ford may also collect personal information about you from third parties such as referees and recruitment agencies for this purpose. Ford may disclose your personal information to its related companies and third party service providers for purposes such as screening and background checks, aptitude testing and health and safety and human resources management activities. Ford’s privacy policy (available at states how you can seek to access or correct any personal information Ford holds about you, how to complain about a privacy breach by Ford and how Ford will deal with a privacy complaint. You can contact Ford at 13 FORD ) or via the contact details set out in Ford’s privacy policy. #J-18808-Ljbffr