Director - Growth

Who we are

UniServices is a wholly owned company of Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, that directly supports the University’s ambition to be a global powerhouse of innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship.

We achieve this through: 

• Growing Research: We help researchers turn innovative ideas into impactful outcomes by identifying new market opportunities, building partnerships with industry and government, and securing funding opportunities to support the translation of knowledge to impact. 
• Investing and Partnering: We manage the University of Auckland Inventors’ Fund, a $40 million pre-seed and seed investment fund that works to transform University research into high-growth global companies.  
• Commercialising and protecting ideas: We help researchers disclose and protect their ideas, start companies or license their technology. We help fledgling companies refine their business plans, access start-up capital and grow. 

Honoa te tangata ki te tangata, te tangata ki te taiao, te tangata ki te rangahau, rangahaua ki whai hua. 

(Linking people to people, people to the world around us, people to research, research that brings ideas to life).

Strategic Growth

The Business Development team drives growth and commercialisation of research at the University of Auckland, actively supporting the University’s ambition to be a global powerhouse of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship.

The Growth Team, a key part of the Business Development function, develops large-scale, future-focused initiatives to scale revenue and commercialisation in strategic priority areas. Through future focused visioning, market intelligence, and sector-based growth planning, the team builds a strong pipeline of high-impact opportunities aligned with emerging market needs, embracing calculated risks to drive growth and innovation.

This team collaborates closely with the University and the UniServices Partnerships Team and the UniServices Investment, to identify distinctive research areas with the greatest potential for funding and commercialisation. The team is responsible for the development and execution of strategic growth plans that align with the market, the refinement of value proposition to increase investment appeal, and strengthening the funding pipelines and securing multi-million-dollar projects that amplify the University’s research impact.

• Develop and execute ambitious, large-scale initiatives
• Drive research revenue growth and diversity funding sources
• Strong people leadership of the Growth Team

The opportunity

A fantastic opportunity to combine your strong people leader skills and your experience in strategic business development in this permanent fulltime Director – Growth role in Business Development at UniServices.  As the Growth leader, you will drive the development and execution of ambitious, large-scale initiatives to significantly scale revenue and commercialisation in strategic priority areas.  Your key priority will be to drive new research revenue growth and diversify funding sources to support the University’s research, innovation and commercialisation activities.  You will build and lead a team of high performers that exemplifies excellence, collaboration and innovation in every aspect of the Growth Team’s work. 

Key responsibilities:

• Develop and implement strategic growth plan in niche areas with high revenue potential that align with the University’s broader innovation and commercialisation goals.
• Build strong partnerships with key industries and government agencies, to leverage market insights to identify and advance research and commercialisation opportunities.
• Guide the team’s development of future-focused, ambitious growth plans to strengthen pipelines and secure multi-million-dollar opportunities in target areas.
• Lead the development of a robust team pipeline of ideas, opportunities and projects that align with market needs and have significant revenue potential.
• Delver externally funded research projects to achieve the collective annual revenue of $35-45 million pa.
• Foster a high-performing, collaborative team culture that empowers the team to excel and supports strategic execution, to ensure collaboration and integration across key stakeholders.

Your skills and experience:

• Master /PG Dip or equivalent sector experience.
• 10 – 15 years’ experience in international markets, with a deep understanding of global research and innovation ecosystems.
• Strong networks across key sectors that enable strategic partnerships that drive funding, collaboration and market expansion.
• Experience securing international funding, managing partnerships with government, industry stakeholders, and achieving revenue growth targets.
• Ability to use market insights and financial analysis to shape strategic priorities and optimise funding opportunities.
• Strong expertise in connecting academic research with industry needs, translating research into commercial outcomes.
• Skilled in navigating complex agreements, securing funding, and building strategic partnerships.
• Strong people management skills, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, continuous improvement, and professional growth of a team.

Only applicants with the right to work in New Zealand will be considered.

What we offer:

Great benefits, including 5 weeks annual leave, up to 6.75% company superannuation scheme, eye-testing & glasses subsidies, access to discounts on health insurance & gym memberships, and long-service recognition.  We provide a culturally diverse team and supportive workplace with a blended approach to office and home-based work.  We offer flexible working arrangements and are committed to your ongoing professional development.

PD Director Growth May 25 Strategic Growth.pdf

Please submit your application by 4 June 2025.

Honoa te tangata ki te tangata, te tangata ki te taiao, te tangata ki te rangahau, rangahaua ki whai hua.

(Linking people to people, people to the world around us, people to research, research that brings ideas to life.)