Director - Partnerships and Innovation

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 funded 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 Team

The Strategic Growth teams’ 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 Partnerships & Innovation Team, a key part of the Strategic Growth function, collaborates with the University of Auckland’s academic and research staff to identify, develop and scale research opportunities. This team works closely with government and industry partners to translate research into impactful outcomes, fostering connections between industry and academics, shaping a robust pipeline of ideas and opportunities, and aligning them with market needs and opportunities.  

• Drive research and innovation development in the sector
• Stakeholder engagement relationships in a university ecosystem
• Strong people leadership of the partnerships and innovation team

The opportunity

A fantastic opportunity to combine your strong people leader skills and your experience in the research and innovation space in this permanent fulltime Director role in Strategic Growth at UniServices.  As the strategic leader, you will drive the development and execution of sector-based growth plans, expanding the impact and reach of the University’s Research and Innovation Strategy.  Your primary focus 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 fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration and innovation in every aspect of Strategic Growth’s work. 

Key responsibilities:

• Develop and implement comprehensive strategic and sector-based growth plans that align with the University’s broader innovation and commercialisation goals.
• Strengthen the engagement with faculty and principal investigators, to align research priorities with strategic goals.
• Build strong partnerships with key industries and government agencies, to leverage market insights to identify and advance research and commercialisation opportunities.
• Drive diversification and growth of external funding streams through national and international partnerships.
• Lead the development of a pipeline of ideas, opportunities and projects that translates to new annual revenue of $35-45 million.
• Foster a high-performing, collaborative team culture that empowers the team to excel and supports excellence and innovation.

Your skills and experience:

• Master /PG Dip or equivalent sector experience.
• 10 – 15 years’ experience in research and innovation, with a deep knowledge of domestic and international ecosystems.
• Proven track record with the development and execution of large-scale growth strategies in a research, academic, or innovation-focused environment.
• Experience securing external funding, managing partnerships with government, industry, international 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 Partnerships and Innovation May 2025 Strategic Growth.pdf

Please submit your application by 18 May 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.)