Investment Manager

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 technology. We help fledgling companies refine their business plans, access start-up capital and grow.

Investment Team

The Investment Team manages the commercialisation and investment activities at UniServices to transform research and ventures from staff and students at the University into high-growth global companies. We have supported the creation of over 45 new companies and licensed over 430 patent families. Our portfolio companies have secured over $500m of investment capital and to date we have realised five exits. We have transformed the way in which commercialisation is undertaken in New Zealand through the ‘Return on Science’ and ‘Momentum’ Investment Committees www.returnonscience.co.nz.  

As champions of the University of Auckland’s intellectual property, we rigorously support and test new ideas through specialist investment committees: ‘Return on Science’ and accelerate the spin-out of technologies and ideas to solve the most challenging problems in the world. We actively identify ground-breaking discoveries with commercial potential and work with researchers and students to help them bring their ideas to market. We invest through Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland Inventors’ Fund, a $40m, open, evergreen fund and provide ongoing support to our portfolio companies through access to networks, investors, expertise and resources, as well as follow-on capital. 

• Invest in University of Auckland startups
• Work with academics and students to start, validate, de-risk, and accelerate companies
• Permanent fulltime, Auckland

The opportunity

Due to an internal promotion, we have a great opportunity to bring a new Investment Manager to the UniServices Investment Team.  You will manage and grow a portfolio of investments in Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland Inventors Fund, under the direction of the Director.  You will work with researchers and students to start, validate, de-risk, and accelerate companies.  Your key focus will be to source new opportunities, conduct due diligence and support new and existing University of Auckland startups.

Key responsibilities:

• Promote commercialisation and entrepreneurship on campus with targeted outreach.
• Source investment opportunities from staff and students at the University.
• Conduct preliminary and full due diligence and build an investment thesis on initial and follow-on investment opportunities.
• Monitor, support, and manage relationships, opportunities, and risks.

Your skills and experience:

It is essential for you to hold:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• Experience in the IP, commercialisation, early stage investment (including venture capital) or R&D sectors.
• A high level of resilience, open to change and able to foster continuous improvement and innovation.
• Enthusiasm and a passion for learning, new technology and early stage technology start-ups.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen.
• Analytical and strategic mindset with an ability to execute.

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 Investment Manager May 2025 Investment.pdf

Please submit your application by 11 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.)