Head of Programs and Operations

As the Head of Programs and Operations, you will play a key role in driving the design, development, and delivery of programs within the Innovation Studio, aligned with Swinburne’s Innovation and Enterprise value creation strategy. Reporting directly to the Director of Commercial Innovation, you will be a vital member of the Innovation Studio leadership team, collaborating across the Innovation & Enterprise portfolio and engaging with the broader university community.

In this role, you will lead Swinburne’s efforts to transform student entrepreneurship, enhance staff participation in commercialisation pathways, and create seamless connections between IP management, commercialisation, and industry engagement. By delivering innovative programs, you will help drive value creation for our partners. Your responsibilities will also include managing and enhancing Swinburne’s existing programs, such as pre-accelerators, accelerators, masterclasses, venture cup, the IP commercialisation framework, and the portfolio of active licenses and spinouts.

You will lead a small, dynamic team, including direct oversight of the Events and Partnerships Coordinator, and work closely with key stakeholders like Swinburne’s Design Factory Melbourne, Swinburne Edge, and the Industry Engagement division to ensure the seamless integration of programs across the university. This is an exciting opportunity to shape Swinburne’s innovation agenda and make a lasting impact across our community.

**About You**

To be suitable for this role you will need to have experience in the below key accountabilities:

- Demonstrated high level interpersonal skills including the ability to build and maintain effective networks, develop collaborations and partnerships at senior levels with a diverse range of external partners.
- Demonstrated commercial acumen with expert knowledge and track record of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Australia or abroad
- Demonstrated excellent written and oral communication skills including the ability to prepare high quality business plans, proposals, presentations and reports - significant experience in marketing
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team, and to use initiative and problem-solving skills in order to organise and prioritise workload and provide practical solutions for problems
- Demonstrated ability to communicate, liaise and negotiate effectively and sensitively with senior university staff and industry to build productive relationships and facilitate mutually beneficial outcomes.

**Qualifications**
- Completion of a postgraduate tertiary qualification in technology/business management and/or a relevant technical discipline and extensive relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training.

**About Swinburne University of Technology**
Swinburne’s strategy draws upon our understanding of future challenges. We choose to build Swinburne as the prototype of a new and different university - one that is truly of Technology, of Innovation and of Entrepreneurship. We are committed to a differentiated university proposition in education and research.

**To Apply**
Please submit your CV and cover letter addressing your suitability for this position.

To review the Position Description and to apply, please scroll down to the bottom of the page.

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**Applications Close: Sunday February 9th at 11 PM**

Swinburne offers flexible working options contained in our leave and parenting/carer policies to support work-life balance.

**Diversity, Equity and Inclusion**
Swinburne has become a world-class university, driving social and economic impacts through science, technology, and innovation. As a dual-sector university, our vision is for people and technology working together to build a better world.

Central to our vision is our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We pride ourselves on being an equal opportunity employer focused on attracting, retaining, and developing great talent. We work to remove barriers related to gender identity, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, and age.

We strongly encourage applicants from diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Our Moondani Toombadool Centre leads our Indigenous education and culture at Swinburne, guided by community wisdom and leadership.

**Victoria’s Commitment to Action: Improving international student employment outcomes.**
- As a Circle Back Initiative Employer, we commit to responding to every applicant._