Director of Strategic Partnerships

• Office of the DVC (Research and Innovation) | UniSC Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs
• Attractive remuneration, commensurate with skills and experience, plus 17% superannuation
• Five-year, full-time, fixed-term appointment

The Opportunity

UniSC is seeking an accomplished and visionary leader to join us in a newly created opportunity as Director of Strategic Partnerships – a senior leadership role at the forefront of research, innovation, and external engagement. This role is key to shaping how UniSC works with government, industry, and innovation networks to advance research, translate ideas into real-world solutions, and position the University as a catalyst for regional and national transformation.

Reporting to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), the Director leads UniSC's industry engagement and innovation portfolios, guiding strategic partnerships that enhance research collaboration, commercialisation, and enterprise outcomes. This role also drives the continued development of UniSC's innovation precincts and strategic initiatives, including future growth at our Moreton Bay campus and across the region.

Working closely with the Vice-Chancellor and President, University Executive, and academic and professional leaders, you'll represent UniSC in high-level forums, secure strategic opportunities, and shape UniSC's influence within Queensland's innovation ecosystem and beyond.

For more information, please visit us online: Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor-Research and Innovation

You will

• lead UniSC's strategic engagement with government, industry, and innovation networks, fostering partnerships that drive research collaboration, translation, and commercialisation;
• oversee UniSC Innovation, including precincts, programs, and strategic initiatives that translate research into enterprise and economic impact;
• shape and implement long-term strategies for innovation, industry engagement, and policy influence that support UniSC's strategic priorities and regional development agenda; and
• represent UniSC in senior government, industry, and sector forums, advocating for the University's role in education, innovation, and economic transformation.

About you

You are a strategic, collaborative, and future-focused leader with a strong record of building high-impact partnerships that convert ideas into action. With significant experience across innovation, government relations, or industry engagement, you bring a deep understanding of how to shape opportunities that deliver tangible outcomes. You are skilled at aligning complex interests, translating strategic vision into operational delivery, and creating value that extends beyond individual projects to benefit communities, regions, and the economy. You combine long-term thinking with a practical mindset, enabling research and innovation to make a real-world difference.

You lead with integrity and purpose, building trusted relationships across sectors and within institutions. You thrive in dynamic, multi-stakeholder environments where influence, insight, and sound judgement are critical to success. Whether advocating for strategic initiatives, driving collaboration across teams, or engaging at the highest levels of government and industry, you bring the confidence, diplomacy, and resilience needed to lead with impact. Above all, you believe in the transformative power of research, education, and collaboration, and you are committed to helping UniSC deliver on its mission to create a better tomorrow.

You will possess

• A postgraduate qualification in a relevant field, with extensive senior experience in innovation, industry engagement, or government relations;
• Demonstrated ability to lead strategic partnerships that support research collaboration, commercialisation, and enterprise development;
• Deep knowledge of innovation ecosystems, public policy, and industry trends, with a proven ability to secure funding and shape strategic opportunities;
• Proven success in leading high-performing teams, building capability, and fostering a collaborative and impact-driven culture;
• Strong skills in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and executive-level influence;
• Experience contributing to institutional strategy and aligning cross-functional teams to deliver long-term objectives;
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to represent the University at the highest levels; and
• A strong alignment with UniSC's values – integrity, community, and sustainability, and a demonstrated commitment to inclusive, ethical, and impact-focused leadership.

How to apply

Applications for this position close midnight, Monday 24 November

Your completed application must include:

• Resume
• A cover letter not to exceed one page. This statement should outline your skills, knowledge and qualities that will make you a success at UniSC.
• A response to key selection criteria, answered within the digital application process.

Position description:  PD_Director of Strategic Partnerships

UniSC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, women in STEM, First Nations Peoples, and individuals of diverse cultures, genders, abilities, and experiences. We value achievement relative to opportunity and encourage your commentary on your achievements in this context. For additional support during the application process, please contact us at unisc- or call

UniSC values a diverse and talented workforce and invites applications from candidates who already have legal work rights in Australia.

UniSC does not accept unsolicited applications. For agency inquiries, contact unisc-

Further information regarding how to prepare your application is available on our website: Join our team

Have questions or want to know more?

For a confidential discussion, please contact:

Kristie Husk
Talent Acquisition Manager
Phone:
Email:  

Or

Alex Elibank-Murray
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Global and Engagement)
Email: PVCGE-

We would love the opportunity to get to know you better, but we know it works both ways. To get to know a little more about us, visit us at: Welcome to UniSC and LinkedIn Life

Discover UniSC

We're all about doing work that matters, connecting with great people, and being part of an incredible journey. We're not the biggest university. But we're growing every day, and doing big things. Like ground-breaking research, championing sustainability, producing gold-winning athletes and award-winning alumni.

We're one of the fastest growing universities in Australia, growing to over 2,000 people across 5 campuses in South East Queensland and a growing footprint in major capital cities.

Teaching excellence is at the heart of what we do, and our commitment to sustainability is integrated into our teaching, research, and daily operations. Our research tackles the most pressing challenges of our time, with 13 research fields ranked well above world standard, characterised by evidence of outstanding performance according to the Excellence Research for Australia Rankings. At UniSC you will have the opportunity to contribute to the educational landscape for future generations. 

We foster a collaborative and supportive environment, encouraging continuous professional development and providing resources to enhance your career. We recognise and value the contributions of each team member to our culture and success. We're not afraid to be different, and we're looking for people who share our values and want to be part of a team that is working together to improve our local and global challenges.

Our Culture & Benefits:

• Our collaborative, passionate and welcoming culture is what really sets us apart.
• Modern teaching & research facilities.
• Professional development and career pathway opportunities.
• We are a proud recipient of the prestigious Athena SWAN Bronze Award, granted as part of the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) initiative.
• EAP, fitness passport & discounted private health.