Head of Innovation and Industry Partnerships

Head of Innovation & Industry Partnerships, UNSW Canberra

Employment type:   Full-time, 35 hours per week
Duration: Continuing

Remuneration: Competitive salary plus eligibility for 10% bonus
Location: UNSW Canberra

About UNSW Canberra
UNSW Canberra is a Faculty of UNSW, delivering higher education services to the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) and expanding its academic footprint through the University's growing Canberra City Precinct. As UNSW Canberra enters a period of strategic growth, the Head of Innovation and Industry Partnerships will play a pivotal role in advancing the Faculty's external collaborations and innovation agenda.

UNSW distinguishes itself from other institutions by its commitment to being thoughtful, practical, and purposeful in all endeavours. This combined approach is integral to the University's impact and contributes to its recognition as one of the top 20 universities globally. Choosing a career at UNSW means embracing an environment where thriving, facing challenges, and engaging in meaningful work are not just encouraged but integral to the university experience. If you seek a career where you can excel and contribute meaningfully, you've found the right place.

At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work.

Why Your Role Matters:
Reporting to the Faculty Executive Director, you will lead the Faculty's professional service teams that support the engagement and delivery of industry partnerships, professional education, and business development functions, as well as commercialisation, knowledge transfer and innovation activities. This includes our flagship innovation incubator, UNSW Canberra Launch.

The Head of Innovation and Industry Partnerships will play a critical role in developing and maintaining relationships with strategic partners locally and globally. Success in this role will be evident in the establishment and delivery of strategically aligned partnerships in education, research and innovation, as well as the growth of partnership-led revenue, and increased investment from industry and government.

Accountabilities:

• Lead the Faculty's Innovation and Industry Partnerships portfolio, including financial management, strategic direction, and supervision of teams focused on innovation services and partnerships, business development, delivery of partnership commitments and professional education.

• Drive revenue generation at UNSW Canberra through working closely with Faculty leaders and colleagues to secure industry partnership opportunities.

• Proactively identify, pursue and create partnership opportunities in collaboration with Faculty leaders and colleagues, including strategic foresighting and preparation of key collateral (e.g. proposals, tenders and other bid materials).

• Drawing on strong commercial acumen, lead the negotiation and execution of partnership agreements, ensuring terms that are aligned with Faculty priorities and interests.

• Ensure UNSW Canberra maintains positive relationships with industry partners and delivers on its partnership commitments on time, budget and in a quality befitting the standards expected at UNSW.

• Advise on UNSW Canberra's strategic direction in industry partnerships, innovation activity, commercialisation and knowledge transfer opportunities.

• Deliver on strategic initiatives pertaining to innovation and industry partnerships, including as reflected in the annual Faculty Plan and UNSW Strategy.

Who You Are (skills and experience): 

• Formal qualifications or demonstrable experience in business development and/or commercialisation.

• Exceptional commercial acumen and a demonstrated track record of cultivating and securing new business opportunities and revenue through developing and maintaining partnerships, including strengths in contract negotiation, execution and delivery.

• In-depth knowledge and understanding of Australian higher education and research will be highly regarded.

• Outstanding communication skills including a record of success in preparing and securing new business/partnerships via proposals and tenders.

• Strong record of delivering industry partnerships and innovation, including expertise in education, research commercialisation and knowledge transfer from university to business/community/government applications.

• Demonstrable record of achievement in managing a diverse portfolio, including evidence of success in nurturing high performing teams.

• Exceptional interpersonal and influencing skills with the ability to communicate persuasively with varied stakeholders.

Benefits and Culture:
UNSW is committed to helping staff balance work-life responsibilities, by providing access to high-quality services, facilities, and flexible work and leave arrangements.

• Flexible working options (work from home, flexible hours etc) 
• Additional three days leave during December festive period
• Career development opportunities 
• Up to 50% discount on UNSW courses
• Flexible 17% superannuation contributions, additional leave-loading payments and salary sacrifice
• Free gym access
• UNSW-wide strategy to focus on Healthy Body, Healthy Mind, Healthy Places and Healthy Culture. 

Eligibility: 
The successful candidate will be required to undertake pre-employment checks prior to commencement in this role. The checks that will be undertaken are listed in the Position Description. You will not be required to provide any further documentation or information regarding the checks until directly requested by UNSW.  

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Candidates must hold full rights to work in Australia to be considered for this position.

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment. 

How to Apply:

Make each day matter with a meaningful career at UNSW. Submit your application online before Sunday 16 November 2025 at 11:30pm, including your CV and a 1–2-page cover letter addressing the required skills and experience outlined in the position description.

Get in Touch:

For role-related queries please contact:
Amanda Walker - Dep Faculty Executive Director

For recruitment process related queries please contact:
Holly Whale – Talent Acquisition Consultant

Applications cannot be accepted if sent directly to the contact listed.

Find out more about the lifestyle and benefits when working with UNSW  

For further information about UNSW Canberra, please visit: UNSW Canberra 
For further information on living in Canberra, please visit: Living in Canberra

UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff.