Innovation & Enterprise Initiatives Lead

Office of Vice President (Engagement)

Creative Futures

ECU City and Joondalup

$136,958 to $143,228 pa (HEW 9)

Full Time, Fixed Term Contract Until End of 2026

Edith Cowan UniversityAre you ready to belong to a dynamic community where courage, creativity, and optimism are essential elements of our DNA? At ECU we're inspired by the incredible achievements of Edith Cowan, the first woman elected to an Australian parliament and a lifelong champion of education. Empowered by her legacy, we're united in our vision to lead the sector in educational experience and expand our impact through world-class research. 

Embrace an opportunity to become part of something extraordinary.Creative Futures is a cross-disciplinary team that brings together art, culture, digital innovation, creative partnerships, and entrepreneurship to accelerate ECU's goals in graduate employability, cultural leadership, impact translation and revenue diversification. As ECU embarks on a once-in-a-generation transformation through its new City Campus, Creative Futures will play a pivotal role in showcasing creativity, generating new income streams, and positioning ECU as a partner of choice for industry, government, and cultural institutions. About the Opportunity

Reporting to the Director, Creative Futures, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering a comprehensive innovation and commercialisation strategy for the Directorate, considering the University's boarder ambitions. As well as being an expert do-er, you will also mentor and guide a small team, building capability in partnerships and commercialisation, and ensure governance, compliance and risk management are upheld. 

You will be forward-looking, identifying emerging trends, technologies and market opportunities to develop new initiatives that advance ECU's reputation and impact, aligned to the goals of the Creative Futures team.

This is a rare opportunity to influence the future of a university recognised for its creativity, innovation and industry connections, and to help shape transformational initiatives that deliver real-world outcomes.

About you

You are a highly skilled relationship builder and strategic thinker, with a proven track record in partnerships, commercialisation and innovation (in program delivery and with leadership/ expert understanding).

You will bring:

• Postgraduate qualifications and extensive relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and expertise.
• Demonstrated ability to secure and deliver collaborative partnerships that generate financial and reputational outcomes.
• Strong commercial acumen, with experience in business development, IP management and commercialisation pathways.
• Excellent negotiation and communication skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels across government, industry and the cultural sector.
• Leadership capability, with experience mentoring teams and ensuring governance, compliance, and risk management.

You embody personal attributes that align with ECU's core values of Integrity, Respect, Rational Inquiry, Personal Excellence, and Courage. Your commitment to these values is evident in your approach to work and your interactions with colleagues and stakeholders.

Benefits of working at ECU

At ECU we're committed to fostering a positive employment experience and believe this is fundamental to the success and satisfaction of our employees. Growth and development matter here, because we recognise people are at the centre of everything we do. Our thriving work culture is guided by the ECU values and complemented by a range of employee benefits; visit our website to read about flexible working arrangements, generous leave entitlements, our commitment to Wellbeing, exclusive corporate discounts and industry-leading superannuation.

Contact

For more information about this role, please contact Rebecca Gibson, Director, Creative Futures via email at

Application ProcessPlease upload your resume and a cover letter outlining why you are the ideal candidate for this position, with specific reference to the "About You" criteria above. Further details are provided in the position description.

Advert ClosureApplications close on Wednesday 12 November 2025 at 11:30pm AWST.

PLEASE NOTE: APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED FROM CANDIDATES WHO HAVE THE RELEVANT WORKING RIGHTS TO FILL THIS POSITION.

ECU is a diverse and inclusive workplace reflecting the differences in society. Specific strategies and initiatives are in place to address underrepresentation of specific groups. Applications are encouraged from suitably qualified people from all backgrounds. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.