Drive UNSW's strategic direction and initiatives
Bring together aspects of innovation and enterprise across all facets of the research portfolio.
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Industry & Innovation)
The inaugural role of Pro Vice-Chancellor (Industry & Innovation) is a rare opportunity to lead the development of an integrated approach to innovation, engagement, and enterprise across one of the leading research and teaching-intensive universities in the world.
You'll help set the University’s overall strategic direction and operational directive in relation to innovation and engagement, with specific emphasis on knowledge exchange, translation, commercialisation, and the building of strategic partnerships.
You'll also enhance the funding base of the University through new models and schemes for research investment and drive strategic initiatives in commercialisation to deliver growth in research income and impact.
Message from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Enterprise)
Message from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Enterprise)
UNSW is a top 50 global university that strives to improve lives through excellence in research and education, and the advancement of a just society. Recognised as pioneers in the fields of photovoltaics, climate science, quantum computing, and public health, we are also the #1 university in Australia for aspiring entrepreneurs with more than 200 startups born out of the UNSW community every year.
Our commitment to solving problems that matter, through meaningful collaboration and practical translation of our research, has led UNSW to create the new position of Pro-Vice Chancellor (Industry & Innovation).
We’re looking for a dynamic leader to drive all facets of UNSW’s industry engagement, commercialisation, and knowledge transfer, and position the University as a preferred destination for a broad range of collaborators.
As Pro Vice-Chancellor (Industry & Innovation), you will nurture the innovative spirit of staff, students, and alumni, embedding a growth culture that generates investment, infrastructure, thought leadership and real-world impact from our research.
At UNSW, we are motivated by a strong desire to make the world a better place and continually demonstrate our social and economic value. We aim to create a stimulating place to collaborate, and hope you will consider joining us.
This is a unique opportunity, and if you have the passion to lead UNSW’s innovation and engagement, and the enthusiasm and dedication to contribute to our ongoing success, we would love to hear from you.
Professor Nicholas Fisk
- About you
- Position description
- Further information
- How to apply
We are looking for an outstanding academic leader with entrepreneurial skills. A person with the capacity to think strategically, develop organisational capability, implement strategic plans, manage budgets, and lead change in a large, complex, and diverse organisation.
You will have in-depth knowledge and understanding of higher education research environments, and cross-institutional areas of higher education funding, operations, human resources, and advancement.
A proven performer with a strong record of strategic leadership in innovation, including demonstrated specialised knowledge of research commercialisation processes and translation to strategic priorities.
A PhD is required, and postdoctoral experience in research is desirable. Formal qualifications in business development and/or commercialisation would be highly regarded.
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The Pro Vice-Chancellor (Industry & Innovation) is a senior leadership role at UNSW Sydney supporting the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Enterprise) in the management of the Division of Research & Enterprise, and in achieving the Innovation & Engagement objectives of the University’s 2025 Strategy.
The position is responsible for strategic leadership across all facets of UNSW’s industry engagement, commercialisation, knowledge transfer, and is charged with bringing together aspects of innovation and enterprise from students, staff, and alumni across the research portfolio.
The Pro Vice-Chancellor (Industry & Innovation) has executive responsibility for the Business Development & Commercialisation, UniSearch, and TORCH, offices, and maintains oversight of the Entrepreneurial Campus. The Pro Vice-Chancellor (Industry & Innovation) nurtures the entrepreneurial spirit and know-how and guides the University in activities to ensure that our research and discoveries translate to real world outcomes, leading interactions in this area with government, business, industry, and other key university partners to help position UNSW as Australia’s pre-eminent entrepreneurial university.
The Pro Vice-Chancellor (Industry & Innovation) reports directly to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Enterprise) and works closely with the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research), Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Infrastructure), Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Training)/Dean of Graduate Research, and Executive Director (Research & Enterprise). The position also works collegially and constructively with other Divisions and Faculty Deans and Associate/Deputy Deans and is an advocate for UNSW in all external contexts, in Australia and internationally.
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Skills
A PhD is required, and postdoctoral experience in research is desirable. Formal qualifications in business development and/or commercialisation would be highly regarded.
Outstanding leadership and entrepreneurial skills, with the capacity to think strategically, develop organisational capability, implement strategic plans, manage budgets, and lead change in a large, complex, and diverse organisation.
In-depth knowledge and understanding of the Australian and international higher education research environments, and cross-institutional areas of higher education funding, operations, human resources, and advancement.
Strong record of strategic leadership in innovation, including demonstrated specialised knowledge of research commercialisation processes and translation to strategic priorities.
Demonstrated track record in overseeing and delivering significant innovation and commercialisation initiatives, ideally within a university context.
- Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and influencing skills with the ability to communicate with a wide and diverse range of stakeholders, including demonstrated strengths in:
- high level national and international advocacy,
- motivating staff and researchers,
- establishing and maintaining effective relationships across industry, government, and non-
- government organisations, and
- the ability to represent UNSW nationally and internationally.
An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives, and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
Knowledge of health and safety responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.
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The role of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Industry & Innovation) is broad and encompasses a number of accountabilities. The following outline some of the specific accountabilities for this role but is not exhaustive.
Strategy and Direction
Provide strategic advice to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Enterprise) on all aspects of the University’s innovation and enterprise priorities, strategies, and mechanisms.
Contribute to setting the University’s overall strategic direction and operational directive in relation to innovation and engagement, with specific emphasis on knowledge exchange, and the building of strategic partnerships.
Lead the development of an integrated approach to innovation, engagement, and enterprise across the University, and embed an entrepreneurial ethos in our students, staff, and alumni.
Proactively identify and plan for target areas of innovation to maximise research translation and impact, ensuring that the wider economic and social benefits of our research to society are well- communicated.
Enhance the funding base of the University through new models and schemes for research investment and drive strategic initiatives in commercialisation to deliver growth in research income.
Promote UNSW’s research capabilities and profile, both locally and internationally, to position the University as a destination for collaborators from industry, government, and non-government organisations.
- Deputise for the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Enterprise) in all aspects of the UNSW research and enterprise portfolio, when required.
Operational
Work with key stakeholders to develop and deliver the industry networks, technology, training, and infrastructure required to enable transformative interdisciplinary collaborations and a culture of innovation and enterprise.
Manage large budgets, and through sound business and commercial acumen, leadership, and strategic thinking, grow and generate substantial revenue streams for the University.
Foster and capitalise on the development and operation of innovation precincts through partnerships with industry, government, and non-government organisations.
Identify, develop and/or contribute to robust and successful University and consortia bids for major industry collaboration funding such as the Trailblazer University Program, and the Cooperative Research Centres.
Lead UNSW input and responses to government consultation and assessment exercises pertaining to innovation, entrepreneurship, knowledge exchange, and research commercialisation.
- Formulate guidelines and policies to ensure that risks inherent in innovation and enterprise are understood and managed but do not derail an ethos of innovation in the University.
Relationship Building
Develop effective communications with a wide range of staff in Faculties and central administrative units to drive an enhanced culture of innovation and enterprise at UNSW.
- Establish and maintain strong alliances with key business, industry, government, and other partner organisations to create new innovation opportunities for UNSW, the local community, NSW, and Australia.
- Work with the State and Federal government to ensure that the right facilities, ethos, and funding schemes are in place to support the University’s innovation and enterprise agenda.
Staff management
Provide outstanding leadership, vision, role clarity, and a culture that supports ongoing growth and development of a team of expert professionals within the portfolio of the Pro Vice-Chancellor Industry & Innovation.
Ensure that all staff within the portfolio of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Industry & Innovation) comply with UNSW Sydney Work Health and Safety (WHS) policies, plans and procedures, and that WHS is a key priority in the Division of Research & Enterprise.
- Ensure performance reviews and career development assessments of staff within the portfolio of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Industry & Innovation) are undertaken on a regular basis in accordance with University policy.
Committee and Board Membership
Membership of University Committees including Academic Board, the University Research Committee and others as required.
Represent the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Enterprise) as required such as at the Group of 8 (Go8) and Universities Australia Committees.
- Represent the University externally at board and committee level, and in international research consortia, as required.
Other
Align with and actively demonstrate the UNSW Values in Action: Our Behaviours and the UNSW Code of Conduct.
Cooperate with all health and safety policies and procedures of the university and take all reasonable care to ensure that your actions or omissions do not impact on the health and safety of yourself or others.
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We will offer the successful candidate a salary package commensurate with the position responsibilities and the candidate’s skills, qualifications and experience.
All of our employees (excluding casuals) are entitled to receive 17% employer superannuation contributions. New employees are entitled to select their preferred superannuation fund or UniSuper, the industry fund for the Tertiary Education sector.
Our salary-sacrificing initiatives allow you to pay some or all of the offering before tax.
We also offer the option to salary package a fully maintained vehicle under a lease known as a novated lease. Car parking is available on campus with the ability to pay via fortnightly payroll salary sacrifice deductions.
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Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all required pre-employment or background checks. In addition, your ongoing employment is based upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements.
UNSW requires that all employees have eligible working rights within Australia. As one of Australia’s top employers, we understand that some candidates may benefit from support to relocate and join our university.
If you are offered a position at the university and are not an Australian citizen or permanent resident, the university may be able to assist with sponsorship arrangements. This includes obtaining the appropriate visa to allow you to work at UNSW.
The type of visa arrangement would depend on the length of your appointment at UNSW. Our external providers, Visa Lawyers Australia, will initially make that assessment of your application on behalf of UNSW and the UNSW Recruitment team will also guide you through this process.
We may also offer financial assistance to successful candidates who are required to move from their current residence in order to take an appointment at UNSW.
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UNSW isn’t like other places you’ve worked. Yes, we’re a large organisation with a diverse and talented community; a community doing extraordinary things. But what makes us different isn’t only what we do, it’s how we do it. Together, we are driven to be thoughtful, practical, and purposeful in all we do.
Taking this combined approach is what makes our work matter. It’s why we come to campus each day.
We make it as easy as possible for our staff to have a rich and balanced life at work and home. As part of our approach to flexible working, we have introduced greater flexibility across location, hours, full-time equivalents, schedules and job sharing.
In terms of other benefits, we offer various types of leave, lifelong learning, discounts, entitlements, health and wellbeing support. Further information can be found on Jobs@UNSW.
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As places of great inspiration and innovation, Australian universities are crucial intellectual environments where knowledge is created, communicated and challenged. In partnership with government and business, academic research and technologies help to develop vital industries. In addition, Australian universities provide students with the skills to compete in increasingly global workplaces and are ourselves major employers.
Universities are key to Australia’s economic success. In 2018, Australian universities contributed $41 billion to the economy and supported a total of 259,100 full-time jobs. In addition, 1,426,594 students studied at Australia’s 39 universities in 2018. Of these, 71 per cent (or 1,014,027) were domestic students and the remaining 29 per cent (or 412,567) were international students. In the same year, 325,171 students completed their degrees.[1]
When it comes to world university rankings, Australia has a strong, proven track record. Across all global ranking systems, criteria and fields of study, Australia ranks highly for quality of education, student satisfaction, and global reputation. The latest ranking shows more than eight Australian universities are ranked in the top 200 universities and almost two-thirds of Australia’s 39 universities are in the top 500.[2] In addition, Australia consistently ranks highly in the Universitas 21 Report – in 2020, it ranked ninth.[3]
Australian university students pursue a wide range of academic disciplines, from health and education to engineering and information technology. While the majority of students study full-time, others balance a part-time load with family or work responsibilities and, in the current environment, many combine on-campus and online study for maximum flexibility.
International education is Australia’s fourth largest export and the largest services export industry. In 2019, the industry generated $40.3 billion in export income. The higher education sector contributed around 70 per cent (or $27.8 billion) of international education export income in 2019.[4]
The 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) national report, which provides information of the quality of research undertaken by Australian universities, assessed that over 90 per cent of Australian university research was performing at, or above world standards in 2018.[5]
UNSW is a founding member of the Group of Eight (Go8), a coalition of Australia’s leading research-intensive universities, and the prestigious Universitas 21 international network. In world rankings Go8 universities are consistently the highest ranked in Australia. Seven of the Go8’s members are in the world’s top 100 universities and all Go8 members are ranked in the world’s top 150 universities: in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the Times Higher Education Rankings (THES) and the QS World University Rankings (QS).[6]
[1] 2020, Universities Australia 2020 Higher Education Facts and Figures
[2] 2020, Universities Australia 2020 Higher Education Facts and Figures
[3] 2020, Universities Australia 2020 Higher Education Facts and Figures
[4] 2020, Universities Australia 2020 Higher Education Facts and Figures
[5] 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) 2018 report, produced by the Australian Research Council (ARC
[6] Group of Eight, Australia -
Sydney was recently ranked the sixth best city in the world to live and work in by Global Finance magazine. With world-famous beaches and a thriving arts, music and food scene full of cultural communities to immerse yourself in, our coastal city is not just a destination, but a life experience.
Coastal living
It’s easy to see why the sunshine and coastline of Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs beaches attract so many visitors, and UNSW’s Kensington campus sits right next door. It’s less than 30 minutes from campus to Bondi by car or bus, or just 10 minutes to Coogee.
If the beach isn’t your thing, we’re five minutes from beautiful Centennial Park or a short stroll to Randwick’s buzzing shops, cafés and restaurants.
Expand your network
Sydney’s the financial capital of Australia, and our international city is home to many global firms, offering countless opportunities to gain experience, meet people and build your networks.
A city for students
Sydney was ranked as the 8th best student city in the world in the QS Best Student Cities Index 2022. Our large and inclusive student community benefits from Sydney’s unique blend of outdoor and metropolitan lifestyles. Sydney offers a diverse range of opportunities for employment after graduation.
Something for everyone
There’s always something to do in Sydney, whether you’re flying solo or you’re looking for something the whole family can enjoy. You can find the best swimming, snorkelling and surfing spots or watch a film at the local Randwick cinema – one of the cheapest in Sydney. Ride a bike around Centennial Park, stop for a picnic, or enjoy an Aussie barbecue with new friends.
Sydney is also home to a number of incredible annual events, including Vivid Sydney, a festival of light, music and ideas, the New Year’s Eve Fireworks (possibly the most famous fireworks display in the world), and Taste of Sydney – an annual festival celebrating food and culture.
For further information or a confidential discussion regarding this role please contact:
Larry Little on +61 419 208 113 or email: larry@kennedyaustin.com
Vicki Austin on +61 431 007 000 or email: Vicki@kennedyaustin.com
UNSW is committed to evolving a culture that embraces equity and supports a diverse and inclusive community where everyone can participate fairly, in a safe and respectful environment. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and encourage applications from people of diverse gender, sexual orientation, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, people with disability and those with caring and family responsibilities. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff.
The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.
