Director, Technology Translation Squad

UNSW; Sydney; On-site; AUD 260,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

UNSW Engineering seeks a Director of the Technology Translation Squad (TTS) to provide executive leadership and strategic direction, overseeing its growth, governance, and industry engagement. You will lead cross-university collaboration with industry, government and research partners to advance high-impact technology translation and commercialisation outcomes.

This fixed-term, on-site role located at Kensington, Sydney, offers a competitive remuneration package and an opportunity to shape the

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualification with significant and sustained relevant experience or equivalent competence gained through any combination of education, training and experience.
• Demonstrated executive leadership experience within engineering, technology translation, research commercialisation, innovation or related environments, including the ability to develop strategic direction, lead organisational change and operate effectively within complex stakeholder environments.
• Extensive experience leading complex technology translation, engineering or research commercialisation programs and portfolios, including governance, delivery oversight, performance monitoring and risk management.
• Demonstrated experience establishing governance, compliance and risk management frameworks aligned with organisational policy, legislative requirements and industry best practice.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement, influencing and negotiation skills, with demonstrated success representing organisations and building strategic partnerships across industry, government, research organisations, investors and executive stakeholders.
• Demonstrated commercial and financial management expertise, including securing grant funding and commercial opportunities, strategic budgeting, financial planning, investment decision‑making and resource allocation.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for the Squad.
• Lead long-term planning, project portfolio, and industry engagement.
• Oversee governance, performance monitoring and risk management.
• Develop strategies for operational, financial and capability sustainability.
• Collaborate with university, industry, government and research partners.

Skills

Executive leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic planning

Governance & risk management

Financial management

Grant funding

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification

Job description

The Opportunity

Join UNSW Engineering as the Director of the Technology Translation Squad (TTS). Reporting to the TTS Executive Director, you will provide executive leadership and strategic direction for the Squad, leading its long‑term planning, project portfolio, commercial operations and industry engagement. You will lead a team and work across the University and with industry, government and research partners to deliver high-impact technology translation and commercialisation outcomes. Established by UNSW in 2024 as part of the Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE) initiative, the TTS provides rapid research and development support to small and medium enterprises, start‑ups and established industry partners as they progress innovative technologies through the Technology Readiness Levels. You will shape the Squad’s growth and develop strategies for its operational, financial and capability sustainability beyond the Trailblazer program.

• Salary: Competitive total remuneration package
• Employment type: Full-time
• Appointment type: Fixed-term until June 2027 (potential to extend)
• Location: Kensington – Sydney, Australia
• Work arrangement: On-site role

About Us

UNSW is a leading Australian university with a strong record in research, education and industry collaboration. The Technology Translation Squad is hosted by the School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications within UNSW Engineering. The TTS is funded through the Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE) program, a $280 million initiative delivered by UNSW in partnership with the University of Newcastle and industry collaborators. TRaCE supports research, commercialisation and innovation in sustainable recycling and clean energy. Learn more about TRaCE and the School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications.

Skills And Experience

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Relevant tertiary qualification with significant and sustained relevant experience or equivalent competence gained through any combination of education, training and experience.
• Demonstrated executive leadership experience within engineering, technology translation, research commercialisation, innovation or related environments, including the ability to develop strategic direction, lead organisational change and operate effectively within complex stakeholder environments.
• Extensive experience leading complex technology translation, engineering or research commercialisation programs and portfolios, including governance, delivery oversight, performance monitoring and risk management.
• Demonstrated experience establishing governance, compliance and risk management frameworks aligned with organisational policy, legislative requirements and industry best practice.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement, influencing and negotiation skills, with demonstrated success representing organisations and building strategic partnerships across industry, government, research organisations, investors and executive stakeholders.
• Demonstrated commercial and financial management expertise, including securing grant funding and commercial opportunities, strategic budgeting, financial planning, investment decision‑making and resource allocation.

Additional details about the specific responsibilities of this position can be found in the position description, which is available via JOBS@UNSW.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. To be considered, applicants must have full working rights in Australia and be able to work on‑site at our Kensington campus.

Contact

For role‑specific inquiries, please contact Prof John Fletcher

E: [e-mail]

For questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact Eugene Aves (Talent Acquisition Partner)

E: [e-mail]

Applications close: 11:55 pm (Sydney time) on Sunday, 15 November 2026

As part of our recruitment process candidates may be required to undergo pre‑employment screening, which may include reference checks, qualification verification, right‑to‑work verification, and criminal history screening where relevant to the role.

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.