Director, Technology Translation Squad

University of New South Wales; Sydney; On-site; AUD 260,000 - 360,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration package

On-site role

Job summary

UNSW Engineering seeks a Director of the Technology Translation Squad (TTS) to provide executive leadership and strategic direction. You will guide long-term planning, project portfolio, commercial operations, and industry engagement, delivering high-impact technology translation outcomes.

Established within a new TRaCE initiative, the TTS supports R&D to SMEs and industry partners, shaping growth and sustainability beyond the program. This role is on-site at Kensington, Sydney.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification with significant experience in engineering, technology translation, or related fields.
• Executive leadership experience developing strategic direction and leading change in complex environments.
• Experience leading technology translation or research commercialization programs with governance and risk oversight.
• Experience establishing governance, compliance and risk management frameworks.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and partnership-building across industry and government.
• Commercial and financial management expertise including grant funding, budgeting and investments.

Skills

Executive leadership

Governance & risk

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic budgeting

Industry partnerships

Change management

Education

Tertiary qualification

Job description

Job no: 543780
Work type: Full Time
Location: Sydney, NSW
Categories: Professional Leadership

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.

Please note applications will not be accepted if sent to the contact listed below.

Contact

For role-specific inquiries, please contact Prof John Fletcher

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

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.

Advertised: 02 Nov 2026 AUS Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 15 Nov 2026 AUS Eastern Daylight Time