Director, Technology Translation Squad

University of New South Wales; Sydney; On-site; AUD 240,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

University of New South Wales – Sydney NSW is seeking a Director of the Technology Translation Squad (TTS) to provide executive leadership and strategic direction for the squad, including long-term planning, project portfolio, and industry engagement across the university and with industry, government and research partners.

You will lead a team, shape growth, and develop strategies for operational, financial and capability sustainability beyond the Trailblazer program, reporting to the TTS

Qualifications

• Executive leadership experience within engineering, technology translation, research commercialisation, or related environments.
• Experience developing strategic direction, leading organisational change and handling complex stakeholder environments.
• Extensive experience leading technology translation or research commercialisation programs with governance and risk oversight.
• Experience establishing governance, compliance and risk management frameworks.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement, influencing and negotiation skills with cross-sector partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Lead long-term planning and the project portfolio for the Technology Translation Squad (TTS).
• Oversee commercial operations and industry engagement across university, industry, government and research partners.
• Lead a team and drive technology translation and commercialisation outcomes.
• Shape growth strategies and sustainable operations beyond the Trailblazer program.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to advance TRaCE initiatives.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder engagement

Governance & risk management

Industry partnerships

Financial management

Project portfolio management

Education

Tertiary qualification in engineering or related field

Job description

University of New South Wales – Sydney NSW

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.

For role-specific inquiries, please contact Prof John Fletcher

E: *************@unsw.edu.au

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

E: ***********@unsw.edu.au

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.