Senior Policy Officer - Intellectual Property & Research Commercialisation

UNSW; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 127,000 - 144,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in Sydney is seeking a Senior Policy Officer to lead a significant policy transformation project in Intellectual Property and Commercialisation. The role involves managing policy development and collaboration with various stakeholders. Candidates should possess strong analytical, communication, and project management skills. Competitive salary between $127,351 - $143,489 along with additional benefits like hybrid working arrangements and career development opportunities.

Benefits

Hybrid / Flexible working arrangements

Additional 3 days of leave over Christmas

Access to lifelong learning opportunities

Discounts and entitlements

Affordable on-site parking

Qualifications

• Demonstrated legal and policy experience in academic research.
• Proven ability to develop clear policies and documents.
• Strong experience in policy analysis and review.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of a new IP and Commercialisation Policy.
• Manage the policy development process with stakeholders.
• Collaborate across teams to ensure effective policy implementation.

Skills

Analytical skills

Written communication

Project management

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Education

Experience in policy development

Understanding of IP and commercialisation

Job description

The Opportunity

• Be part of a significant university-wide policy transformation project and build valuable high-profile experience in an in-demand future-focused sector.
• Salary range: $127,351 - $143,489 (depending on experience) plus 17% superannuation and leave loading.
• Full-time (35 hours/week), 18-month fixed-term contract.

The Senior Policy Officer will lead a major transformation project within the Division of Research & Enterprise to develop a new streamlined Intellectual Property (IP) and Commercialisation Policy for the University. This policy will consolidate existing documents into a single framework supporting the University's approach to IP and commercialisation, covering areas such as research funding, collaboration agreements, industry-sponsored contract research, IP licensing and assignment, ownership of course content, start-ups and spin-offs, and Indigenous Cultural IP (ICIP).

The role involves managing the entire policy development process—from benchmarking existing policies across the sector and international trends, leading workshops with key stakeholders, drafting policy for consultation, reviewing feedback, to presenting final recommendations to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research & Enterprise. The policy will lay the foundation for UNSW's ongoing leadership in research translation, commercialisation, and entrepreneurship.

Reporting to the Director of Operations, the Senior Policy Officer will work under the guidance of the Pro Vice-Chancellor Industry & Innovation and collaborate closely with teams across Legal and Compliance, Governance, the Library, and the wider University. While the position has no direct reports, you will play a key advisory and facilitative role throughout the policy's development and implementation.

The Organisation

The Division of Research & Enterprise at UNSW is responsible for the strategic research direction and overall research performance of the University, including maintaining and advancing the University’s profile in research, research training, technology transfer, research translation, commercialisation, and entrepreneurship.

UNSW is a unique place to work. We are a large, diverse, and talented community committed to being thoughtful, practical, and purposeful in all we do. This approach is what makes our work meaningful. UNSW is Australia's number one university for impact and among the nation's Top 20 employers, which motivates us to come to campus each day.

Benefits and Culture:

• Hybrid / Flexible working arrangements
• Additional 3 days of leave over the Christmas period
• Access to lifelong learning and career development opportunities
• Progressive HR practices
• Discounts and entitlements
• Affordable on-site parking

Who you are

You can demonstrate your legal and policy experience in academic research, intellectual property (IP), commercialisation, and/or copyright, and can demonstrate the following:

• Superior analytical and written communication skills, including confidently interpreting legislation, policies, and procedures, and writing in plain English.
• Experience in successful project and resource management, and the development and communication of policies, practices, and strategies, particularly in the context of change.
• Proven experience in policy analysis and review through high-level research, analytical, and engagement skills, with the ability to write for various audiences and analyze complex information to produce clear policies and documents.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills, with the ability to build and maintain effective collaborative relationships with university staff and external stakeholders, and to act with tact and discretion in sensitive matters.
• Ability to operate independently, exercise judgment, and proactively resolve complex problems, including negotiating and achieving outcomes at senior levels.
• Excellent time management skills, with a demonstrated ability to adapt to changing priorities, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines using judgment and initiative.
• An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives, and values, along with relevant policies and guidelines.
• Knowledge of health & safety responsibilities (psychosocial and physical) and a commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.

To apply: If supporting excellence in policy development at a world-class university interests you, please submit your CV, cover letter, and responses to the Skills and Experience required via the APPLY button.

Contact: Shiree Thomas - Talent Acquisition Consultant, e:

Applications close: 11:55 pm Thursday 31 July 2025

UNSW is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ community, and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent are encouraged. We provide workplace adjustments for people with disabilities and flexible work options for eligible staff.

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.

Required Experience: Senior IC

Key Skills: Engineering Support, ABAP, E-Learning, ACCA, Market Intelligence, Branding

Employment Type: Full-Time

Experience: years

Vacancy: 1