R&D Project Lead: Dairy Innovation & Strategy

Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC); Hamilton; Hybrid; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Extra leave days

Flexible working options

Insurance discounts (health, life, etc

Employee shares scheme

Wellbeing discounts

Free onsite parking

Hamilton office with park-like setting

Job summary

Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC) seeks a skilled project leader to manage a portfolio of scientific and business research initiatives in dairy genetics and on-farm solutions. You will work with scientists, technical experts and stakeholders to deliver projects on time and within budget, influencing innovation across NZ dairying.

You will lead planning, budgeting and collaboration while supporting IP protection and future farming systems in a changing environment.

Qualifications

• Experience managing projects or delivering complex programmes of work.
• Tertiary qualification in Applied Science, Science, Agriculture or a related field (preferred).
• Strong communication, stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
• Experience coordinating internal resources, contractors and external partners.
• Well-developed organisational, planning and problem-solving abilities.
• Strategic thinker who can balance big-picture outcomes with day-to-day delivery.
• Adaptable, proactive and comfortable working in a changing environment.
• Experience conducting scientific trials is advantageous.
• An interest in science, innovation and agricultural research.
• The ability to build a strong understanding of New Zealand farming systems.
• A passion for developing solutions that support the future success of the dairy industry.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate research projects from planning through to delivery.
• Ensure project milestones, budgets, timelines and reporting requirements are achieved.
• Providing leadership and oversight across a portfolio of scientific projects.
• Develop budgets, maintaining forecasts, and supporting effective resource planning.
• Facilitating collaboration across project teams and stakeholders.
• Managing contracts and external service providers.
• Supporting the protection of LIC’s intellectual property and freedom to operate.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Resource coordination

Planning

Strategic thinking

Adaptability

Scientific trials

Interest in science

Understanding NZ farming

Dairy industry knowledge

Education

Applied Science

Agriculture

Science

Tools

Contract management

Job description

Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC) seeks a skilled project leader to manage a portfolio of scientific and business research initiatives in dairy genetics and on-farm solutions. You will work with scientists, technical experts and stakeholders to deliver projects on time and within budget, influencing innovation across NZ dairying.

You will lead planning, budgeting and collaboration while supporting IP protection and future farming systems in a changing environment.