General Manager: Technology Development & Innovation

Technology Innovation Agency; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Technology Innovation Agency, Pretoria, seeks a General Manager for Technology Development & Innovation to lead a balanced TRL 3–7 portfolio, manage budgets, and drive commercialization of new technologies. The role requires extensive leadership experience in technology development, funding, and stakeholder collaboration with universities, industry and government.

The successful candidate will oversee governance, funding allocation, and partnerships to deliver market-ready outcomes while

Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree in Engineering, ICT, Science or Tech-related field with Innovation/Commercialisation focus.
• 10–12 years’ experience in technology development, R&D, or innovation funding.
• At least 10 years in senior management or executive leadership with portfolio construction.
• Experience across TRL 1–9 and in managing large innovation budgets with external partners.

Responsibilities

• Oversee a balanced TRL 3–7 portfolio within approved budgets and governance.
• Drive commercialisation and revenue generation from developed technologies.
• Improve ROIs on R&D and innovation investments through disciplined funding.
• Lead partnerships with industry, academia, and government to de-risk and scale.
• Monitor portfolio performance, risk, and compliance, with stage-gate governance.
• Coordinate IP protection and early value optimisation; oversee due diligence.

Skills

Leadership

Portfolio management

R&D funding

Due diligence

Budget management

Stakeholder engagement

Governance

Education

Postgraduate Degree (NQF 8)

Job description

General Manager: Technology Development & Innovation

Details

Closing Date 2026/09/24

Reference Number TIA260904-4

Job Title General Manager: Technology Development & Innovation

Job Type Classification Permanent

Location - Town / City Pretoria

Location - Province Gauteng

Location - Country South Africa

Job Advert Summary

To lead the development and management of a balanced TRL 3–7 innovation portfolio that delivers market-relevant technologies, maximises return on innovation investments, and supports national priorities. The role ensures effective sourcing, de-risking, funding, and commercialization of technologies through strong governance, strategic partnerships, and efficient lifecycle management, while building internal capability and driving a high-performance innovation culture.

TIA is a talent driven, customer- centric and impact focused organisation. In our endeavour to support technology innovation with socio-economic outcomes, we seek to infuse the organisation with team players that find resonance as value creators, agile thinkers, progressive attitudes, customer‑centricity, dynamic work ethic and an optimistic disposition. We aim to harness these attributes in a manner that they culminate into a culture of teamwork, impact and accountability.

The Technology Innovation Agency endeavours to promote the careers of previously disadvantaged persons by applying the principles of the Employment Equity Act, as amended.

The Agency reserves the right not to make an appointment.

Qualifications:

• Postgraduate Degree (NQF Level 8) in Engineering, Information & Communication Technology, Science or Technology‑related field, Innovation Management, Commercialisation / Technology Management

Work Experience:

• 10–12 years’ relevant experience in technology development, R&D, innovation funding, or commercialisation.
• At least 10 years in a senior management or executive leadership role, with demonstrated success in portfolio construction, technology scale‑up, and leading multidisciplinary technical teams
• Proven experience managing technology portfolios across the innovation lifecycle (TRL 1–9).
• Experience in conducting technical and commercial due diligence.
• Experience over large innovation budgets, external delivery partners, and complex stakeholder ecosystems including universities, science councils, industry, and government.
• Demonstrated experience in budget management and financial oversight.
• Experience managing delivery via partners.

Duties and Responsibilities

Financial Perspective

• Manage technology development portfolio within approved budgets.
• Ensure optimal allocation of funding across innovation pipeline stages.
• Drive commercialisation and revenue generation from developed technologies.
• Improve return on R&D and innovation investments.
• Leverage external funding and partnerships
• Manage divisional budget (OPEX & CAPEX) in line with PFMA and TIA Act.
• Optimise funding allocation across innovation pipeline (TRL 1–9).
• Increase commercialisation revenue (royalties, equity, repayments).
• Leverage co‑fFunding and third‑party investment.

Stakeholder Relationship

• Identify market needs and emerging technology trends.
• Support beneficiaries / innovators from concept to market readiness.
• Build strong partnerships with industry, academia, and entrepreneurs.
• Enhance stakeholder satisfaction and trust.
• Promote inclusive and sustainable innovation
• Manage relationships with innovators, academia, industry, and government.
• Ensure client satisfaction and innovation support effectiveness.
• Promote inclusive innovation and transformation objectives.

Internal Processes

• Oversee structured technology development lifecycle (TRL progression).
• Implement governance and stage‑gate processes.
• Reduce time-to-market.
• Monitor project risks and ensure compliance.
• Improve operational efficiencies in project management.
• Proactively source innovation aligned to Decadal Plan priorities.
• Translate priorities into targeted calls and curated pipelines.
• Design and manage a balanced TRL 3–7 portfolio.
• Monitor portfolio performance and recommend adjustments.
• Oversee technical, regulatory and manufacturability assessments.
• Coordinate expert panels and specialist support.
• Support CIO in deal structuring and instrument selection.
• Ensure IP protection and early value optimisation.
• Oversee technical and commercial due diligence processes.
• Ensure effective innovation pipeline management (TRL framework).
• Improve disbursement efficiency and milestone monitoring.
• Strengthen risk management and audit compliance.
• Implement best practices in technology evaluation and commercialisation readiness.
• Design and manage delivery models using partners.
• Ensure performance, governance and compliance.
• Management of time-to-decision on funding
• Project Performance and Delivery Management
• Ensure smooth progression from TRL 3 to TRL 7 and handover to the General Manager: Commercialisation Enablement

Learning and Growth

• Develop technical and innovation competencies within the team.
• Future‑Facing Technology and Innovation Capability Development
• Encourage knowledge sharing and cross‑functional collaboration.
• Implement innovation methodologies (Design Thinking, Agile, Open Innovation).
• Support digital transformation and emerging technologies adoption.
• Strengthen leadership pipeline within the unit.

The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) web pages are frequently updated and improved. New content will be added as it is available. Although we will attempt to keep information in the TIA web site accurate, the accuracy of the information provided cannot be guaranteed. The logos of TIA are copyrighted and may not be used in web pages, electronic, or written publications without the express permission of TIA.

Data privacy

In terms of the requirements set in the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (Act No. 4 of 2013) (POPIA) everyone has the right to privacy, including the right to the lawful collection, retention, dissemination and use of one’s personal information. To give effect to this right, TIA is under a duty to provide you with various details in respect of the processing of your personal information, before such information is processed, which details are set out in TIA’s Section 18 detailed informed consent document. By providing TIA with your personal details, you consent to TIA processing your Personal Information, which TIA undertakes will be done in accordance with the said notice.