Innovation Programmes Lead

About the University

Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s leading university with an annual turnover of $1.6 billion, including research revenue exceeding $300 million, spanning eight faculties and two research institutes. It employs over 9,000 staff and educates 50,000 students, making it one of the country’s most extensive and complex institutions.

Role Overview

This is a prime opportunity to join the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) at a dynamic time. The Innovation Programmes Lead will oversee CIE’s suite of programs designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurial skills among students, researchers, and staff. The position involves cultivating interdisciplinary mindsets and capabilities to identify opportunities, manage uncertainty, experiment, and drive meaningful change.

This leadership position commands a multidisciplinary team, including the Technology & Prototyping unit, ensuring coherence and excellence in a portfolio that combines experiential learning, professional development, and practical experimentation.

The incumbent will evaluate and refine existing programs, deciding which to enhance, expand, develop further, or discontinue to align with CIE’s strategic priorities, emphasizing capability development at scale. CIE’s Venture & Founder Development team handles those progressing ideas into ventures.

As part of the CIE Leadership Team, this role carries shared accountability for strategy, performance, culture, and organizational growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct the strategic planning, execution, and ongoing enhancement of CIE’s innovation and entrepreneurship program portfolio.
• Lead and nurture a multidisciplinary team to foster disciplined, high-quality delivery.
• Ensure inclusive, impactful experiential learning opportunities reach a wide university audience.
• Forge strong collaborations with academics, practitioners, and partners, leveraging expert knowledge and leading practices.
• Utilize data, participant feedback, and evaluations to guide portfolio decisions and quality improvements.
• Promote integration across programs within CIE and partnerships throughout the University.

About the Team

CIE is the University's hub for cultivating innovators and entrepreneurs, supporting students, researchers, and staff in developing capabilities to transform ideas and create diverse impacts locally and globally. CIE is expanding its reach and influence with an ambitious strategy that supports Waipapa Taumata Rau’s goal to be a global leader in innovation and entrepreneurship.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate excels in managing people and complex program portfolios, combining strategic acumen with exceptional organizational and execution skills. They thrive in dynamic conditions, balancing multiple initiatives while setting clear priorities and rhythms to maximize team performance.

This person anticipates challenges, translates strategy into cohesive, high-impact programs, and remains connected to operational delivery to monitor quality and intervene when necessary, empowering their team to succeed.

Strong relationship-building skills enable working effectively with academics, leadership, and external partners to align perspectives and convert collaborations into tangible outcomes.

Collaboration at the organizational leadership level is essential, contributing expertise while embracing diverse opinions and collective responsibility for CIE’s success.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Proven leadership in innovation, entrepreneurship, professional development, or learning capability programs.
• Track record of leading and growing high-performing, collaborative teams.
• Excellent skills in long-term planning and managing complex, multi-program portfolios in fast-paced settings.
• Solid understanding of innovation and entrepreneurship, especially experiential learning techniques.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing capabilities with credibility across academic and professional environments.
• Good strategic judgment to execute organizational priorities effectively using data and feedback.
• Capability to oversee a technical Technology & Prototyping function, including managing infrastructure, health and safety, and operational risks, while relying on team expertise.
• Experience handling budgets, resources, and operational plans.
• A relevant tertiary qualification in innovation, entrepreneurship, business, education, management, or related disciplines.

Additional experience within tertiary education, research, innovation, or entrepreneurship ecosystems is advantageous, especially understanding the context of a research-led university including educational quality and varied stakeholder motivations.

Additional Information

• This permanent, full-time role requires working 37.5 hours per week with flexibility to work evenings and occasional weekends due to program and event demands.
• The salary range is from NZD $114,400 to $140,000 annually, based on experience and skills.
• The University fosters a supportive work environment with benefits such as flexible work practices, a 6.75% employer superannuation scheme, five weeks’ annual leave, career development programs, discounted parking, parental leave provisions, childcare support, and other discounts.

Equity Commitment

The University upholds commitments to the Treaty of Waitangi and equity for all staff and students, promoting a secure, inclusive, and equitable workplace respecting diverse communities. Various support services are available for different needs and circumstances.