Manager, UniSC Innovation
- UniSC Innovation | UniSC Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs
- Level 8, $118,986 - $134 756p.a., plus up to 17% employer superannuation
- Full-time (36.25 hours per week), ongoing opportunity
The Opportunity
Are you passionate about startups, scale-ups, emerging technologies, innovation ecosystems and creating opportunities where great ideas create impact?
UniSC is seeking an experienced innovation leader to shape the next phase of UniSC Innovation, including the continued growth of the Collider incubator and the activation of our new Future Skills Labs.
This is more than a program management role. It's an opportunity to build one of Queensland's most connected innovation communities and help create the future of entrepreneurship, industry collaboration and research translation across South East Queensland.
You'll develop a diverse portfolio of innovation and entrepreneurship programs, secure new partnerships and funding opportunities, support high-growth businesses, and create meaningful pathways for industry engagement, skills development and technology adoption.
A key focus of the role will be translating the University's vision for the Future Skills Labs into a vibrant destination where businesses can explore emerging technologies, participate in practical demonstrations, develop workforce capability and collaborate with UniSC researchers and students.
We are looking for someone who thrives on creating connections, spotting opportunities and turning ambitious ideas into practical outcomes. This role offers the rare opportunity to:
- Lead an established university incubator while shaping the next generation of innovation infrastructure.
- Lead an established university incubator while shaping the next generation of innovation infrastructure.
- Build partnerships across startups, scaleups, industry, government and investors.
- Develop new programs, commercial opportunities and funding streams.
- Create lasting impact for businesses, students, researchers and the broader community.
- Influence the growth of Queensland's innovation ecosystem.
You'll bring experience from an innovation precinct, incubator, accelerator, entrepreneurship program, technology hub, innovation consultancy or related environment, together with a passion for helping people and organisations innovate, grow and succeed.
If you're excited by the idea of building thriving innovation communities, supporting entrepreneurs and helping translate ideas into impact, we'd love to hear from you.
For more information, please visit us online: UniSC Innovation
You will
- lead the activation and utilisation of the Future Skills Labs, developing and delivering programs, demonstrations, workshops and industry projects that support University and industry outcomes;
- develop and grow strategic relationships with industry, government, startups, scaleups and ecosystem partners, identifying opportunities for partnerships, funding, sponsorship and commercial activity; and
- lead the effective operation of UniSC Innovation, including team leadership, financial and contract management, resident engagement, program evaluation and reporting, while promoting the University's innovation capability and profile.
About you
You are an experienced innovation, entrepreneurship or business development professional with a proven ability to lead innovation programs, precincts, incubators or accelerators and translate opportunities into meaningful outcomes. You bring a strong understanding of the startup and scaleup ecosystem and the ability to engage confidently with industry, government, researchers, students and other diverse stakeholders.
A strategic and commercially minded leader, you are skilled at developing partnerships, securing funding and managing complex programs within an evolving environment. You combine strong communication and influencing capability with sound financial, operational and people management skills, and are motivated by creating practical opportunities that connect innovation, technology, industry and the University.
You will possess:
- Postgraduate qualifications in business or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience, education and training;
- Demonstrated experience leading an innovation precinct, business incubator or accelerator to significant outcomes for participants and the organisation;
- Significant experience developing and managing innovation programs, facilities or business processes, with experience in the higher education sector desirable;
- Proven ability to build and leverage relationships with industry, government and innovation ecosystem partners, including securing funding, sponsorship and strategic partnerships;
- Well-developed understanding of the startup, scaleup and innovation ecosystem, emerging technologies and contemporary business and funding models; and
- Strong leadership, financial, project and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, and support a small team and advise colleagues across UniSC.
Don't meet every requirement? At UniSC, we understand that your work and life experiences can be just as valuable. If you're excited about this role but your CV doesn't align perfectly with our position description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or one of our many other opportunities.
UniSC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, women in STEM, First Nations Peoples, and individuals of diverse cultures, genders, abilities, and experiences. We value achievement relative to opportunity and encourage your commentary on your achievements in this context. For additional support during the application process, please contact us at unisc-careers@usc.edu.au or call +61 7 5430 2830.
How to apply
All applications must be lodged through our website. To apply please visit our website at: Careers at UniSC
Applications for this position close midnight, Monday 5 October 2026.
Position Description: 
494900_Manager, UniSC Innovation.pdf
Your completed application must include:
- a resume and a statement of suitability (not to exceed two pages), which will be reviewed in alignment to the specified selection criteria as outlined within the position description.
Further information regarding how to prepare your application is available on our website: Join our team.
Have questions or want to know more? For a confidential discussion, please contact:
Paul Martins
Director of Strategic Partnerships - UniSC Innovation
Email: pmartins@usc.edu.au
We would love the opportunity to get to know you better, but we know it works both ways. To get to know a little more about us, visit us at: Welcome to UniSC and LinkedIn Life
UniSC values a diverse and talented workforce and invites applications from candidates who already have legal work rights in Australia.
UniSC does not accept unsolicited applications. For agency inquiries, contact unisc-careers@usc.edu.au
We’re all about doing work that matters, connecting with great people, and being part of an incredible journey. While we’re not the largest university, we are one of the fastest growing in Australia, now with over 2,000 staff across five campuses in South East Queensland and an expanding presence in major capital cities, and we’re making a big impact every day through ground-breaking research, a strong commitment to sustainability, high-performance sport, and award-winning alumni.
We are committed to delivering high-quality research and teaching that address major global and regional challenges, with established and emerging strengths in sustainability, environmental systems, biodiversity, aquaculture, preventative health and regional resilience. Our research excellence is internationally recognised through strong performance in global benchmarking, including leading rankings in the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings for “Zero Hunger,” “Climate Action” and “Life on Land.” UniSC is also recognised for its teaching excellence, with a strong emphasis on student success, innovative and engaging learning experiences, and strong graduate outcomes that equip learners to make meaningful contributions in their chosen fields. As the only university operating within three UNESCO Biosphere Reserves and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, UniSC is uniquely positioned to leverage its natural environment to advance impactful research, teaching and partnerships that support sustainable futures, with sustainability embedded across all aspects of our teaching, research and operations.
We foster a collaborative and supportive environment that encourages continuous professional development and provides the tools and resources to grow your career. We value the contributions of every team member and the role they play in our culture and success. We’re not afraid to do things differently, and we’re looking for people who share our values and want to be part of a team working together to make a meaningful difference to local and global challenges.
Our Culture & Benefits:
- Our collaborative, passionate and welcoming culture is what really sets us apart.
- Modern teaching & research facilities.
- Professional development and career pathway opportunities.
- We are a proud recipient of the prestigious Athena SWAN Bronze Award, granted as part of the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) initiative.
- Flexible work arrangements & generous leave options.
- Salary packing options + 17% Super.
- EAP, fitness passport & discounted private health.
