Accelerate a pipeline of disruptive technologies
Unique opportunity to establish the first fully integrated ecosystem for recycling and clean energy in Australia.
Executive Director (ATRaCE) Opportunity
The Australian Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (ATRaCE), awarded by the flagship Commonwealth Government Trailblazer Universities Program to the University of New South Wales and University of Newcastle, aims to accelerate a pipeline of disruptive technologies out of the lab and into local manufacturing and global deployment. The $280M program spans the innovation lifecycle, from research and development through to de-risking, demonstration, deployment, and manufacturing, and is underpinned by critical workforce skills, cultural change, and university workplace reform. ATRaCE will create 52 new patents, bring 63 new products to market, stimulate up to 5,200 jobs, avoid 180MT greenhouse gas emissions and contribute up to $15bn to GDP.
Message from the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research
The Trailblazer Universities Program provides dedicated investment to accelerate Australia’s innovation agenda at-speed and at-scale, with a commitment to supercharge world-leading sovereign capability. Through this initiative the Australian Government and collaborating industry partners will provide additional capacity to focus on the problems that matter to the nation by driving research excellence and real-world impact.
UNSW Sydney, in close collaboration with the University of Newcastle, has been awarded a new Australian Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (ATRaCE). UNSW and the University of Newcastle are home to globally recognised recycling and clean energy research along with a range of Commonwealth and State Government funded Centres of Excellence and Innovation Hubs that are delivering outstanding outcomes and building a strong pipeline for translation and commercialisation.
We are looking for a foundation Executive Director for ATRaCE: an exceptional, dynamic, and innovative leader to accelerate the translation of our research and oversee culture change and thus ensure our universities are thriving workplaces for commercialisation and industry engagement, enhancing our national and international reputation.
As Executive Director, you will provide strategic leadership and drive the implementation of this flagship government funded and industry backed initiative, and manage the delivery of ambitious KPIs targeting commercial outcomes and critical skills delivery.
What drives us at UNSW and the University of Newcastle is our desire to make the world a better place by continually demonstrating our social and economic value. We aim to create an engaging place to collaborate and do our best work and we hope you’ll consider joining us.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and if you feel you have the passion and drive to lead our Trailblazer and the creativity, enthusiasm, and commitment to contribute to our ongoing success, we would love to hear from you.
Nicholas Fisk
- About you
- Position description
- Terms
- How to apply
We're looking for an outstanding leader with executive experience in management, scientific leadership, research portfolio management, strategic capability planning, business development and commercialisation.
Experience in industry and/or university environments, with proven performance in successfully engaging with senior academic research experts and industry partners, including high-level prioritisation and decision making, is highly desirable.
To be successful in this role you'll require demonstrated excellence in leadership, judgement, influencing and persuasion. Advanced knowledge of commercialising research and translating new technologies, and an excellent understanding of university academic culture, innovation and commercialisation for medium to high Technology Readiness Levels, particularly relevant in the recycling and clean energy domain, is critical. You'll have demonstrated experience in and capacity for building relationships and sustaining collaboration with government, industry and community through stakeholder engagement.
Tertiary qualifications at a postgraduate level in a related area of engineering, science or management are an essential requirement.
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The Executive Director, ATRaCE is a senior executive leadership position with direct responsibility for the delivery of the ATRaCE program.
This role will lead and manage the establishment, development and strategic operation of ATRaCE across both UNSW Sydney and the University of Newcastle. It will require high level engagement with senior leaders from a diversity of private and public sector organisations working across research, commercialisation and critical skills delivery. In collaboration with the executive team of each university, this role will shape the university reform agenda required by the Commonwealth for Trailblazer Universities, including university culture transformation, industry-education gateway and IP innovations.
The role works in close collaboration with ATRaCE Research and Activity Theme leaders and UNSW and University of Newcastle stakeholders in Research and Enterprise, Knowledge Exchange, Entrepreneurship, Education, Estate Management, Finance, Legal, Precincts and Risk, as well as relevant faculties.
The role sits within the Division of Research and Enterprise with a formal reporting line to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Enterprise as well as key accountability to the ATRaCE Governance Board. The role will have at least three direct reports plus ~10 indirect reports embedded within each of the universities.
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Skills
- Demonstrated excellence in leadership, judgement and decision making, influencing and persuasion.
- Demonstrated skills in, or advanced knowledge of, commercialising research and translation of new technologies from lab to market.
- Excellent understanding and knowledge of university academic culture, innovation and commercialisation for medium to high Technology Readiness Levels, particularly relevant in the recycling and clean energy domain.
- Demonstrated ability and experience in building relationships and sustaining collaboration with government, industry, community and/or stakeholder management.
- Proven business development experience in developing networks, building and converting a pipeline of leads and commercial engagements.
- Demonstrated project management skills, including the ability to plan, prioritise, research, implement, monitor and evaluate.
- High level analytical skills to monitor global innovation trends, research and analyse data to drive strategic innovation.
- Exceptional interpersonal, communication and influencing skills with the ability to communicate with a wide and diverse range of stakeholders and demonstrated experience in preparing proposals and pitches.
- Proven ability to partner and work in a collaborative environment, leveraging the expertise of a broader group, to deliver successful outcomes.
- Empathy in speaking, listening, responding and providing feedback to others.
- Knowledge of health and safety responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.
Experience
- Extensive experience in a senior leadership/executive role related to research commercialisation. innovation and partnerships.
- Experience in working with the public and private sectors, in particular in relation to research, funding and commercialisation.
- Tertiary qualifications at a postgraduate level in a related area of engineering, science or management
- Formal qualifications in business and/or commercialisation would be highly regarded.
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As places of great inspiration and innovation, Australian universities are crucial intellectual environments where knowledge is created, communicated, and challenged. In partnership with government and business, academic research and technologies help to develop vital industries. In addition, Australian universities provide students with the skills to compete in increasingly global workplaces and are ourselves major employers.
Universities are key to Australia’s economic success. In 2018, Australian universities contributed $41 billion to the economy and supported a total of 259,100 full time jobs. In addition, 1,426,594 students studied at Australia’s 39 universities in 2018. Of these, 71 per cent (or 1,014,027) were domestic students and the remaining 29 per cent (or 412,567) were international students. In the same year, 325,171 students completed their degrees.[1]
When it comes to world university rankings, Australia has a strong, proven track record. Across all global ranking systems, criteria and fields of study, Australia ranks highly for quality of education, student satisfaction, and global reputation. The latest ranking shows more than eight Australian universities are ranked in the top 200 universities and almost two-thirds of Australia’s 39 universities are in the top 500.[2] In addition, Australia consistently ranks highly in the Universitas 21 Report – in 2020, it ranked ninth.[3]
Australian university students pursue a wide range of academic disciplines, from health and education to engineering and information technology. While the majority of students study full-time, others balance a part-time load with family or work responsibilities and, in the current environment, many combine on-campus and online study for maximum flexibility.
International education is Australia’s fourth largest export and the largest services export industry. In 2019, the industry generated $40.3 billion in export income. The higher education sector contributed around 70 per cent (or $27.8 billion) of international education export income in 2019.[4]
The 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) national report, which provides information of the quality of research undertaken by Australian universities, assessed that over 90 per cent of Australian university research was performing at, or above world standards in 2018.[5]
UNSW is a founding member of the Group of Eight (Go8), a coalition of Australia’s leading research-intensive universities, and the prestigious Universitas 21 international network. In world rankings Go8 universities are consistently the highest ranked in Australia. Seven of the Go8’s members are in the world’s top 100 universities and all Go8 members are ranked in the world’s top 150 universities: in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the Times Higher Education Rankings (THES) and the QS World University Rankings (QS).[6]
[1] 2020, Universities Australia 2020 Higher Education Facts and Figures
[2] 2020, Universities Australia 2020 Higher Education Facts and Figures
[3] 2020, Universities Australia 2020 Higher Education Facts and Figures
[4] 2020, Universities Australia 2020 Higher Education Facts and Figures
[5] 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) 2018 report, produced by the Australian Research Council (ARC
[6] Group of Eight, Australia -
Sydney was recently ranked the 6th best city in the world to live and work in by Global Finance magazine. With world-famous beaches and a thriving arts, music, and food scene full of cultural communities to immerse yourself in, our coastal city is not just a destination, but a life experience.
Coastal living
It’s easy to see why the sunshine and coastline of Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs beaches attract so many visitors, and UNSW’s Kensington campus sits right next door. It’s less than 30 minutes from campus to Bondi by car or bus, or just 10 minutes to Coogee.
If the beach isn’t your thing, we’re 5 minutes from beautiful Centennial Park or a short stroll to Randwick’s buzzing shops, cafés and restaurants.
Expand your network
Sydney’s the financial capital of Australia, and our international city is home to many global firms and offers countless opportunities to gain experience, meet people and build your networks.
A city for students
Sydney was ranked as the 8th best student city in the world in the QS Best Student Cities Index 2022. Our large and inclusive student community benefits from Sydney’s unique blend of outdoor and metropolitan lifestyles. Sydney offers a diverse range of opportunities for employment after graduation.
Something for everyone
There’s always something to do in Sydney, whether you’re flying solo or you’re looking for something the whole family can enjoy. You can find the best swimming, snorkelling and surfing spots or watch a film at the local Randwick cinema – one of the cheapest in Sydney. Ride a bike around Centennial Park, stop for a picnic, or enjoy an Aussie BBQ with new friends.
Sydney is also home to a number of incredible annual events, including Vivid Sydney, a festival of light, music and ideas, the New Year’s Eve Fireworks (possibly the most famous fireworks display in the world), and Taste of Sydney - an annual festival celebrating food and culture.
University of Newcastle
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Specific accountabilities for this role include:
- Lead the ATRaCE business unit and manage all aspects of the establishment and operation of ATRaCE including collaborative arrangements with University of Newcastle.
- Compliance with contractual obligations to the Commonwealth and partner organisations including milestone and financial reporting.
- Develop and implement relevant business and strategic plans and associated KPIs/Deliverables for ATRaCE including research and commercialisation, critical skills delivery, innovator programs, marketing and communication, and university workplace reform/culture change.
- In consultation with relevant UNSW and University of Newcastle business units, drive and embed cultural reform to achieve the objectives of the Trailblazer Universities Program.
- Develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships and build links with key individuals, groups, industry, organisations, the academic and Government sectors, researchers and research users.
- Effectively manage the resources of ATRaCE including budgeting and financial reporting.
- Ensure compliance with all statutory, legal and contractual obligations.
- Advise and keep UNSW management and the Governance Board informed on governance, performance, risk and other relevant matters.
- Identify opportunities, develop and implement business development strategies particularly on the sustainability of ATRaCE beyond the period of Commonwealth funding.
- In consultation with UNSW and University of Newcastle ensure management and protection of Intellectual Property.
- Attend Governance Board and committee meetings as ex-officio member.
- Achievement of KPIs as set and revised annually by UNSW and the Governance Board.
- Represent and promote ATRaCE at internal and external events and with relevant stakeholders.
- Leadership in implementation of equity, diversion and inclusion principles.
- Align with and actively demonstrate the UNSW Values in Action: Our Behaviours and the UNSW Code of Conduct.
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We will offer the successful candidate a salary package commensurate with the position responsibilities and the candidate’s skills, qualifications, and experience.
All of our employees (excluding casuals) are entitled to receive 17% employer superannuation contributions. New employees are entitled to select their preferred Superannuation fund or UniSuper, the industry fund for the Tertiary Education sector.
Our salary sacrificing initiatives allow you to pay some or all of the offering before tax.
We also offer the option to salary package a fully maintained vehicle under a lease known as a novated lease. Car parking is available on campus with the ability to pay via fortnightly payroll salary sacrifice deductions.
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Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all required pre-employment or background checks. In addition, your ongoing employment is based upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements.
UNSW requires that all employees have eligible working rights within Australia. As one of Australia’s top employers, we understand that some candidates may benefit from support to relocate and join our university.
If you are offered a position at the university and are not an Australian citizen or Permanent Resident, the university may be able to assist with sponsorship arrangements. This includes obtaining the appropriate visa to allow you to work at UNSW.
The type of visa arrangement would depend on the length of your appointment at UNSW. Our external providers, Visa Lawyers Australia, will initially make that assessment of your application on behalf of UNSW and the UNSW Recruitment team will also guide you through this process.
We may also offer financial assistance to successful candidates who are required to move from their current residence in order to take an appointment at UNSW.
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UNSW isn’t like other places you’ve worked. Yes, we’re a large organisation with a diverse and talented community; a community doing extraordinary things. But what makes us different isn’t only what we do, it’s how we do it. Together, we are driven to be thoughtful, practical, and purposeful in all we do.
Taking this combined approach is what makes our work matter. It’s why we come to campus each day.
We make it as easy as possible for our staff to have a rich and balanced life at work and home. As part of our approach to flexible working, we have introduced greater flexibility across location, hours, full-time equivalents, schedules, and job sharing.
In terms of other benefits, we offer various types of leave, lifelong learning, discounts, entitlements, health and wellbeing support. Further information can be found on Jobs@UNSW.
In your application, please address the criteria outlined in the Position Description.
For further information or a confidential discussion regarding this role please contact:
Larry Little on +61 419 208 113 or email: larry@kennedyaustin.com
Vicki Austin on +61 431 007 000 or email: vicki@kennedyaustin.com
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. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff. The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.
