Job Role Overview
We are seeking a Strategic Innovations Officer, a champion of the commercialization of research, and one with a proven track record in taking ideas to market; to spearhead the University’s commitment to innovation, entrepreneurship, and societal impact. This pivotal role will involve nurturing talent from across our faculties, forging links with industry partners, and creating pathways that turn academic discovery into real-world solutions.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Assist in the day-to-day management of the innovation pipeline, from idea generation through to implementation.
- Support the coordination of innovation workshops, brainstorming sessions, and hackathons.
- Provide innovation support to Innovation Hubs by facilitating Design Thinking workshops and Innovation Labs for future products and services.
- Maintain and update the innovation project database, tracking progress, milestones, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
- Assist in managing intellectual property (IP) documentation and liaise with legal or patent professionals as required.
- Support donor communication and contribute to the preparation of research proposals, grant applications, and project reports.
- Support the preparation of technical documentation, including standard operating procedures (SOPs) and Innovation.
- Support product management process in extracting, designing, and implementing innovation pipeline.
- Support the selection process of internal and external key partners for innovation development, support collaboration and execution.
- Act as the central point of contact for innovation project-related inquiries.
- Plan and coordinate meetings, workshops, seminars, and events.
Qualifications and Experience
- A Masters and Bachelors degree in Business Management, International Business Relations, Information Technology, Entrepreneurship, Innovation Management, Statistics, Social Sciences or a related field from an accredited University.
- At least 3 years of experience in innovation management, or project administration in an academic, research, or innovation-driven environment.
- Certifications in innovations management, Design Thinking, Agile, or Lean Startup are highly regarded.
- Proficiency in innovation management platforms (e.g., IdeaScale, Trello), data analysis software (e.g., SQL, Tableau, Python), and collaboration tools (e.g., Miro).
- Understanding of emerging technology trends (e.g., AI, machine learning, robotics, IoT) to evaluate their applicability for new product development or process improvement.
- Strong understanding of research processes, innovation ecosystems, and knowledge transfer practices.
- Familiarity with innovation funding mechanisms, grant management, and reporting requirements.
- Knowledge in innovation methodologies including design thinking, and Scenario planning.
- Excellent organisational and event planning skills, with proven ability to plan, coordinate, and execute meetings, seminars, workshops, and innovation-related events.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
