Innovation Programmes Lead

Short Summary

Innovation Programmes Lead with University of Auckland. Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity This is an exciting time to join innovation and entrepreneurship at Waipapa Taumata Rau. As Innovation Programmes Lead, you will lead CIE’s portfolio of programmes that develop innovation and entrepreneurial capability in students, researchers and staff. You will shape how people from across disciplines develop the mindsets, skills…

Key Details

• Position / opportunity: Innovation Programmes Lead
• Organization: University of Auckland
• Country / coverage: New Zealand
• Location: Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
• Work arrangement: On-site
• Opportunity type: Jobs
• Sector: Education
• Compensation: Not specified
• Duration: Not specified
• Start date: 2026-08-24
• Application deadline: Not specified

Description

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity This is an exciting time to join innovation and entrepreneurship at Waipapa Taumata Rau. As Innovation Programmes Lead, you will lead CIE’s portfolio of programmes that develop innovation and entrepreneurial capability in students, researchers and staff. You will shape how people from across disciplines develop the mindsets, skills and practical capabilities to recognise opportunities, navigate uncertainty, experiment and create meaningful change. This is a people and portfolio leadership role. You will lead a multidisciplinary team, including CIE’s Technology & Prototyping function, and bring coherence and quality across a diverse portfolio of experiential programmes, professional development and hands-on experimentation. You will build on strong existing programmes while making informed choices about what should be strengthened, evolved, scaled, developed or retired to deliver CIE’s strategy. The focus is developing people and innovation capability at scale; CIE’s dedicated Venture & Founder Development team leads the pathway for those who choose to progress ideas into venture creation. As a member of the CIE Leadership Team, you will also share responsibility for CIE’s overall strategy, performance, culture and organisational development. You will: Lead the strategic development, delivery and continuous improvement of CIE’s innovation and entrepreneurship programme portfolio. Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team and create the conditions for high-quality, disciplined delivery. Ensure programmes provide high-quality experiential learning for diverse audiences across the University. Build strong relationships with academics, practitioners and University partners, drawing on relevant expertise and leading practice. Use evidence, participant insight and evaluation to inform portfolio decisions and continuously improve quality and impact. Strengthen connections across programmes and with other opportunities across CIE and the wider University. This is a full-time (37.5 hours per week), permanent role. This is a salary band I role with a salary range from $114,400 pa up to $140,000 pa depending on skills and experience. The nature of CIE’s programmes and events means the role requires flexibility to work outside normal business hours, including evening work as required and occasional weekend work. For more detailed information, please refer to the Position Description . Mō tō mātou rōpū | About the team The Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) is Waipapa Taumata Rau’s platform for developing the innovators, entrepreneurs and changemakers of the future. We work across the University to help students, researchers and staff build innovation and entrepreneurial capability, turn ideas into action, develop ventures, and create social, cultural, environmental and economic impact for Aotearoa and the world. CIE is entering an exciting new chapter. With an ambitious new strategy, we are significantly increasing the reach and impact of innovation and entrepreneurship across the University, helping realise Waipapa Taumata Rau’s ambition to be a global powerhouse of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship, and strengthening the University’s contribution to a more innovative and prosperous Aotearoa. We are building a team of people who are curious, collaborative, ambitious for impact and committed to turning ambition into action. If you want to help shape how a world-class research-led university develops innovative and entrepreneurial people, we would love to hear from you. He kōrero mōu | About you You are an experienced people and programme leader who combines strategic thinking with exceptional planning, organisation and execution. You thrive in a fast-paced and varied environment and can lead a busy portfolio serving diverse audiences, while establishing the clarity, priorities and operating rhythm that enable your team to perform at its best. You think ahead, anticipate dependencies and pressure points, and know how to translate strategy into a coherent portfolio of high-quality programmes and experiences. You remain close enough to delivery to understand what is working…

Responsibilities

• Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity This is an exciting time to join innovation and entrepreneurship at Waipapa Taumata Rau.
• As Innovation Programmes Lead, you will lead CIE’s portfolio of programmes that develop innovation and entrepreneurial capability in students, researchers and staff.
• You will shape how people from across disciplines develop the mindsets, skills and practical capabilities to recognise opportunities, navigate uncertainty, experiment and create meaningful change.
• This is a people and portfolio leadership role.
• You will lead a multidisciplinary team, including CIE’s Technology & Prototyping function, and bring coherence and quality across a diverse portfolio of experiential programmes, professional development and hands-on experimentation.
• You will build on strong existing programmes while making informed choices about what should be strengthened, evolved, scaled, developed or retired to deliver CIE’s strategy.

Requirements / Eligibility

• You are an experienced people and programme leader who combines strategic thinking with exceptional planning, organisation and execution.
• You thrive in a fast-paced and varied environment and can lead a busy portfolio serving diverse audiences, while establishing the clarity, priorities and operating rhythm that enable your team to perform at its best.
• You think ahead, anticipate dependencies and pressure points, and know how to translate strategy into a coherent portfolio of high-quality programmes and experiences.
• You remain close enough to delivery to understand what is working…

How To Apply

Use the Apply now button and follow the instructions on the application page.