"Associate Director, DFM Client Solutions and Innovation Services"

• Come join Swinburne Design Factory Melbourne 
• Part-time, fixed-term (0.6 FTE) role until Jan 2028 at our Hawthorn campus
• HEW 10 + 17% super and attractive staff benefits

About the Role

Swinburne University of Technology is seeking a commercially minded Associate Director, Client Solutions & Innovation Services to lead and scale the next phase of Design Factory Melbourne’s industry-facing innovation portfolio.

Reporting to the Director, Design Factory Melbourne, this senior role will drive revenue growth, build executive-level partnerships, and design new commercially viable innovation services aligned to Ad Astra 2030. You will lead external client strategy, progress high-value negotiations, and position DFM as a trusted partner for industry and government solving complex, real-world challenges. 

This opportunity suits an experienced innovation or consulting leader with strong industry networks, proven commercial acumen, and a passion for design-led transformation. You’ll work at the intersection of strategy, partnerships and delivery - shaping services that create measurable impact while building long-term sustainability for DFM.

About You

To be suitable for this role you will need to have experience in the below key accountabilities: 

• Demonstrated networking, client leadership, advisory and/or consulting experience
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing commercial strategies, including revenue planning, financial forecasting, market analysis, and conversion of commercial pipelines.
• Proven ability to lead high-value negotiations, shape commercial terms, and progress strategic bids.
• Excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills and an ability to liaise effectively with a wide variety of industry stakeholders, staff and students.
• Demonstrated leadership of substantive projects with clients including actionable business strategies, plans and services that deliver growth.
• A strategic mindset to manage industry opportunities and experience in lead conversion. 

Qualifications

Postgraduate qualifications and extensive relevant experience; or extensive leadership and management experience and proven management expertise; or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training.

About Swinburne University of Technology

Swinburne’s strategy draws upon our understanding of future challenges as we choose to build Swinburne as the prototype of a new and different university - one that is truly of Technology, of Innovation and of Entrepreneurship. Our Ad Astra strategy is the cornerstone of this bold ambition, positioning us to lead globally in technology-driven education and research through a differentiated university proposition that creates transformative solutions, empowers learners, and partners with industry to thrive in an ever-changing world.

What We Offer You

• Work your way with flexible working arrangements, including hybrid options and generous parental leave to support a balanced lifestyle. 
• Exclusive staff discounts, including discounted Medibank health insurance, 50% off Swinburne courses and other partner offers.
• Swinburne offers 17% super and salary packaging options, including car leasing and extra super contributions.

Want to learn more? Head over to our benefits page.

To Apply

Please submit your CV and cover letter addressing the Key Selection Criteria and your suitability for this position. 

To review the Position Description and to apply, please scroll down to the bottom of the page.

If you are viewing this advert from an external site, please click ‘apply’ and you will be redirected to Swinburne’s Jobs website to access the Position Description at the bottom of the page.

Please Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children Check.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application, please contact the Swinburne Talent Acquisition Team on talentacquisition@swin.edu.au

Applications Close: 11pm, Tuesday 3rd March 2026

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Swinburne has become a world-class university, driving social and economic impacts through science, technology, and innovation. As a dual-sector university, our vision is for people and technology working together to build a better world.

Central to our vision is our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We pride ourselves on being an equal opportunity employer focused on attracting, retaining, and developing great talent. We work to remove barriers related to gender identity, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, and age.

We strongly encourage applicants from diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Our Moondani Toombadool Centre leads our Indigenous education and culture at Swinburne, guided by community wisdom and leadership.

We support applicants with disabilities. Adjustments can be requested at any time during the recruitment process. For Reasonable Adjustment requests, including accessible formats for the PD, application form or any other document, please contact DCR@swin.edu.au or call +61 3 9214 3550.

Please note the above number and DCR email address are for disability or reasonable adjustments queries only. General enquiries about the role can be sent to talentacquisition@swin.edu.au (general enquiries will not be answered by phone).

As a signatory to Victoria’s Commitment to Action, Swinburne seeks to remove barriers to international graduate employment. We welcome and encourage applications from international graduates. 

As a Circle Back Initiative Employer, we commit to responding to every applicant.

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