Business Manager

Job Description:

The Opportunity

The Technology Translation Squad (TTS), within the School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, is seeking a Business Manager to provide strategic, operational, and business management support for high-impact technology translation activities. Working closely with the Lead Technology Translator, you will play a key role in shaping and delivering the strategy and business operations of the TTS, enabling initiatives aligned to the Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE) program and driving commercialisation outcomes and industry engagement. This role offers the opportunity to translate strategic objectives into effective operational plans, lead financial and resource management, and establish robust governance and business systems within a complex, fast-paced innovation environment.

In this role, you will support the Technology Translation Squad (TTS), a team of electrical engineering experts delivering rapid technical solutions to start-ups, small to medium enterprises (SMEs), and industry partners tackling challenges in clean energy and recycling. The TTS supports organisations as they progress through Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), offering short-term technical assistance and ongoing engagement models. As a first-of-its-kind initiative in Australia, the TTS is redefining how universities collaborate with industry to deliver meaningful, real-world impact. For more information on the TTS please visit: www.technologytranslationsquad.com

The role reports to the Lead Technology Translator and has no direct reports.

• Salary, Level 8 Step 1 to 3: $127,351 to $135,421 per annum + 17% superannuation (Pro-rated to 0.6 FTE)
• Part time – 0.6 FTE (21 hours per week)
• Fixed term contract – 12 months
• Location: Kensington – Sydney, Australia
• Flexible working options

About UNSW

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. 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 the reason we’re one of the top 50 universities in the world and a member of Australia’s prestigious Group of Eight. If you want a career where you can thrive, be challenged and do meaningful work, you’re in the right place.

The TTS is funded by the Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE) Program, hosted by the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in partnership with the University of Newcastle and numerous industry collaborators. TRaCE is a $280 million initiative accelerating research, commercialisation, and innovation in sustainable recycling and clean energy solutions through to 2026–27. As a pioneering national program, TRaCE aims to accelerate Australia’s transition to a circular economy and a net-zero future. By bringing together leading researchers, industry partners, and policymakers, TRaCE drives innovation in sustainable materials, advanced recycling technologies, and clean energy solutions. The program champions collaborative research and real-world impact, paving the way for transformative breakthroughs that benefit both the environment and the economy. For more information on TRaCE please visit - https://www.smart.unsw.edu.au/research-programs/trailblazer-recycling-and-clean-energy

The UNSW School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications is the largest school of its kind in Australia and is internationally recognised for its research and education excellence. Since its establishment in the mid-20th century, the School has contributed significantly to the development of electrical engineering in Australia and globally. It is a prominent school within the UNSW Faculty of Engineering, offering a broad range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs and collaborating closely with industry and research partners. For further information, please visit: https://www.unsw.edu.au/engineering/our-schools/electrical-engineering-telecommunications

Skills and Experience

• Postgraduate qualifications or extensive relevant experience in business management, commercialisation, innovation, operations or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training and professional experience.
• Extensive experience leading complex business, operational, project or program functions within large, complex or highly specialised organisations, ideally in research, innovation, technology or university environments.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing and implementing systems, policies, governance structures and operational frameworks that support strategic, high-impact outcomes.
• Advanced financial management capability, including forecasting, modelling, scenario analysis, budget development and strategic financial planning.
• Proven experience developing complex business cases, investment proposals and funding submissions, with the ability to analyse data, evaluate options and prepare high-quality advice for senior audiences.
• Highly developed capability in leading process and system improvements, including redesigning workflows, implementing new operational methodologies and driving change across multiple stakeholders.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement, negotiation and relationship-management skills, with experience interacting with senior leaders, government, industry, research partners and cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex, multi-stream projects or operational portfolios, including setting priorities, managing deadlines and resolving issues with minimal direction.
• High-level written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to prepare strategic papers, governance documents, business analyses, presentations and external engagement materials.
• Strong experience leading organisational improvement initiatives, identifying risks, analysing operational challenges, developing solutions and monitoring implementation impacts.
• Advanced digital and data literacy, including the ability to work with complex datasets, enterprise systems and digital tools to support evidence-based decision-making.
• Comprehensive understanding of organisational policies, governance structures, risk management frameworks and regulatory contexts, with the ability to interpret and apply them in complex or ambiguous situations.
• Commitment to UNSW’s values, objectives and ethical standards, contributing to the creation of safe, inclusive and high-performing work environments.
• Awareness of health, safety, psychosocial and physical wellbeing responsibilities, and the ability to apply safe systems of work across all operational activities.

Additional details about the specific responsibilities for this position can be found in the position description. This is available via JOBS@UNSW.

Pre-Employment Checks

Aligned with UNSW’s focus on cultivating a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct, and strong integrity, preferred candidates will be required to participate in a combination of pre-employment checks relevant to the role they have applied for.

These pre-employment checks may include a combination of some of the following checks:

• National and International Criminal history checks
• Entitlement to work and ID checks
• Working With Children Checks
• Completion of a Gender-Based Violence Prevention Declaration
• Verification of relevant qualifications
• Verification of relevant professional membership
• Employment history and reference checks
• Financial responsibility assessments/checks.
• Medical Checks and Assessments

Compliance with the necessary combination of these checks is a condition of employment at UNSW.

To Apply:

Please click the apply now button and submit your CV, Cover Letter and complete the application form.

Applicants must have working rights in Australia and be able to be on site in Kensington regularly. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Please note applications will not be accepted if sent to the contact listed below.

Contact:

For role-specific inquiries, please contact Matthew Priestley (Lead Technology Translator)

E: m.priestley@unsw.edu.au

For questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact Eugene Aves (Talent Acquisition Partner)

E: eugene.aves@unsw.edu.au

Applications close: 11:55 pm (Sydney time) on Wednesday 29 April 2026