Innovation Platform Lead (LPII)

• Join the dynamic and innovative Swinburne Design Factory!
• Fulltime, 2-year fixed term position at our Hawthorn campus
• HEW 9 salary + 17% super

About the Role

The Innovation Platform Lead (LPII) is responsible for delivering Swinburne’s Learner Powered Industry Innovation (LPII) platform as a major, university-wide innovation, design and delivery function. The role leads and manages the platform using design-led, skunkworks and innovation studio approaches, bringing together students from diverse disciplines with academic and professional staff to address complex industry, government and community challenges.

Operating with a high degree of autonomy, the Innovation Platform Lead oversees the development and delivery of the platform’s program of work. This includes managing client projects, shaping high-quality student experiences and building the reputation of the platform through impactful outcomes.

Aligned with Swinburne’s Ad Astra 2030 strategy and Quantum Leap 3: Co-creating Future Industries, the role designs and implements innovative frameworks that integrate work-integrated learning, applied research and industry engagement. Drawing on extensive experience and established practice, the position applies and evolves Swinburne’s innovation and education models to meet emerging industry, technological and societal needs.

The role brings an externally informed perspective on lab, hub and studio models to support a cross-functional, client-facing platform. It is accountable for designing and leading interdisciplinary, student-integrated teams, managing client relationships and contributing to the development of institutional capability, business intelligence and innovation practices aligned with key organisational priorities.

Further information about this role can be found in the attached position description.

About You

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

• Demonstrated experience leading complex innovation programs in a lab or studio involving multiple stakeholders, competing priorities and significant institutional impact.
• Experience in product, systems and service development, working with diverse industry verticals, commercialisation experience to foster new student led ventures, in innovation labs, hubs and like teams
• Codify validated prototypes and or solutions including conversion from project initiation to outcome
• Demonstrated capacity to operate with authority and credibility in complex internal and external environments, including advising senior academic, professional and industry stakeholders.

Qualifications

Degree in Business, Design and or equivalent proven management and leadership experience of academic and or business led transformation for experimental programs of work.

About Swinburne University of Technology

Swinburne’s strategy draws upon our understanding of future challenges. 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. We are committed to a differentiated university proposition in education and research.

Our Ad Astra strategy is the cornerstone of Swinburne’s bold ambition to lead globally in technology-driven education and research. This strategy positions us to create transformative solutions, empower learners, and partner 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 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 by emailing talentacquisition@swin.edu.au.

Applications Close: Sunday 26th April 2026, 11pm

Swinburne offers flexible working options contained in our leave and parenting/carer policies to support work-life balance.

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 at 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 enquires about the role can be sent to talentacquisition@swin.edu.au (general enquires will not be answered by phone).

Victoria’s Commitment to Action: Improving international student employment outcomes.

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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