Program Manager, Accelerator & Flagship Initiatives

Join Innovation & Enterprise at Swinburne University

Fixed-term position, until June 2028 at our Hawthorn campus

HEW 9 + 17% super and attractive staff benefits

About the Role

We are seeking a dynamic and highly capable Program Manager to lead the design and delivery of Swinburne’s Climate 4.0 Hub Accelerator and flagship innovation programs. Based within Innovation & Enterprise, this role will drive high-impact initiatives that connect research, industry, investors and government to accelerate climate technology and research translation outcomes.

A key priority will be delivering the inaugural Climate 4.0 Hub Accelerator—part of the France-Australia Indo-Pacific Centre for Energy Transition (FACET)—supporting five French climate tech startups to enter and scale in the Australian market. You will operate at the forefront of deep tech innovation, working closely with founders, researchers, industry partners and global stakeholders.

This is a unique opportunity to lead end-to-end program delivery in a complex, high-profile environment—shaping globally connected innovation programs, building partnerships, and driving meaningful impact in climate transition and commercialisation.

The role is directly aligned to the delivery of defined, externally funded and time-bound programs within the Climate 4.0 Hub and associated flagship initiatives.

About You

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

• Demonstrated experience designing and delivering startup accelerator, incubator, or venture programs, with end-to-end responsibility across program design, cohort recruitment, delivery, showcase, alumni engagement, and program content (e.g. workshops, expert panels, pitch preparation, and milestone events), particularly for early-stage or deep tech ventures.
• Experience delivering programs for research-led, deep tech, or science-based startups, including an understanding of commercialisation pathways, market entry challenges, and founder capability development needs.
• Demonstrated ability to design and run structured mentor programs (including sourcing, matching, and measuring impact), alongside strong engagement with the climate technology, clean energy, or sustainability ecosystem — including connecting founders with relevant experts, researchers and industry partners, and facilitating pilot opportunities, proof-of-concept projects or commercial introductions.
• Proven experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder programs with time-sensitive milestones, including strong project management capability (planning, risk, scheduling and delivery) and maintaining a high standard of participant experience.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate cross-cultural and international programs, with sensitivity to the needs of participants relocating for or engaging remotely in a program.
• French language proficiency (spoken and written), enabling direct communication and relationship-building with French-speaking founders and ecosystem partners. (Preferable)

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualifications in program management, innovation, entrepreneurship, or a relevant technical field and extensive relevant experience expertise.

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 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: 12pm, Thursday 4 June 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, and reasonable adjustments can be requested at any stage of the recruitment process. For reasonable adjustment requests - including accessible formats of the position description, application form, or other documents, please contact talentacquisition@swin.edu.au or call +61 3 9214 3550.

Please note: this phone number is for disability and reasonable adjustment enquiries only. General enquiries about the role can also be emailed to talentacquisition@swin.edu.au.

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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