Senior Manager, Commercialisation

Job Description:

• Full time, Continuing Appointment / Hybrid work model supported
• Position based at La Trobe University’s Bundoora Campus
• Salary range $148,049 - $156,840 plus 17% superannuation and a range of employee benefits
• Lead the development of a strong innovation and commercialisation pipeline to maximise research impact and industry income across multiple markets

About the position

La Trobe University is a leading Australian research institution with a global reputation for academic excellence, innovation and impact. Through its Eagleworks Innovation Centre, the University brings together researchers, industry partners, start‑ups and students to translate research into real‑world outcomes. With a strong focus on Health & Wellness and Food & Agriculture, underpinned by digital technologies, La Trobe is committed to strengthening industry collaboration and driving economic and community impact across metropolitan and regional Victoria.

The Senior Manager, Commercialisation plays a critical role in advancing La Trobe’s commercialisation agenda by partnering closely with researchers, business development teams and industry stakeholders. Reporting to the Director, Commercialisation, New Ventures and Investment, this role is responsible for building and progressing a strong pipeline of commercialisation opportunities, supporting the strategic management of commercialisation funding and leading programs that foster innovation and entrepreneurship across the University’s research community.

Some of your duties will include:

• Lead and grow La Trobe’s commercialisation capability, providing senior leadership and mentoring within a collaborative, matrixed environment.
• Drive venture creation and investment outcomes, including spin‑outs, deal structuring and early‑stage investment pathways.
• Translate research into real‑world impact, leading the end‑to‑end commercialisation of intellectual property across priority research domains.
• Build and manage a strong commercialisation pipeline, delivering measurable outcomes across licensing, investment, spin‑outs and industry income.
• Provide senior commercial and governance expertise, supporting informed decision making, risk management and investment oversight.
• Activate a vibrant innovation ecosystem, building strong partnerships with researchers, industry, investors and government to deliver impact through Eagleworks.

As the successful applicant, you will have:

• A postgraduate qualification in Engineering, Computer Science, AI or a related technical field, with deep experience in research commercialisation and the Australian research sector (or an equivalent combination of experience and expertise).
• Demonstrated senior expertise in commercialisation, including deal structuring, licensing, investment frameworks and spin‑out company formation.
• A strong track record in venture creation and investment, including preparing opportunities for investment, negotiating term sheets and supporting university‑linked start‑ups.
• Proven ability to manage complex commercialisation pipelines, with strong knowledge of intellectual property, contract negotiation and investment pathways.
• Highly developed stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills, with experience building strategic partnerships across universities, industry, investors and government.
• Exceptional communication and professional skills, including the ability to develop business cases, prepare investment materials and present to senior and external audiences.

Benefits

• 17% employer contributed superannuation
• On site childcare facilities
• Flexible work arrangements
• Discounts for staff and their family members to study a range of La Trobe courses

How to apply

Closing date: Wednesday 29th April, 2026 at 11:55pm

Position Enquiries: Natalia Alvarez, Director, Commercialisation, New Ventures and Investments Natalia.Alvarez@latrobe.edu.au

Recruitment Enquiries: Vicki Stavrou, Senior Partner, Strategy and Senior Appointments v.stavrou@latrobe.edu.au

Please submit an online application ONLY and include the following documents:

• Cover letter and
• An up-to-date resume.

PD-Senior Manager, Commercialisation.pdf