Strategic Partnerships Manager Government

• Profile contracted research funding consulting and research informed services
• Portfolio: Government Wellington location
• Support the economic social and environmental wellbeing of Aotearoa

The opportunity

We seek an action-oriented individual for this permanent full-time role.  The primary focus is to grow relationships and revenue through engagement with industry and government partners.  To support the Director Government Relations to develop and implement a Waipapa Taumatau Rau (WTR) University of Auckland-connected Government Relationships Strategy that leads to contracted research consulting and research-informed services.  To take forward discreet areas of strategic focus in consultation with the Director.    Business Development expertise and networks in strategically partnering with Government is essential and partnering with WTR would be advantageous.  Note there will be regular travel involved for the successful incumbent.

Key responsibilities:

Connect Internally & Externally:

• Lead Departmental and Principal Investigator engagement
• Understand the Universitys capability and capacity and articulate the value proposition to potential partners
• Scale the pipeline of ideas and talent within your designated sector
• Build and maintain relationships with key external stakeholders and connectivity with the assigned sector.
• Leverage market insights and relationships with industry and government partners to identify innovative solutions to address real-world challenges.
• Develop and execute client plans for designated or assigned areas of responsibility.

Transform & Accelerate Ideas to Funding:

• Connect industry needs with university ideas talent and facilities.
• Develop and articulate value Propositions of University of Auckland projects and engagement to potential partners.

Diversify Funding Sources and Talent:

• Increase the proportion of funding from diverse external sources. Primarily industry and government.
• Help new principal investigators and early career researchers expand their partnerships with industry and government and secure funded projects.

Grow Research Revenue:

• Use sector knowledge and connections to create and manage a pipeline of projects that align with industry needs and opportunities. Drive forward individual and PI-Led opportunities to generate new externally funded projects ($2-3 million annually).
• Contribute to cross team opportunities and projects to ensure their success.
• Identify evaluate and develop new areas for potential growth.

Qualifications :

Your skills and experience:

This is not an entry-level position. You will:

• Have a proven track record in business development and relationship management and can point to examples of your success at navigating the complexities within the private sector public sector and ideally academia.
• Together with your commercial acumen strong stakeholder management and ability to act as a trusted advisor will put you in good stead for this role.
• Be adept at bringing together multiple stakeholders and unfased by uncertainties occasionally associated with operating in this sector.

Only applicants with the right to work in New Zealand will be considered.

Additional Information :

What we offer:

Great benefits including 5 weeks annual leave up to 6.75% company superannuation scheme eye-testing & glasses subsidies access to discounts on health insurance & gym memberships and long-service recognition.  We provide a culturally diverse team and supportive workplace with a blended approach to office and home-based work.  We offer flexible working arrangements and are committed to your ongoing professional development.

PD Strategic Partnerships Manager Government Oct

Please submit your application by 26 October 2025.

Honoa te tangata ki te tangata te tangata ki te taiao te tangata ki te rangahau rangahaua ki whai hua.

(Linking people to people people to the world around us people to research research that brings ideas to life.)

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time