- Full time, ongoing role
- Based in Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney
- Flexible working conditions
- Salary $148,462 plus 12% superannuation with generous parental leave provisions
- Collaborative, values-based work environment

About Us Natural Hazards Research Australia (the Centre) is Australia’s national centre for natural hazard resilience and disaster risk reduction research. We address the major challenges arising from natural hazards, including bushfires, floods, cyclones, heatwaves, storms and other hazards. We undertake research that promotes resilience to the impacts of natural hazards and reduces disaster risk, supporting the needs of a variety of critical stakeholders – including emergency service agencies and communities – in mitigating impacts of, responding to and recovering from disasters caused by natural hazards. Natural Hazards Research Australia is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to an equitable, diverse and socially inclusive work environment. We actively encourage applicants with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, people with family caring responsibilities, people living with disability, LGBTIQA+ people and people from culturally diverse backgrounds to apply for this chance.

About The Position We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced and forward-thinking Innovation Manager to lead strategic capability development, innovation, foresight and thought leadership initiatives that strengthen disaster resilience across government, industry, research and community sectors.

This role is ideal for a collaborative leader who can identify emerging risks, opportunities and system wide challenges and translate research and evidence into practical action, while building trusted sector partnerships.

The successful candidate will be a strategic and credible professional with strong experience in innovation, policy, research translation, capability development or sector engagement,



working across government, industry, research and community environments, with a demonstrated ability to influence, collaborate and deliver high-quality outputs in complex settings.

Outstanding communication and stakeholder management skills will enable the ability to convene diverse groups, synthesise complex information and turn ideas into action.

Key Responsibilities

- Develop and implement executive development programs that build sector leaders’ capability to navigate complexity and uncertainty, and to apply research and science in decision-making.
- Lead an innovation and foresight agenda that identifies emerging risks, opportunities and system-wide challenges in disaster resilience.
- Coordinate thought leadership publications that generate insight, support collaboration and influence industry practice.
- Drive national-level insights through collaborative events, publications and engagement activities that inform public policy, practice and community outcomes.
- Provide strategic, research-informed advice to government, industry and key stakeholders, including contributions to inquiries, submissions and policy discussions.
- Design and lead industry innovation challenges that mobilise researchers, industry and end-users to deliver practical solutions to operational and strategic challenges.
- Develop communities of practice and collaborative networks that connect researchers and practitioners, strengthen relationships, share knowledge and foster innovation in natural hazards resilience.





SELECTION CRITERIA Education

- University degree, preferably in area relevant to innovation or public policy.

Specific Knowledge And Experience Required

- Demonstrated ability to lead complex, multi-stream programs in a national or multi-stakeholder environment.
- Proven capability to influence policy, strategy and organisational direction at senior levels, including contributing thought leadership that shapes emerging priorities and innovation agendas.
- Experience in horizon scanning, foresight methodologies and innovation programs.
- Demonstrated success in developing new services, products, platforms and programs arising from the research.
- Proven ability to build and maintain trusted relationships across government, research, industry and community sectors.
- Strong program management skills including frameworks, planning, governance, risk management and delivery.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with experience in communicating technical language in plain language.
- Highly developed interpersonal skills, together with the ability to liaise effectively and build and maintain strong relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders and senior leaders.

Desirable Knowledge And Experience

- At least five years’ experience in a similar, or related role.
- Experience in innovation, commercialisation or technology transfer.

APPLICATION PROCESS Applications close at 11.59pm AEST, 20 September 2026. Applications must include a CV and a cover letter introducing yourself, explaining your interest in the role and addressing the key selection criteria to [email protected] For more information contact Sarah Mizzi on [email protected].

Employment may be subject to the successful completion of a security screening process.

To be considered you must have the right to work in Australia.

📌 Innovation Manager (Melbourne)
🏢 Natural Hazards Research Australia
📍 Melbourne