Director, Research Office

• Are you an experienced and inspiring leader looking for a high-performing, innovative and collaborative team?
• Are you adept at building and managing relationships with a variety of stakeholders?
• Will you thrive in a new role where you can make a significant contribution towards supporting and strengthening a culture of research and innovation?

Mō Te Herenga Waka - About Our University

Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is a global-civic university with our marae at our heart. This iho draws off our heritage and is further defined by our tūrangawaewae, in particular Wellington, Aotearoa, and the Asia-Pacific, all of which are expressed in our position as Aotearoa New Zealand's globally ranked capital city university.

Our core ethical values are respect, responsibility, fairness, integrity, and empathy. These core ethical values are demonstrated in our commitment to sustainability, wellbeing, inclusivity, equity, diversity, collegiality, and openness. With, and as, tangata whenua, we value Te Tiriti o Waitangi, rangatiratanga, manaakitanga, kaitiakitanga, whai mātauranga, whanaungatanga, and akoranga.

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the role

The Director, Research Office is an exciting new professional role created to lead a dedicated team of professional staff and oversee the continuous creating, implementation and improvement to research development and management of services and systems. The Director will play a major role in shaping the University’s research environment and performance by collaborating with stakeholders to increase research and innovation activity, diversity in research income, and mobilisation of ambitious research for transformative impact.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the operations of the Research Office, including developing and managing the Research Office’s annual plan.
• Be an inspiring people leader, increase capability and development of your team to achieve the Research Office’s strategy.
• Initiate and promote opportunities for the Research Office to engage with, and experience ngā tikanga Māori and te reo Māori.
• Develop and implement an ambitious research advice, services and support strategy and report on its implementation and benefits.
• Engage and build strong enduring relationships with internal and external stakeholders to leverage the University’s research capability.

Ō pῡmanawa – About You

Your exceptional entrepreneurial and leadership skills allow you to foster an environment of pro-active, researcher-focused advice, services and support that meet the needs of the University’s diverse research activities.

You are a motivational people leader, familiar with research, with a pro-active approach. You have the skills necessary to ensure the University realises its opportunities under Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi and provide an operating environment and support systems that facilitate meaningful research partnerships and networks with all stakeholders. You will also be analytically minded, ensuring systems and processes are put in place to ensure we meet our ambitious targets and report on progress.

Being ambitious, you will have experience in developing and implementing strategy that supports the research environment to increase and diversify research income with measurable (financial and non-financial) targets and outputs that meet agreed timelines.

What you will bring:

• Outstanding leadership capabilities gained with in a large, complex organisation.
• Senior management experience in research-related organisation where innovation, flexibility and adaptability have been demonstrated.
• Experience in Financial Management
• Well versed in development and implementation of a strategic vision and managing complex operations.
• Achievement in the creation and motivational leadership of highly performing teams.
• Understanding of and strong interest in kaupapa Māori and mātauranga Māori research.
• Exceptional customer focus and ability to understand and meet customers’ needs.
• A track record of successfully managing relationships and communication with a variety of stakeholders.
• Experience in working collaboratively across organisational boundaries.
• Relevant postgraduate tertiary qualification.

Ētahi kōrero hai āwhina i a koe - Why you should join our team

The Research Office plays an important role in supporting and strengthening the University’s research and innovation culture through the provision of high-quality, pro-active and client-focused advice and services to ensure we achieve the goals set in our ambitious research strategy. You will have the opportunity to lead a high performing, innovative and collaborative team in a positive, friendly and inclusive environment.

Role Description

Close Date for Vacancy:  26 April 2021.
 
Contact Details for Vacancy:  If you have any questions regarding this role please get in touch with Jo Meaclem, jo.meaclem@vuw.ac.nz.  But applicants should follow all steps listed below. 
  
Important - Application Steps and information
For applicants who are not NZ Citizens or Permanent Residents, we recommend you check the NZ Immigration website for updates related to Covid19 restrictions on entry to New Zealand: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/covid-19.

Download and complete the University Application Form. 
Click Apply Now Button at the base of the advert, follow the process to enter your contact details and add your CV in the online form. 

Please include a cover letter in your application, telling us why you’re a great fit for this position then email the completed application form, cover letter and any other supporting documentation to erecruit@vuw.ac.nz stating the reference number and position title from the advert in the subject line