Business Development Manager - Job Opportunity at University of Melbourne

Parkville, Australia
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: July 21, 2025
On-site
AUD 145,339 per year

Benefits

Comprehensive salary packaging options allowing tax-effective structuring of compensation packages
Subsidized health and wellbeing services providing cost-effective access to healthcare and wellness programs
Access to fitness and cultural clubs enhancing work-life balance and professional networking opportunities
Myki public transport discounts reducing commuting costs in Melbourne
25% discount on graduate courses for staff and immediate families representing significant educational investment savings
Generous leave provisions supporting work-life balance and personal development
17% superannuation contribution exceeding standard Australian requirements

Key Responsibilities

Drive strategic business development initiatives by designing and implementing innovative partnership opportunities aligned with AURIN's strategic priorities, directly impacting national urban research infrastructure expansion
Establish comprehensive knowledge management systems for AURIN and partner capabilities, enabling strategic brokerage of high-value collaboration opportunities across Australia's urban research ecosystem
Lead intellectual property portfolio management and curation activities supporting research translation and commercialization strategies, protecting and maximizing value from research investments
Execute relationship management strategies with key stakeholders to secure funding, revenue generation, and strategic partnerships that expand AURIN's national research impact
Negotiate and manage complex contractual relationships ensuring compliance with obligations while optimizing strategic outcomes for urban research infrastructure development
Support research translation initiatives that bridge academic research with practical urban planning and policy implementation across Australian cities and regions

Requirements

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification

Experience

Demonstrated experience in achieving results and facilitating outcomes within existing relationships

Required Skills

Strong communication, persuasion, and facilitation skills Relationship management and stakeholder partnership development Contractual relationship management including IP management Analytical skills for strategic opportunity assessment Account management and strategic engagement capabilities Proactive and results-driven approach Ability to work in challenging, dynamic and complex environments

Certifications

Working with Children Check (required)
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Urban research infrastructure is experiencing unprecedented growth as Australian cities face rapid population expansion and climate change challenges, creating strong demand for data-driven urban planning solutions. Government investment in smart city initiatives and sustainable urban development is driving significant funding opportunities for research organizations like AURIN. The integration of big data analytics, IoT sensors, and artificial intelligence in urban planning is transforming how cities approach infrastructure development, transportation planning, and environmental management. This technological evolution creates substantial business development opportunities for organizations that can bridge academic research with practical urban solutions. Growing emphasis on evidence-based policy making in urban planning is increasing demand for research translation services, creating new revenue streams for academic institutions that can effectively commercialize their research capabilities and intellectual property portfolios.

Salary Evaluation

The offered salary of AUD 145,339 is highly competitive for a mid-level business development role in the Australian academic sector, positioned approximately 15-20% above standard university business development positions. This premium reflects AURIN's specialized focus and the strategic importance of the role in national research infrastructure development.

Role Significance

Likely part of a specialized 3-5 person business development team within AURIN, with potential management of external contractor relationships and coordination with research teams across multiple universities and government agencies.
Mid-level strategic role with significant autonomy and impact on organizational growth, reporting directly to Head of Business Development with responsibility for managing complex stakeholder relationships and multi-million dollar partnership opportunities across Australia's urban research ecosystem.

Key Projects

Development and management of multi-institutional research partnerships worth millions of dollars in government and industry funding Implementation of intellectual property commercialization strategies for urban research innovations Creation of strategic alliances between academic institutions, government agencies, and private sector urban development companies Management of national-scale data infrastructure projects supporting evidence-based urban planning across Australian cities

Success Factors

Ability to navigate complex multi-stakeholder environments involving academic institutions, government agencies, and private sector organizations while balancing competing interests and priorities Deep understanding of Australian urban planning challenges and policy frameworks, enabling effective translation of research capabilities into practical solutions for city planning and development Strong relationship building skills combined with commercial acumen to identify and develop sustainable revenue streams from research translation and partnership activities Strategic thinking capability to align partnership opportunities with long-term organizational objectives while managing short-term performance expectations

Market Demand

High demand driven by Australia's urgent need for sustainable urban development solutions and increased government investment in research infrastructure supporting smart city initiatives and climate resilience planning.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Relationship management skills are essential for success in this role, as effectiveness depends on building and maintaining trust with diverse stakeholders including university researchers, government officials, and private sector executives. The complex multi-stakeholder environment requires exceptional interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity to navigate competing interests and priorities effectively. Contractual and intellectual property management expertise is crucial for protecting organizational interests while enabling successful partnership development. Understanding of research commercialization processes and IP licensing frameworks is essential for maximizing value from research investments and ensuring compliance with complex regulatory requirements. Strategic thinking and commercial acumen are fundamental for identifying sustainable revenue opportunities and developing partnerships that align with long-term organizational objectives. The role requires ability to balance academic research priorities with commercial viability and market demand for urban planning solutions.

Beneficial Skills

Understanding of urban planning principles and Australian policy frameworks would significantly enhance effectiveness in identifying relevant partnership opportunities and communicating research value propositions to government and industry stakeholders Experience with data analytics and digital platform development would be valuable given AURIN's focus on data-driven urban research infrastructure and the growing importance of technology solutions in urban planning applications International partnership development experience would support expansion of AURIN's research collaborations and enhance Australia's position in global urban research networks and smart city development initiatives

Unique Aspects

Opportunity to shape Australia's urban development future through strategic partnership development and research translation initiatives that directly impact millions of urban residents
Access to unique national research infrastructure and data assets that represent significant competitive advantages in urban planning and smart city development markets
Role combines academic research environment with commercial business development responsibilities, offering rare opportunity to bridge academic excellence with practical urban planning solutions
Direct involvement in policy development and government decision-making processes affecting Australia's urban future, providing exceptional professional exposure and impact potential

Career Growth

Typical progression to senior leadership roles within 3-5 years, with potential for executive positions in 5-7 years depending on performance and strategic impact achieved in partnership development and revenue generation.

Potential Next Roles

Head of Business Development or Director of Strategic Partnerships within academic research organizations Senior Business Development Director in urban planning consultancies or smart city technology companies Government Relations Director in infrastructure development agencies Commercial Director in research translation organizations or technology transfer offices

Company Overview

University of Melbourne

The University of Melbourne is Australia's leading research university and consistently ranked among the world's top academic institutions, with particular strength in urban planning and infrastructure research through AURIN. The university manages over AUD 1 billion in research funding annually and maintains extensive international partnerships across the Asia-Pacific region.

Dominant position in Australian higher education and research sectors, with AURIN representing a unique national infrastructure investment supporting evidence-based urban planning across all Australian cities and regions. The university's research translation capabilities are considered world-class with strong government and industry partnerships.
Central role in Australia's urban research ecosystem with AURIN serving as the primary national platform for urban research data and analytics, connecting universities, government agencies, and industry partners across all major Australian cities and regional centers.
Academic environment emphasizing research excellence, collaboration, and social impact, with strong support for professional development and work-life balance. The culture combines university academic freedom with commercial focus required for successful research translation and partnership development.
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