Senior Manager, Startups and Commercialisation

• Salary: $138,631 - $185,518 (Plus Superannuation)
• Fixed term role: until 8 January 2027
• Usual hours of work: Full time (flexibility may be available)
• Usual work location: 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne (flexibility may be available)

The Role

We are looking for a talented and highly motivated individual to lead a team dedicated to fostering a vibrant Victorian startup innovation and commercialisation ecosystem.

Working closely with LaunchVic, Breakthrough Victoria, the Victorian Government's New Innovation Entity and other key stakeholders, the Senior Manager Startups and Commercialisation will provide authoritative policy advice relating to the Victorian Government's support for Victoria's founders, investors and entrepreneurial workforce.

Main accountabilities:

• Provide people management and leadership of the branch's startups and commercialisation team.
• Lead the department's oversight of and engagement with LaunchVic, Victoria's independent startup agency, and then once established the New Innovation Entity.
• Provide impactful policy advice which supports the growth of Victoria's startup innovation and commercialisation ecosystem and broader innovation agenda.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with key stakeholders across government and industry to deliver project deliverables and objectives.

The Team

The position of Senior Manager, Startups and Commercialisation forms a part of the Medical Research, Innovation and Technology branch within the Industry, Trade and Investment group.

The Industry, Trade and Investment group works closely with businesses locally and globally to grow Victorian jobs, drive innovation and increase Victoria's international competitiveness. The Medical Research, Innovation and Technology branch works to foster an innovative economy and supports the growth and productivity of our globally competitive industries, including medical research, healthtech and digital technologies sectors.

About You

The successful candidate will ideally have the following skills and experience:

• Leadership and people management: proven leadership and people management experience, with demonstrated capability to lead, motivate and develop teams of high performing professionals, upholding the VPS values and building a productive and inclusive workplace culture.
• Governance: demonstrated understanding and experience in dealing with governance matters within a public sector context, including the ability to problem-solve and display sound judgment on complex matters. 
• Stakeholder management: outstanding interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, with demonstrated experience negotiating, influencing and building consensus at senior levels in the private and public sectors.

Further Information

For a confidential discussion, please contact Prathay Chandrakumar, A/g Director, Digital Economy and Innovation Policy on 0491 339 051 or prathay.chandrakumar@ecodev.vic.gov.au

The Department is committed to creating and maintaining a child safe organisation. We have zero tolerance of child abuse and are committed to taking the necessary steps to protect children from harm by adopting a preventative, proactive and participatory approach to child safety in accordance with the Child Safe Standards.

Successful candidates will be required to undergo a National Police Records Check prior to commencing employment with the Department. For further information on the position, please refer to the attached position description.

Please note: We are committed to inclusive recruitment. If you require an adjustment to participate in any stage of the recruitment process or have a particular requirement to be communicated with by either telephone or email only, please notify the DJSIR Talent Acquisition Team on 0472 875 685, or via email at recruitment@ecodev.vic.gov.au with the position number in the subject line.

How to Apply

Please click the ‘Apply Now' button. As part of the application process, you will need to provide a copy of your resume and a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria outlined in the position description.

Applications close at 23:59pm on 22 April 2026.