Engagement Advisor (Commercialisation)

Job Description:

Te Rōpū Rangahau | Research & Innovation
Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand

• Fixed-term, 12 month position
• Part-time, 18.75 hours per week
• 4 weeks annual leave + 5 days university holidays

Āu Mahi | What You Will Do

Bring people, ideas and opportunities together to help UC research achieve real-world impact. In this fixed-term role as Engagement Advisor (Commercialisation), you will raise awareness of the Research & Innovation (R&S) Commercialisation team, build strong connections across the University of Canterbury (UC) and the wider innovation ecosystem by:

• Planning and delivering workshops and events focused on commercialisation, entrepreneurship and industry engagement, including leading UC’s annual entrepreneurship and innovation competition.
• Building strong relationships with academic staff, research groups, postgraduate students and student organisations, maintaining regular connections across UC’s faculties, departments and schools.
• Identifying and encouraging researchers and students with entrepreneurial ambitions, helping to grow a strong pipeline of commercialisation, consulting and research-industry opportunities.
• Developing relationships with industry groups, funders, incubators and other university technology transfer offices, and represent the Commercialisation team at external events and forums.
• Designing targeted engagement strategies and work plans, prioritising effort for maximum impact and managing milestones, timelines, stakeholders, risks and resources.
• Creating and promoting compelling digital content, newsletters, case studies and success stories in partnership with UC Communications and specialist providers.

Mōu | Who You Are

You are a proactive, relationship-focused communicator who enjoys connecting people and turning ideas into well-planned engagement activity. You are equally comfortable organising an event, developing a story, presenting to a group and building trusted relationships with researchers, students and external partners.

You will also be able to demonstrate experience in:

• Relationship management, marketing, events or communications (three to five years’ experience), ideally within a tertiary education, research or innovation environment.
• Building and maintaining productive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including researchers, students and external partners.
• Planning and delivering workshops, competitions, campaigns or other engagement events.
• Creating and promoting effective digital content and communications, such as newsletters, social media content and case studies.
• A genuine enthusiasm for entrepreneurship and innovation, with confident presentation and communication skills.
• Developing work plans, setting priorities and following through independently; a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in entrepreneurship, marketing or communications.
• An alignment with UC’s values and culture, promoting a positive, inclusive and collaborative work environment.

Mahi Ngātahi | Who You Will Work With
You will join Te Rōpū Rangahau | Research & Innovation and work closely with the IP & Commercialisation Manager, commercialisation advisers, UC researchers and research funding colleagues. You will also engage with external stakeholders such as other university commercialisation offices, industry contacts, investors, funders and specialist advisers.

Ngā Painga o UC | Why UC
At UC, being part of our team means more than just a job. We are committed to supporting our kaimahi | staff’s career and wellbeing with benefits designed to help our kaimahi grow and feel connected, supported and valued.

• 4 weeks annual leave +5 days university holidays
• generous employer contribution to superannuation (up to 6.75%)
• flexible working arrangement
• professional development opportunities
• supportive working environment
• a wide range of retail discounts across shopping, entertainment and travel
• on-campus staff discounts
• living in revitalised Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand
• a unique working environment in a beautiful campus with access to UC facilities such as UC RecCentre and Staff Club at discounted rates plus onsite cafés and eateries, and more.

For more information, please visit us: https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/about-uc/work-at-uc/benefits-working-uc

For more information about Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury, please visit https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/

The closing date for this position is: Sunday 18 October 2026 (midnight, NZ time)
Please note, applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place before the closing date.

Pēhea te tono mai | How You Apply

Applications for this position must be submitted through our careers website and should include a cover letter and CV. In your cover letter, please tell us about your experience building engagement and relationships, and your interest in helping research and innovation achieve real-world impact.

Please note, we do not accept applications by email. For queries about the application process, contact [email protected].

You must have Aotearoa New Zealand or Australian citizenship or permanent residency, or hold a valid New Zealand work visa, to be considered for this role.

The roles are based onsite.