Venture Partner, MEC

MEC Venture Partner

Join the Melbourne Entrepreneurial Centre’s Venture Studio in a two-year, full-time Senior Manager 1 role and help turn University research and emerging technologies into investable companies.

• Help build the next generation of companies based on world-class University research.

• Work at the intersection of research, entrepreneurship, investment and industry.

• Shape a new model for university venture creation.
   

Investing in you: 17% superannuation, salary packaging, flexible work arrangements, wellbeing support, discounted services and professional development opportunities.
 

The University of Melbourne

We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website.
 

Your new team – Melbourne Entrepreneurial Centre (MEC)

The Melbourne Entrepreneurial Centre advances the University of Melbourne’s vision for innovation and entrepreneurship, helping transform research and ideas into ventures with lasting social and economic impact. MEC brings together researchers, founders and commercialisation expertise across the University’s innovation ecosystem.
 

Your next career opportunity

As a Venture Partner, you will provide hands-on commercial leadership across a portfolio of emerging ventures—assessing opportunities, validating markets, shaping commercial strategy, building teams and maintaining momentum. You will bring together researchers, founders, investors and industry partners, help evolve the Venture Studio’s company-building model and, where appropriate, serve as a director of portfolio companies.
 

What you will deliver:

• Assess emerging research and technologies to identify opportunities with venture-scale potential and determine whether they are suited to the Venture Studio model.

• Help build and progress ventures through customer discovery, market validation, commercial strategy, business model development and evidence generation.

• Provide commercial leadership across multiple ventures, identifying the next critical steps, sequencing activities effectively and maintaining momentum through different stages of company development.

• Identify, attract and support commercial founders, executives, advisers and specialist contributors required to build successful companies.

• Build trusted relationships with researchers and commercial cofounders, that enable you to work closely together to shape opportunities and build successful companies.

• Act as a director on Venture Studio portfolio companies, contributing to governance, strategic direction and company stewardship.

• Contribute to the ongoing development of the Venture Studio's company-building practices, methods and operating model.
   

You may be a great fit if:

• You have experience building companies or leading commercial growth, venture development or execution in startups, new ventures or other innovation-led environments.

• You are commercially curious and can identify and shape commercial opportunities around complex research or emerging technologies.

• You bring strong commercial judgement across customer discovery, market validation, commercial strategy, team formation and investment readiness, and can prioritise the next steps that will create momentum.

• You can work independently in ambiguity, make sound decisions with incomplete information and use evidence and rapid learning to reduce uncertainty.

• You are proactive and relationship-focused, with the confidence to build trusted networks, navigate complex stakeholders and bring the right people together.

• You bring sound judgement, professionalism and experience contributing to governance, strategic oversight or company stewardship.
   

Experience in one or more of the following would be highly regarded: venture building or venture studios; startups, scale-ups, entrepreneurship or company building, particularly in deep or emerging technologies; investment, venture capital or fundraising; sales and revenue growth; commercial partnerships and deal-making; innovation and commercial strategy execution.
 

A PhD or equivalent experience that demonstrates an ability to understand and work with complex science and deep technology would be advantageous but is not essential.

Be Yourself

The University of Melbourne is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a child-safe organisation. The diversity of our community enriches us all, and we are committed to creating an inclusive and fair workplace where everyone is valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities and experiences. Discover more about Diversity and Inclusion at UniMelb.
 

We're committed to a barrier-free recruitment process and ongoing workplace support, providing adjustments throughout. We warmly encourage applications from people with disabilities. Learn more about how we support an accessible recruitment process.
 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants

We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians. Visit our Indigenous staff page to learn more about our investment and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.
 

Indigenous applicants are encouraged to connect with our Indigenous Employment & Development team at [email protected].
 

Visit "apply with us" to learn more about the process, including tips and FAQs.
 

Please upload your resume and a cover letter. To help us understand more about your experience and approach to work, briefly respond to the following questions in your cover letter:
 

1. Share an example of a venture, company or commercial opportunity you have helped build or grow. What did you contribute?
2. Choose an early-stage opportunity you worked on where the commercial path was not obvious. How did you determine where to focus, and what informed your priorities?
3. Tell us about a time you needed to move an important initiative forward without having direct authority over the people involved. How did you build support and create momentum?

• You must have current valid work rights for Australia. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

• A Working with Children Check is required for all positions. If successful, we will guide you through the process and reimburse you.
   

Want to know more?

• For queries related to this position, contact Lucy Porter, Executive Recruitment Partner, at [email protected]
   

Apply today and join a community shaping the future of innovation and entrepreneurship.
 

Applications close: Sunday, 4th October 11:55 PM Melbourne time.
 

Position Description:
PD - JR-017234 Venture Partner, MEC.pdf
PD - JR-017234 Venture Partner, MEC.docx