[What the role is]

The Assistant Director (Capability & Industry) is a strategic and hands-on leader responsible for driving consultancy, applied research, intellectual property development, and external industry engagement for the School of Technology for Arts, Media and Design.

This role leads the development and execution of strategies that strengthen the School’s staff capability, grow consultancy and applied research activity, and expand the School’s industry relevance beyond the traditional creative sector.

We are looking for individuals with the ability to lead cross-functional teams, provide leadership on complex and novel issues and shape policies, practices, and partnerships that advance the School’s strategic objectives.

This role is critical in positioning the School of Technology for the Arts, Media and Design as a strategic partner to industry, both within the creative sector and across the wider economy. By shaping functional priorities, building staff capability, driving applied consultancy, research, and intellectual property development, and opening new industry pathways, the Assistant Director enables the School to strengthen industry relevance, create reusable intellectual assets, and deliver meaningful, sustainable impact beyond traditional academic boundaries.

[What you will be working on]

• Spearhead consultancy, applied research, and industry engagement initiatives to strengthen the School’s industry-facing capabilities and impact.
• Develop and implement functional strategies, policies, and frameworks to drive sustainable growth and measurable impact.
• Address novel and complex challenges by integrating creative, arts, design, and media perspectives and disciplines with industry needs.
• Drive the identification, structuring, and delivery of consultancy and applied research projects, including opportunities to generate intellectual property particularly with non-creative industry and government partners.
• Identify and pursue collaborative projects with industry partners, developing tailored solutions that draw on STA’s strengths in digital media solutions, immersive experiences, design-led innovation, and Designing Your Life facilitation.
• Enhance consultancy models, processes, and service quality by applying best practices to improve intellectual property and revenue generation, and project outcomes.
• Coach and mentor staff, building School-wide capability in consultancy delivery, industry-facing research, and professional practice.
• Lead upskilling initiatives and foster cross-disciplinary collaboration to address skill gaps.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with corporates, agencies, research institutions, and solution providers.
• Influence School and institutional leaders to adopt new approaches and priorities, and negotiate with external partners to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
• Work across functions and schools to align resources, manage dependencies, and optimise results, exercising autonomy and sound judgement.

[What we are looking for]

• Relevant qualification in arts, media, design, creative technologies, business, engineering or a related discipline.
• Significant professional experience in business development, industry partnerships, consultancy, applied research, innovation or related industry-facing roles.
• Demonstrated success in capability development, consultancy growth, applied research, intellectual property development, industry engagement and stakeholder partnership development.
• Proven experience in translating creative or design-led strengths into industry-relevant solutions for non-Arts, Design and Media sector organizations.
• Experience developing or supporting tailored industry solutions in areas such as arts and digital media, immersive experiences, and related domains.
• Strong track record in influencing stakeholders, negotiating with external partners, and driving change across complex stakeholder environments.
• Ability to operate independently and confidently in complex, ambiguous and evolving environments, with sound judgement and accountability for outcomes.