Executive Director, Melbourne Entrepreneurial Centre

• Lead Melbourne University’s entrepreneurship to global standing
• Develop and deliver founder-centric programs
• Key member of the University’s senior leadership team

About the organisation

Established in 1853, the University of Melbourne is a leading international university with a tradition of excellence in teaching and research. With outstanding performance in international rankings, the University is at the forefront of higher education in the Asia-Pacific region and the world. The University’s Research, Innovation and Commercialisation (RIC) function is dedicated to enabling the University's strategy and in particular its research and enterprise mission working closely with academics, professional colleagues, industry partners, funding agencies, alumni, investors and government agencies. Within RIC, the Melbourne Entrepreneurial Centre (MEC) leads entrepreneurial programs and venture building support for researchers and students, curating a vibrant alumni and expert mentor, advisor, and fractional executive network.

About the role

The Executive Director, MEC, will lead the University’s entrepreneurial centre to a top-ten global position, driving initiatives that enhance its innovation ecosystem and contribute to Victoria’s and Australia’s economic prosperity. As a senior RIC and University leader, the Executive Director will expand founder-centric programs, strengthening entrepreneurial capability and increasing the success of new ventures. The role includes fostering a global network of mentors, investors, and industry partners, with a focus on alumni engagement. Internally, the Executive Director will work across RIC and the University to remove barriers to entrepreneurship and venture creation. The Executive Director will deliver on the MEC2030 strategy, scaling MEC into a global leader in researcher and student entrepreneurship and in doing so facilitate a University-wide approach to entrepreneurship. This includes developing a new innovation hub and expanding MEC’s online presence as a world-class entrepreneurial education and support platform. A key priority is securing new funding through partnerships, sponsorships, and philanthropy to ensure MEC’s long-term growth.

About you

You are a highly regarded entrepreneurial leader with deep expertise in building and scaling new businesses and innovation programs within a research-intensive environment. Your experience spans venture creation and growth, program design and delivery, and the integration of external networks to enhance the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Highly credible across industry, academia, and government, you are a collaborative and strategic relationship builder with extensive global connections. You have successfully mentored and coached founders, secured funding through partnerships, sponsorships, philanthropy, and government support, and contributed to the growth of early-stage ventures. With a deep understanding of venture funding models, including the role of venture capital, you have supported start-ups from inception through scale-up. You are an experienced people leader able to operate collegiately in a complex organisation and bring extensive experience in leading accelerator and incubator programs, engaging senior stakeholders, and fostering a culture of entrepreneurship within complex organisations. With a deep appreciation for the role of universities in driving innovation and generating economic growth, you understand the levers and challenges of translating research into impact.

For the right individual, this role presents a career-defining opportunity to elevate the University’s entrepreneurial ecosystem to a globally recognised standard, expanding MEC’s influence and delivering long-term economic and societal impact.

For more information, please contact Matthew Belleghem at SHK via email matthew.belleghem@shk.com.au quoting reference number #3001117 or click ‘Apply for this job’. Please submit your resume in Microsoft Word format. Direct and third-party applications will be forwarded to SHK.