60325 Director Biodiscovery Platform - Plant & Food Research

Lead a national platform to build a culturally‑grounded pathway for indigenous‑led biodiscovery at the nexus of Māori, research, and industry to deliver equitable and impactful outcomes.

• Lead the design, development, and delivery of the Biodiscovery platform.
• Shape the vision, set the strategic direction, and guide investment across platform priorities.
• Ensure delivery of outcomes and drive commercialization of research into market‑ready products.
• Build and lead a high‑performing, collaborative team.
• Establish strong stakeholder and partner relationships across research, industry, Māori and government with a focus on shared outcomes.
• Lead the development and implementation of Te Tiriti‑based approaches and cultural integrity into innovative pathways, ensuring equitable access to benefit sharing.

• As a minimum, a degree, ideally combining science with business or marketing.
• Strong leadership experience delivering strategic plans and long‑term outcomes.
• Proven success in commercializing research or products with real‑world impact.
• Demonstrated experience partnering with Māori, including working within Te Ao Māori and integrating Māori values, perspectives, and practices into decision making.
• A track record of building and maintaining trusted stakeholder relationships across research, industry, Māori entities, and government agencies.
• Experience leading collaborative, multi‑partner initiatives including agreements, partnerships, and ventures.
• Sound understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application in research, innovation, and commercialization contexts.

• Four weeks annual leave, additional 7 days’ leave, and generous paid parental leave.
• Excellent benefit choices in retirement savings and wellbeing & health.
• Focus on health and wellbeing with enhanced sick leave.
• Flexible work – hybrid working options and flexible hours.
• Auckland‑based onsite childcare.