Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland

The University of Auckland creates globally transformative impacts through its distinctive strengths in world-leading research, scholarship, teaching and collaborative partnerships, inspired by its unique position in Aotearoa New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific.

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

We are seeking Three Research Engagement Managers to join a newly established Research Engagement function within Te Puna Tiketike | Research and Innovation Office.

These newly created roles will play a pivotal role in building strategic partnerships, facilitating collaboration between researchers and external stakeholders, and helping shape research agendas that deliver meaningful impact for communities, industry, government and society. Working across the University's Signature Research Areas, you will contribute to a transformative approach to research engagement that strengthens research excellence, innovation and impact.

As a dedicated relationship manager, facilitator and strategic connector, you will bring together internal and external partners to foster collaboration, build trusted relationships, and support the development of impactful research initiatives. The role is focused on identifying opportunities, building partnerships, facilitating co-design processes, and helping position the University as a partner of choice across diverse stakeholder communities.

Three exciting opportunities across our Signature Research Areas

We are recruiting Three Research Engagement Managers, with each role aligned to one of the University's Signature Research Areas (SRAs). These areas bring together interdisciplinary expertise to address some of the most significant challenges and opportunities facing Aotearoa New Zealand and the world.

The available areas are:

• Ancestral Futures
• Blue Pacific Horizons
• The Energy Movement

To learn more about the University's Signature Research Areas, please visit: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/research/signature-research-areas.html

Key responsibilities include:

• Provide specialist advice to Signature Research Area (SRA) research leads and University Research Centre (URC) Directors on engagement strategy, partnership development, and co-design practice.
• Embed structured impact practice, including theory of change and implementation-informed approaches, into engagement planning so that impact pathways are shaped from the earliest stages of partnership formation.
• Build and steward long-term, mutually beneficial relationships across industry, funders, government, civil society, and international partners.
• Act as a strategic broker and wayfinder, connecting external partners to relevant University expertise and applied innovation capability.
• Identify opportunities to elevate the profile of University research, researchers, and strategic research priorities through coordinated engagement, thought leadership, stakeholder events, and strategic communications.

This is a Permanent full‑time, 37.5‑hour‑per‑week contract.  This is a band H role with a salary range from $98,700 pa to $121,900 pa.

This position will be based at the Newmarket Campus

For more information on the role, please view the Position Description.

About the Research Engagement Team

We're establishing a new Research Engagement function within Te Puna Tiketike | Research and Innovation Office to strengthen the University's ability to build meaningful, long-term partnerships that enable excellent research and deliver impact.

Working alongside researchers, communities, iwi, industry, government and other partners, the team will help shape shared research agendas, foster transdisciplinary collaboration, and support co-designed research that addresses challenges of national and global importance.

Rather than responding to opportunities as they arise, the team will take a strategic, relationship-centred approach to engagement, helping position the University as a trusted partner and making it easier for external organisations to connect with our research expertise.

Aligned to the University's Signature Research Areas, the team will work closely with researchers to develop enduring partnerships, build engagement capability across the University, and embed research engagement and impact as core components of research excellence.

He kōrero mōu | About you

You are a strategic relationship-builder who thrives in complex environments and enjoys bringing people, ideas and opportunities together. You are confident engaging with a wide range of stakeholders and can balance long-term relationship development with achieving meaningful outcomes.

Skills and experience that are required:

• A tertiary qualification aligned to a Signature Research Area, or equivalent professional expertise within a relevant research domain.
• Experience in research engagement, research partnerships, strategic stakeholder engagement, knowledge mobilisation, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success building and sustaining trusted, mutually beneficial relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong facilitation skills and experience bringing together stakeholders to shape shared priorities and outcomes.
• The ability to take initiative, exercise sound judgement and work autonomously in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage credibly with researchers, senior leaders, industry, government and community partners.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer

Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland - is New Zealand's leading university and offers an excellent working environment through:

• Flexible employment practices
• Up to 6.75% employer superannuation contribution
• Five weeks' annual leave
• Career development and professional learning opportunities
• Generous parental leave provisions
• Excellent campus facilities
• Access to a range of staff benefits, wellbeing initiatives, and discounts

For more information, please visit Staff Benefits.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

Applications must be submitted online by the closing date of 22nd of September 2026 (NZST) to be considered. 

Please include your CV and a cover letter outlining how your skills and experience align with the requirements of the role.

• As part of your application, please indicate in your Cover letter which Signature Research Area your expertise, qualifications and experience best align with, as each Research Engagement Manager role will support a dedicated Signature Research Area.

For any questions related to the role, please reach out to the Kristiann Allen on [email protected]

Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment.  For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQIATakatāpuiMVPFAFF+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other personal circumstances go to www.equity.auckland.ac.nz