Chief of Staff

About Innovation Victoria

Innovation Victoria is dedicated to fostering a vibrant innovation environment and advancing the commercialisation of novel ideas within Victoria. The organisation aims to operate efficiently while maximizing contributions to the state's economy and wellbeing. It serves as a unified gateway for innovation and commercialisation, enhancing Victoria's reputation as the 'ideas capital' by supporting innovators, emerging companies, and capital growth.

The organisation's strategic priorities include:

• Investment Excellence through disciplined, policy-aligned investing
• Supporting Startup Success with measurable impacts on the innovation ecosystem
• Stakeholder Leadership by creating trust and value jointly with partners
• Capability and Culture focused on team development and alignment

Innovation Victoria maintains an inclusive workplace culture, operating from a collaborative office in Melbourne with a hybrid work model.

Role Overview

This position reports directly to the CEO and plays a crucial role in facilitating operational efficiency and executive productivity. The Chief of Staff manages strategic initiatives, program oversight, and internal communication to ensure alignment across the organisation. Key activities include prioritising organisational goals and supporting key projects related to cultural and transformational improvements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead by example to inspire a diverse, high-performing team, promoting inclusive and values-based workplace culture and coaching others in effective leadership practices.
• Optimize the CEO and Executive Team’s effectiveness through managing schedules, facilitating meetings, and reviewing key materials such as investment documents for decision-making.
• Support and enhance Executive Team workflows by managing agendas, embedding cultural systems, coordinating priorities, and fostering employee engagement for improved productivity.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, including investee companies, government, academia, and industry partners.

Leadership and Team Duties

• Communicate organisational vision clearly to ensure team cohesion.
• Establish clear objectives supporting business priorities and conduct regular one-on-one meetings with the CEO to maintain alignment and address challenges.
• Provide constructive feedback to enhance performance and address any underperformance swiftly and fairly.
• Promote career development through coaching and identifying growth opportunities.
• Maintain an inclusive, psychologically safe environment and embody company values and leadership principles.
• Report any risks or bottlenecks affecting team outcomes promptly.

Required Skills and Experience

• Exceptional oral and written communication skills to convey complex ideas clearly and persuasively.
• Familiarity with investment management, finance, commercial transactions, and the Australian startup ecosystem.
• Proven experience leading complex, innovative projects involving cross-functional teams and external partners.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive issues independently with discretion.
• Strong collaboration and interpersonal skills to build effective partnerships internally and externally.
• Proven leadership in cultivating high-performance cultures with accountability and shared ownership.

Core Organisational Values

• Passion for innovation and meaningful impact.
• Integrity in all interactions, prioritizing honesty and ethical conduct.
• Community engagement that fosters inclusion and collective success.
• Respect for diverse perspectives and creating safe environments.
• Innovation through challenging norms and embracing experimentation.

Organisational Virtues

• One Team focus prioritizing collective missions.
• Solutions-oriented mindset empowering practical problem solving.
• Open, honest communication encouraging respectful debate.
• Unity in decision-making supporting aligned forward movement.
• Psychological safety fostering voice and active listening.

Diversity and Inclusion

Innovation Victoria is committed to equitable, inclusive hiring and encourages candidates from underrepresented groups to apply, supporting diverse backgrounds including gender, neurodiversity, ethnicity, and LGBTQIA+ communities.