Job Description

THE INSTITUTE FOR INNOVATION AND TRANSLATION

Chief Innovation Officer (25260577)

The Chief Innovation Officer is expected to drive strategic growth and advance the University’s global stature by fostering a culture of innovation and active knowledge translation and transfer to generate impactful outputs. The appointee will identify emerging trends, lead cross-functional teams to foster strategic alliances, and secure various resources for technology translation and entrepreneurial ventures, with the objectives of advancing the University and its contributions in driving social, economic, and cultural impacts.

Reporting to the President and Vice-Chancellor (PVC) and as a member of the University Officers, the appointee will work closely with other senior members on devising innovation and knowledge transfer strategies and will oversee the Institute for Innovation and Translation and the Knowledge Transfer Office.

Responsibilities:

• Culture Building & Ecosystem Development: Foster a forward‑thinking, collaborative, and entrepreneurial environment across disciplines, empowering faculty, staff, and students to generate transformative ideas and translate them into societal value;
• Global Positioning & Strategic Alliance: Build and deepen high‑level networks with industry, investors, government bodies, and community partners—locally, regionally (including the Chinese Mainland and Greater Bay Area), and globally—to accelerate commercialisation, attract new ventures, and expand innovation opportunities;
• Innovation & Technology Translation Design and oversee robust processes for idea realisation, prototyping, validation, and technology translation, ensuring research outputs can evolve into viable products, services, or societal solutions;
• Facilitate Major Grant Application Drive and facilitate major grant applications, particularly those requiring industry engagement and delivering market-impactful outcomes;
• Risk Governance & Resource Mobilisation Evaluate innovation opportunities through a balanced risk–reward lens; secure, allocate, and manage financial, infrastructural, and human resources necessary to advance high‑impact initiatives;
• Knowledge Transfer & Entrepreneurship Advancement Spearhead the development and rollout of the University’s knowledge‑transfer and entrepreneurship strategy—including intellectual property management, technology licensing, contract research, consultancy, and incubation of start‑ups/spin‑offs—to maximise industry relevance and societal benefit; and
• Special Initiatives and Other Duties: To lead and execute any special initiatives and / or other duties as required by the President and Vice-Chancellor (PVC).

Requirements:

• Possess a postgraduate degree preferably a doctoral degree in science disciplines with extensive professional track record and proven credentials;
• Possess business and entrepreneurial experience, with proven ability to turn university innovations and intellectual properties into sustainable, revenue-generating, or impact-driven solutions;
• Have a deep understanding and experience in higher education sector and possess demonstrated track record in fostering multidisciplinary university business development, impactful grant applications, technology translation and transfer, commercialisation and entrepreneurship;
• Possess excellent global networks and communication and interpersonal skills to engage diverse stakeholders, including but not limited to academia, research institutes, government organisations, industry, investors, to supranational organisations;
• Holds track record in leading and facilitating high impact projects locally, and globally;
• Possess experience in management of institutional intellectual properties, policy formulation and governance;
• Be experienced in leading cross-functional teams and driving changes in a complex environment; and
• Be fluent in English and Chinese (written and spoken), with a high level of Putonghua proficiency strongly preferred.

The initial appointment will be offered on a fixed-term contract of 3 years, with renewal subject to mutual consent.

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Application procedure:

Applicants are invited to submit their applications at the HKBU e-Recruitment System. Those who are not invited for interview 8 weeks after submission of application may consider their applications unsuccessful. Details of the University's Personal Information Collection Statement can be found at https://hro.hkbu.edu.hk/en/worklife-at-hkbu/employee-favourable-environment.html#privacy-policy.

The University reserves the right not to make an appointment for the post advertised, and the appointment will be made according to the terms and conditions applicable at the time of offer.

Review of applications is ongoing until the position is filled.