Head of Impact Activation

The Edmund Hillary Fellowship (EHF) is seeking an experienced innovation leader with a proven track record in developing new collaborative partnerships and pilot programmes that will support our strategy and business model. As the Head of Innovation Impact, your purpose is to drive our next stage of development, activating a world-class innovation community to create impact for Aotearoa NZ and the world.

About Us

EHF is a Fellowship community that provides exceptional entrepreneurs, investors and start up teams with a platform to incubate global impact ventures from Aotearoa New Zealand. We launched in 2016 as part of a global impact visa programme, set up in partnership with Immigration New Zealand to attract entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors to Aotearoa NZ.

We now have a Fellowship of 526 high-calibre leaders from 57 countries in areas as diverse as aerospace, blockchain, regenerative agriculture, cleantech, education, social enterprise, and systems design. In just four years, our Fellows have established at least 42 new ventures in New Zealand; invested $94 million into New Zealand start-ups, funds and businesses, and helped NZ businesses raise $572 million through their contacts. And this is just the beginning.

EHF is moving into an exciting new growth phase. We are bringing together a team of key leaders to help us move our organisation to the next level. Our purpose is to partner with Aotearoa NZ to find and build solutions to our toughest challenges. Our vision is that Aotearoa NZ inspires global leadership and solutions for future generations. EHF is not “work” for us, but a journey we deeply believe in and are committed to.

The Role

This is an exciting new role and function for EHF. Working with EHF, Fellows and NZ leaders you will pilot, test and iterate an ‘impact catalyst’ programme to deliver on our purpose and vision, as part of pivoting to a new business model.

Key Responsibilities

  • Build the strategic and funding partnerships that bring Fellows together with Iwi, sectors and innovation leaders and government

  • Build our ‘Entrepreneur in Residence’ programme, working with Fellows and NZ leaders to pilot, test and iterate this as a business model which will allow us to test proof of concept ideas. This is to be seeded and tested through 2022 with a view to scaling up in 2023.

  • Define the value proposition that will stimulate and attract new sources of funding and revenue including endowments, sponsorships, membership trials, and investment revenues.

  • Ensure we meet our contract and stakeholder commitments, including to the Government. Supporting the team to fully integrate new international Fellows into regions, industries and innovation systems, accelerating and amplifying their impact.

About You

As an experienced innovative leader with a strong track record in developing new collaborative business models and partnerships, you will bring a depth of relationships and insights across sectors, Iwi and Māori business, the innovation system and government to solve challenging problems and bring pathways to action. You will embrace bringing a strong Te Ao Māori lens to your practices, embedding the principles of Tangata tiriti.

You will have:

  • Experience of operating in a start-up environment, and scaling both an organisation and business model successfully

  • A strong reputation for collaboration within the innovation system, building successful and sustainable partnerships across diverse communities, including Iwi and Māori businesses

  • Experience in opportunity identification, building innovation hubs/models, modelling, testing and implementing new strategies

  • Experience building teams, culture and capability through times of transition

  • Experience of fundraising in the not-for-profit sector would be advantageous

EHF is committed to recognising and honouring our responsibility as Tangata Tiriti (People of Treaty) and to nurture the pioneering spirit and values of Sir Edmund Hillary in us all. You will be part of a diverse, entrepreneurial team that is used to executing fast across different priorities. Our team is diverse, and our shared values and sense of purpose brings us together.

If you want to be part of an innovative fast growing organisation, apply now by sending your CV and outlining why you’re interested in the role, to careers@ehf.org. Please include the job title in the subject line. We offer a competitive salary package and flexible working arrangements.

Applicants must:
- have a valid work visa or be able to legally work in New Zealand
- be based anywhere within NZ