Director Business and Investments

Background: 

Director Business and Investments provides strategic and executive leadership for the University’s commercial, enterprise and university private partnership portfolio. The position is responsible for developing, implementing and evaluating the University's commercial strategy, including identifying, evaluating, establishing and growing sustainable business opportunities that generate new revenue, reducing the University’s dependence on external service providers and improving value for money. The Director will lead the development of university-owned companies and business units, including, but not limited to, security services, construction and maintenance services, University lodges and accommodation, property and venue hire, hospitality, retail and other approved commercial ventures.

The Director will also serve as the University’s executive lead for the identification, appraisal, structuring, procurement, negotiation, implementation and performance management of university private partnerships, concessions, joint ventures and other long term strategic investment arrangements. The incumbent will ensure that each venture and partnership is supported by a robust business case, appropriate governance, transparent financial controls, regulatory compliance, balanced risk allocation and clearly defined commercial performance targets. The role will balance profitability with the University’s academic, student experience, workforce development and community obligations, and will position commercial operations and partnerships as key contributors to the University’s long-term financial sustainability.

Person Specification: 

Essential

• A Master’s degree in Business Administration, Commerce, Finance, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Engineering, Construction Management, Property, Hospitality, Law or another relevant discipline, with at least ten years of progressively responsible commercial or enterprise experience, including at least fifteen (15) years at senior executive or general management level; or an equivalent combination of qualification and extensive experience.
• Alternatively, a relevant Bachelor’s degree with at least twenty (20) years of progressively responsible commercial experience, including substantial and demonstrated senior leadership responsibility.
• Professional membership or certification in accounting, finance, engineering, construction, project management, property, hospitality, governance or company directorship.
• Demonstrated experience in establishing, scaling, restructuring or managing businesses, subsidiaries or complex commercial operations with full profit-and-loss accountability.
• Proven experience developing business cases, feasibility studies, investment proposals, financial models, commercial contracts and board or executive papers.
• Strong experience in financial management, pricing, budgeting, cash flow management, risk, internal controls, audit and performance reporting.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing organisational change in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate and manage university or public private partnerships, joint ventures, concessions, leases, major service arrangements or other strategic commercial agreements.
• Demonstrated experience in the stages of the university private partnerships/public private partnerships lifecycle, such as project screening, feasibility and business case development, transaction structuring, procurement, negotiation, financial close, implementation or long-term contract management.
• Sound understanding of governance, statutory compliance, procurement, occupational health and safety and ethical business practices.

Desirable

• Experience in two or more relevant sectors such as security, construction and maintenance, accommodation and hospitality, property, retail, consultancy or facilities services.
• Experience establishing or governing a state owned, university owned, not-for-profit or public-purpose enterprise.
• Experience with infrastructure finance, PPP transaction advisory, project finance, concessions or long-term performance-based contracts would be an advantage.
• Knowledge of the Fiji and Pacific commercial, regulatory, tourism, construction and tertiary education environment.
• Experience integrating commercial activities with student learning, apprenticeships, applied research or workforce development.
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Salary: An attractive salary commensurate with qualifications, experience and abilities would be negotiated with the successful applicant.

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