Recruitment of the

Chief Innovator

Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation

Applications close XXX 2026

About Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation

The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation plays a key role in shaping Queensland’s future, bringing together responsibilities spanning environmental stewardship, tourism, science and innovation. Its vision is to support a thriving environment and economy, with a focus on sustainable growth, strong partnerships and harnessing scientific excellence and innovation to deliver lasting economic, social and environmental benefits.

Science and innovation are central to the department’s work to strengthen Queensland’s economy and position the State for future growth. The department works across government and in partnership with industry, universities, research organisations, entrepreneurs, startups, investors and communities to strengthen connections, encourage collaboration and translate research and innovative ideas into commercial opportunities, investment and economic outcomes.

A key focus is strengthening Queensland’s science and innovation ecosystem to improve productivity, attract investment, support emerging and established industries and create opportunities across Queensland’s regions. This includes building stronger pathways between research, entrepreneurship, industry and capital, helping promising ideas progress from discovery through commercialisation and into the market.

Through the Office of Commercialisation, the department is focused on strengthening these connections and ensuring Queensland can realise greater value from its research capability, talent and entrepreneurial ecosystem, while positioning the State as a place where innovation can develop, attract investment and scale.

About the role

The Chief Innovator serves as Queensland’s innovation advocate, connecting research, entrepreneurship, industry and investment to accelerate the translation of ideas into economic, social and environmental outcomes for Queensland.

The role aims to strengthen Queensland’s innovation ecosystem by orchestrating collaboration across government, research organisations, industry, investors and entrepreneurs to accelerate commercialisation, investment attraction and innovation system coordination.

Working alongside the Queensland Chief Scientist and leading the Office of Commercialisation, the Chief Innovator focuses on the critical connections required to move innovation from discovery to market. The role complements existing scientific, industry and government leadership by strengthening commercialisation pathways, coordinating innovation system partners and helping Queensland capture greater value from its research capability, talent and entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The Chief Innovator also provides strategic leadership through key governance forums, including the Ministerial Science and Innovation Advisory Council and the Queensland Government Science and Innovation Steering Committee, helping align priorities, partnerships, investment and innovation outcomes across Queensland.

Key responsibilities of the role

Provide strategic leadership and system orchestration across Queensland’s science, innovation and commercialisation ecosystem, aligning government priorities, research capability, industry demand and investment pathways.
Champion Queensland’s innovation ecosystem by connecting founders, startups and scale-ups with research, industry, investors and funding opportunities to drive innovation and economic growth.
Work alongside the Queensland Chief Scientist and leading the Office of Commercialisation to strengthen commercialisation pathways from discovery through validation, investment readiness, market adoption and scale.
Strengthen regional and place based innovation ecosystems by connecting precincts, universities, entrepreneurs and investors to statewide commercialisation and growth pathways.
Provide strategic advice to the Minister, Director-General, Executive Leadership Team and senior leaders on innovation system priorities, investment attraction, commercialisation opportunities and ecosystem performance.
Steward Queensland’s innovation opportunities by strengthening visibility of opportunities, risks, capability gaps, priorities and decision points across programs, funding streams, partnerships and regions.
Contribute to public, Commonwealth, private, institutional, corporate and philanthropic investment conversations to improve alignment, leverage and market-led outcomes.
Represent Queensland in strategic innovation, commercialisation and investment forums, building trusted partnerships locally, nationally and internationally.
Contribute to key governance committees, including the Ministerial Science and Innovation Advisory Council and the Queensland Government Science and Innovation Steering Committee.

How To Apply

Applicants are encouraged to review the Role Description, Candidate Information Pack and the links providing further information about the department to assist with understanding the recruitment and selection process.

To be considered for this role please provide the following information in your online application, for the assessment of your suitability:

Your current CV or resume
A covering letter telling us why you are interested in this role and how your skills and experience complements this role. This should not be a restatement of your resume. It is your opportunity to tell us about yourself, how you meet the required competencies, key duties and responsibilities, and any specific role requirements including what skills you’ll bring to the role

For confidential enquiries please contact:

Kim Ritchie, Director or Justine Eden, Director, Eden Ritchie Recruitment

07 3230 00xx or chiefinnovator@edenritchie.com.au

Applications close XX 2026

Search Jobs