Director - Electric Power Engineering Centre

Te Hiranga Pūhanga Hiko | Electric Power Engineering Centre (EPECentre)
- Full-time at 37.5 hours per week (1.0 FTE)
- Continuing (i.e. permanent) position

**_
This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic, innovative Director to lead and further develop New Zealand's centre of research excellence for electric power_**

Established in 2002, the EPECentre is a joint initiative between the New Zealand electricity industry and the University of Canterbury (UC). The EPECentre is a research centre in Te Kaupeka Pūhanga | Faculty of Engineering and is a unique and exciting organization with an excellent international and national reputation in both engineering education and research. As such, it is well-positioned for significant further growth. It has strong links with New Zealand's power industry, as well as international linkages, and enjoys nationwide support from both the New Zealand government and industry. It is increasingly active in the areas of sustainability and transition engineering.

The EPECentre employs high calibre researchers, engineers and support staff in management, technical and educational roles to achieve its objectives. There are key educational and research links with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the Engineering Faculty as well as with a number of other departments within Engineering and in other faculties across the University.

In conjunction with, and responsive to, industry, the EPECentre's research activities solve real problems in a broad range of fields, which include:

- Electric Power Generation, Transmission, Distribution and Application
Research and development of Sustainable Energy solutions
- Support and promotion of Transition Engineering
Distributed Generation and Decentralised Energy Systems
- Electric Vehicles and Battery technologies
- **Āu Mahi | What You Will Do**
As EPECentre Director you will provide research and business leadership and strategic direction. The Director has responsibility for delivery and management of the specific outcomes and processes, with reporting lines internally within UC through the Faculty of Engineering Executive Dean and externally reporting to the EPECentre Advisory Board of Governance and other stakeholders (industry, government bodies etc.). The scope of work includes ensuring sustainability and growth of EPECentre and the pertinent University research and innovation, through delivery of impactful outcomes. The role also includes staff management and oversight of finance and communications.
**Mōu | Who You Are**
To be successful in this role, you will hold a PhD or equivalent (NZQA Level 10) in a relevant discipline and have a minimum of 7 year's experience in a related role including:

- Experience with industry-academia collaborative research activities
- Experience covering the lifecycle of a system/solution at both operational and leadership level; i.e. has experience covering research, development, commercialisation, execution and/or operation
- Experience of working in an environment involving complex and interdisciplinary interfaces
- Demonstrated ability to generate significant value contracts
- Expert knowledge of relevant discipline demonstrated through development and delivery of complex technology/solutions, generation of significant value contracts, publications, patents, etc.
- Strong communication and leadership skills, including the ability to gain the confidence and cooperation of a diverse range of people across the University, industry and other stakeholders.
- Strong skills in building and maintaining relationships
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Preferable - An understanding of the system of research and innovation in New Zealand, and of the issues facing the tertiary education sector
- Preferable - experience in large-scale infrastructure or research projects
- An active commitment to upholding the values, tikanga (protocols and processes), kawa (rules) of cultural practice and traditions as guided by mana whenua, Ngāi Tūāhuriri, and valuing te reo Māori.
- Competency in te reo Māori me ōna tikanga is an advantage
**Mahi Ngātahi | Who You Will Work With**
For more information about the EPECentre and our team, please visit our website.

Please take a virtual tour of our Engineering facilities.

**Ngā Painga o UC | Why UC**
Tangata Tū, Tangata Ora - Engaged, Empowered, Making a Difference.

Based in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury stands for whanaungatanga - we value people and their differences, manaakitanga - we extend care and empower others, and tiakitanga - we will enhance and nurture our resources.

We are committed to accessible higher education, service to the community and the encouragement of talent without barriers of distance, wealth, class, gender or ethnicity. The University explicitly aims to produce graduates and support staff who are engaged with their communities, empowered to act for good