Innovation Lead – ICT

About the role

The Innovation Lead – ICT will coordinate and support ICT‑focused innovation initiatives at Midlands State University, fostering a culture of disruptive, technology‑driven development across the Midlands region.

Key responsibilities

• Coordinate and promote emerging ICT innovations within the university ecosystem.
• Provide technical guidance on product, software, systems, digital platforms, and automation projects.
• Engage with academic departments, researchers, students, industry partners and community stakeholders to identify IP with commercial potential.
• Define pathways for protection, scaling and commercialisation of ICT‑related intellectual property.
• Facilitate partnerships for joint development, piloting, adoption and market launch.
• Support prototype, MVP and digital solution development.
• Advise the Innovation Manager on ICT investments, collaborations, contracts and commercial opportunities.
• Offer incubation, mentorship and technical support to innovators.
• Assist in preparing proposals, business cases, briefs, concept notes and commercialisation plans.
• Monitor trends in AI, software engineering, cybersecurity, fintech, data analytics, cloud, IoT, blockchain and related technologies.
• Prepare regular progress reports, technical briefs and other required documentation.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in IT, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, Telecommunications, Computer Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum two years of experience in ICT research & development, innovation, software or systems development, or technology commercialisation.
• Master’s degree or pursuit of one is an advantage.
• Strong technical knowledge of ICT systems and emerging digital technologies.
• Understanding of innovation ecosystems, IP development and technology transfer.
• Ability to identify commercially viable ICT innovations and guide them to market‑ready status.

Required skills

• ICT systems
• Software development
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Cybersecurity
• Fintech
• Data analytics
• Cloud computing
• Internet of Things (IoT)
• Blockchain