Job Description

Head of SME & Growth

Company: Auckland International Innovation Centre Limited (AIIC)
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Employment Type: Full-time
Reports To: Director / General Manager

Position Overview

The Head of SME & Growth is responsible for driving the growth of AIIC’s SME community, developing strategic partnerships, attracting new business clients, and expanding AIIC’s innovation and business ecosystem.

The role focuses on supporting entrepreneurs, startups, small and medium-sized enterprises, and growing businesses by connecting them with workspace solutions, business resources, commercial opportunities, professional networks, technology partners, and other support services.

The successful candidate will lead business development and growth initiatives while strengthening AIIC’s position as an innovation and business hub in Auckland.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement AIIC’s SME growth and business development strategy.

• Attract startups, entrepreneurs, SMEs, technology companies, and professional businesses to the AIIC ecosystem.

• Promote AIIC’s flexible workspace, innovation facilities, business support services, events, and partnership opportunities.

• Build relationships with business owners, founders, investors, professional service providers, technology companies, industry organisations, and community partners.

• Develop strategic partnerships with universities, business associations, government organisations, accelerators, incubators, financial institutions, and technology providers.

• Identify new commercial opportunities, programmes, services, and partnerships that support SME growth.

• Manage the business development pipeline from initial enquiry through to client onboarding and ongoing relationship management.

• Develop initiatives to increase workspace utilisation, membership, business participation, and recurring revenue.

• Organise and support business networking events, innovation programmes, seminars, workshops, exhibitions, and industry engagement activities.

• Build and maintain a strong SME and entrepreneur community within AIIC.

• Support member businesses by connecting them with relevant business networks, technology solutions, professional services, investment opportunities, and market resources.

• Work with management and marketing teams to develop campaigns, promotional materials, digital content, and business development activities.

• Identify opportunities to attract international companies and entrepreneurs seeking to establish or expand businesses in New Zealand.

• Support collaboration between New Zealand businesses and international markets.

• Monitor SME, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship trends to identify new opportunities for AIIC.

• Prepare business proposals, partnership agreements, presentations, and commercial plans.

• Maintain accurate records of business leads, clients, partnerships, and growth opportunities.

• Report regularly to management on business development performance, client acquisition, partnerships, revenue, and strategic opportunities.

Key Performance Indicators

Performance will be measured against areas including:

• Number of new SME and business clients acquired.

• Growth in AIIC membership and workspace occupancy.

• Revenue growth from memberships, workspace, services, and partnerships.

• Number and quality of strategic partnerships established.

• Client retention and engagement.

• Number of networking events, programmes, and business activities delivered.

• SME participation in AIIC programmes and services.

• Growth of AIIC’s business and innovation community.

• Conversion rate from business enquiries to active clients.

• Development of new revenue-generating services and programmes.

• Brand awareness and engagement within the Auckland SME and innovation community.

Skills and Experience

• Experience in business development, SME sales, partnerships, account management, innovation, technology, professional services, or a related field.

• Strong understanding of the New Zealand SME and entrepreneurial market.

• Demonstrated ability to develop business relationships and generate new commercial opportunities.

• Strong networking and stakeholder management skills.

• Experience working with entrepreneurs, startups, SMEs, or technology businesses is highly desirable.

• Strong communication, presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to develop partnerships with commercial, government, education, and community organisations.

• Strong commercial awareness with a focus on revenue and sustainable growth.

• Ability to manage multiple business development projects and priorities.

• Good understanding of digital marketing, CRM, lead generation, and customer engagement.

• Experience organising business events, networking activities, or innovation programmes would be advantageous.

Qualifications

A relevant tertiary qualification in one or more of the following areas is preferred:

• Business

• Commerce

• Marketing

• Management

• Entrepreneurship

• Innovation

• Technology

• International Business

• Communications

Equivalent relevant commercial or industry experience will also be considered.

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate will be:

• Entrepreneurial and commercially focused.

• Confident in building relationships with business owners and senior stakeholders.

• Highly proactive and self-motivated.

• Strong at networking and developing new opportunities.

• Customer and community focused.

• Comfortable working in a dynamic innovation environment.

• Creative in developing new programmes and commercial opportunities.

• Professional and capable of representing AIIC externally.

• Results focused with strong ownership of business targets.