Product Innovation Lead

Introduction Salary breakdown: $110,000 - $145,000 + Superannuation + Salary Packaging ($15,900.00 + Meal & Entertainment expenses) Flexible working, hybrid work and access to 9 day fortnight benefit after 6 months. Maximum Term Contract (1 FTE), ending 31/12/2026 Description About the Institute Located on the lands of the Bidiagal Clan of the Dharawal Nation (Randwick, NSW), Black Dog Institute is the only Medical Research Institute in Australia to investigate mental health across the full lifespan, our aim is to create a mentally healthier world for everyone. For over 20 years, we have been at the forefront of mental health research and have maintained a reputation as the face of mental health research and treatment in Australia. Through our unique ‘translational’ research approach, we turn our world-class research into treatments, prevention strategies, clinical services, educational programs, and e-health products. These allow us to continue our work in leading Australia’s population health response, and champion the ongoing conversation of mental health in our society. Our work is used to distributed through the public and is used to drive evidence informed change across the mental health sector, setting the foundation for a brighter and healthier future for all. Benefits Hybrid work, 1-2 days per week in office (choose your days, consistent team collaboration days where possible) 35 hour work week, flexible hours agreements & 9-day fortnights Salary Packaging: $15,900.00 of your base salary tax free & up to $ meal & entertainment Family first, people first culture, we put our research into action at work to make sure we maintain mental health and wellbeing at work Pet friendly workplace Leave benefits including public holiday swap, gifted annual leave, and wellbeing leave Employee discounts Skills And Experiences The Role The purpose of this role is to take ideas from concept to reality. As a Product Innovation Lead, you will turn mental health research, insights, and market opportunities into digital products that change lives. This is not a maintenance role. It’s a builder’s role. You’ll thrive in ambiguity, using lean startup methods, rapid prototyping, and AI tooling to move from zero to one - fast. You’ll work across discovery, validation, prototyping, and launch, translating complex research into simple, scalable solutions that people love. This is the perfect role for someone who wants their career to have real impact on society - creating products that improve mental health outcomes at scale. You’ll combine creativity with evidence, and technology with empathy, to deliver solutions that matter. Duties & Responsibilities Product Discovery & Strategy Identify unmet needs and opportunities by engaging with users, research teams, and industry trends. Source ideas from both new research and the broader body of mental health evidence. Use tools like Business Model Canvases, Lean Hypotheses, and rapid experimentation to shape early-stage concepts. Define a compelling product vision grounded in user value, evidence, and market potential. End-to-End Product Development Drive the product lifecycle from problem validation to MVP launch, to scaling. Build fast: prototype, test, learn, and iterate in weeks, not months. Balance speed with rigour - ensuring solutions meet real needs, are safe and ethical AI-First Product Practice Utilise AI tooling to build quickly and efficiently. Embed AI and automation at the heart of product development workflows. Explore how AI can streamline product builds and enhance user experiences. Stay across emerging trends in AI for mental health, and assess their relevance for the institute’s work Collaboration & Leadership Work closely with researchers, designers, engineers, and clinicians to bring ideas to life. Champion a culture of creativity, bold experimentation, and bias for action. Lead by example - showing how to balance data, intuition, and empathy in decision-making. Data & Market Insight Use data and analytics to validate assumptions, measure impact, and optimise products. Stay close to the market: understand competitors, user behaviour, and emerging trends. Share learnings openly to influence product strategy and future research directions. Skills & Experience Required Essential Minimum of 5 years’ experience in product development, with a proven track record of launching and managing successful digital products. Proven ability to take products from zero-to-one, ideally in startup or innovation environments. Comfort with ambiguity and risk: you know how to test fast, learn fast, and pivot. Strong technical acumen, including knowledge of product architecture and the ability to work with technical teams Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate cross-functional teams in a collaborative environment. Experience with agile methodologies, lean startup principles, and design thinking. Proficiency in data-driven decision-making and analytics tools. Excellent analytical, organisational, and communication skills. Comprehensive knowledge of AI tools and platforms, including their uses and limitations. Strong collaboration and storytelling skills: able to inspire researchers, engineers, and execs alike. Creative and entrepreneurial mindset: you see opportunities where others see obstacles. A strong bias for action. Desired Experience working with research organisations or translating research into products. Track record of building products using AI tools Exposure to mental health, healthtech, or education sectors Equal Employment Opportunity Statement We actively welcome applications from candidates of underrepresented backgrounds and recognise that not all candidates will have had equal opportunity to gain experience in the past. If you’re excited about this opportunity but feel you don’t meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply as your unique perspective and experiences matter. How to Apply To become a part of the Black Dog Institute team, follow the link to ELMO to apply and submit your most up to date resume. If you are shortlisted for the role, we will call you and let you know you are successful. Please do not respond to any suspicious emails requesting you to upload your ID or personal details. We are a 2022 Circle Back Initiative Employer and commit to respond to every applicant. #J-18808-Ljbffr