Innovation Customer Navigator

• Part Time
• Application Closes 21 May 2026
• Waikato - Hamilton City
• Customer Service Representative

The role of the Innovation Customer Navigator is to work directly with Waikato-based businesses and support their innovation, growth and success. 

You will provide guidance, connections, networking, and facilitation to all businesses, developing actions plans to support business growth, and facilitating access to Soda, MBIE (Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment), and other business growth services as appropriate.  

The Innovation Customer Navigator role is also responsible for undertaking specified projects related to start-up and SME business growth development as required.  These projects will be aligned to Soda’s agreed business plan and business growth strategy. 

Customer Support and Innovation Specialist Expertise: 

• Lead the customer experience for all inquiries for Innovation Services to understand needs and create tailored action plans.
• This role is responsible for actively identifying, managing and supporting innovative businesses and assist R&D and technically focused businesses in navigating support available in the ecosystem.
• Provide business support to assist business development and capability needs.  This includes the triaging of business customer inquiries, delivery of support, management of the connectivity and referral to external suppliers and ensuring all inquiries receive timely and appropriate business support.   

Regional Business Ecosystem Development: 

• Drive inspiration, awareness, and engagement across the business network through conferences, events, workshops and Soda programme delivery. 
• Proactively build strong partnerships with Regional Councils and economic development providers in the Waikato region so they understand the Soda, RBP programme offering and innovation support. 
• Identify and proactively build strong relationships with business growth and management development providers in the Waikato region.  Ensure they understand the Soda, Innovation Services and RBP programme offering and its parameters so they can inform clients and actively refer businesses to Soda for support. 

Relationship Management: 

Build effective internal and external relationships on behalf of Soda and MBIE across the Waikato region.  This includes but is not limited to businesses, economic development agencies regional councils, industry associations, government organisations, universities and capability providers. 

Please note, this role is Part time (25 hours) and Fixed Term until July 2027.

We will be reviewing applications as they come in, and this vacancy may close sooner than the advertised closing date if a suitable applicant is found.