Assistant Director, Research, Evaluation & Partnerships

AusCycling SA; Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney; Remote; AUD 129,000 - 152,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Training allowances

L&D calendar

Superannuation 15.4%

Access to Clearinghouse for Sport

Free onsite parking

Gym and swimming pool

Childcare centre priority

Job summary

The Australian Sports Commission is seeking an Assistant Director Research, Evaluation & Partnerships to lead the design, commissioning and delivery of research addressing priority evidence gaps and evaluating ASC policies and programs.

Working with limited direction, you will assure methodological quality, build partnerships across government and universities, and translate findings into clear recommendations for senior leaders and sector partners.

Qualifications

• Experience leading complex research and evaluation projects.
• Specialist capability in quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• Experience developing evaluation frameworks and theories of change.
• Commitment to research integrity and ethical practice.
• Translate research findings into practical conclusions and recommendations.
• Experience managing research partnerships across government, universities, industry or sector organisations.
• Leadership of staff or specialist project teams.
• Experience managing commissioned work, suppliers, contracts, risks and budgets.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, commissioning and delivery of research and evaluation that addresses priority evidence gaps.
• Assure methodological quality, research integrity and practical relevance.
• Build partnerships to increase the value, reach and use of sport research and evaluation.
• Translate robust findings into clear conclusions and recommendations for senior leaders and sector partners.

Skills

Leadership

Research methods

Evaluation frameworks

Ethics

Partnerships

Communication

Job description

• $128,968 to $152,181 + up to 15.4% superannuation

Description

Applications close at 11:30pm AEST Wednesday, 25 November 2026 (late applications will not be accepted).

The Australian Sports Commission is embarking on the Green and Gold decade. An exciting time filled with international sporting competitions on home soil, including the Men’s and Women’s Rugby World Cup, and culminating in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We have an ambitious new Strategic Vision and we need the best players on our team to help us deliver real results for the sporting sector and all Australians.

Are you up for the challenge?

About the team –

The Sport System Intelligence Branch strengthens the evidence, insight, knowledge and innovation foundations that enable better decisions and stronger outcomes across the ASC and Australian sport. The branch provides trusted research, evaluation, analytics and performance insights that inform strategy, policy, investment and service delivery. We identify emerging trends, opportunities, risks and evidence gaps, translating complex information into practical guidance, tools and solutions that drive continuous improvement.

Through robust measurement and evaluation, the branch demonstrates the impact and value of sport, ASC investments and sector initiatives. We promote responsible innovation, knowledge stewardship and evidence-based decision-making, while building the capability of ASC staff and sector partners to generate, share and apply insights effectively. Through strategic partnerships and high-quality intelligence services, the branch helps create a more informed, innovative and impactful Australian sport system.

About the role –

The Assistant Director Research, Evaluation & Partnerships leads the design, commissioning and delivery of research and evaluation that addresses priority evidence gaps and evaluates the effectiveness and impact of ASC policies, investments, programs and services. Working under limited direction, the role assures methodological quality, research integrity and practical relevance, and builds partnerships that increase the value, reach and use of sport research and evaluation. The role translates robust findings into clear conclusions and recommendations for senior leaders, program owners and sector partners.

We are looking for an analytical and collaborative professional who combines methodological discipline with a practical understanding of organisational decision-making. The successful candidate will exercise sound judgement, communicate complex evidence clearly and build trusted relationships that help the ASC and its partners use evidence to improve policies, programs and sport‑sector outcomes.

About you –

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Experience leading complex research and evaluation projects from design andcommissioning through to findings, recommendations and use.
• Specialist capability in quantitative and qualitative research and evaluation methods,including the ability to select and defend fit‑for‑purpose approaches.
• Experience developing evaluation frameworks, theories of change, evaluation questions and measures that assess effectiveness, efficiency, impact and implementation.
• Commitment to research integrity and evidence quality, including ethical practice,methodological documentation, quality assurance and transparent communication of limitations.
• Proven ability to translate complex research and evaluation findings into practical conclusions, optionsand recommendations for senior, operational and external audiences.
• Experience establishing and managing productive research or evaluation partnerships acrossgovernment, universities, research institutions, industry or sector organisations.
• Leadership of staff or specialist project teams, including work planning, technicalguidance, quality assurance, capability development and delivery accountability.
• Experience managing commissioned work, suppliers, contracts, risks, budgets and resources within an accountable environment.

This position is offered as an ONGOING role.

Why work with us?

We have offices located in Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney. Across all locations, we offer:

• Options for flexible working arrangements.
• Annual allowances towards training based on individualised career goals.
• Access to a customised ASC L&D calendar for ongoing professional and career development.
• Generous superannuation scheme with up to 15.4% employer contributions.
• Access to Clearinghouse for Sport, an information sharing platform for Sporting professionals.

Additionally, our Canberra campus offers:

• Free onsite parking
• Onsite facilities including café, dining hall, gym, and swimming pool.
• Priority placement for your children to access the award winning, onsite AIS Caretaker’s Cottage Childcare Centre.

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact:

• Contact Officer: Lindsey Reece, Director

To be eligible for this position applicants are required to be Australian citizens only and must be able to obtain and maintain an AGSVA Security Clearance.

As part of the Commonwealth Child Safety Framework the ASC is committed to being a Child Safe Organisation and leading the way in Child Safety across the sports sector. This position requires a Working with Vulnerable/Children People check to obtain employment.

Notes

• The ASC is committed to protecting children from harm. We require all applicants that will work with children to undergo screening processes prior to appointment.
• Should a merit pool be established for this position, it may be used to fill ongoing or fixed term opportunities as they arise within 18 months from the date advertised.
• The ASC operates under the Australian Sports Commission Act 1989 and is separate to the Public Service Act 1999. The ASC accepts most leave liability and recognition of prior service if you are currently employed at a Commonwealth agency.
• If you are experiencing issues or have any questions with the e‑recruitment system, please contact the People & Culture Hub via email [e-mail] or phone [phone].

Acknowledgement of Country

The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands where its offices are located, the Ngunnawal people and recognises any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation, the people of the Yugambeh Nation and the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. The ASC extends this acknowledgement to all the Traditional Custodians of the lands and First Nations peoples throughout Australia and would like to pay respects to all Elders past and present. The ASC recognises the outstanding contribution that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make to society and sport in Australia and celebrates the power of sport to promote reconciliation and reduce inequality.