Associate Director, Research Development & Grants

Times Higher Education; Victoria; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

La Trobe University invites applications for an Associate Director, Research Development & Grants, to lead the university's research grant development function and drive external income growth through strategic funding pipelines and partnerships. Reporting to the Executive Director, Strategy and Operations, this role shapes the Research and Innovation 2030 Strategy.

The successful candidate will lead a university-wide team, collaborating with senior academic and executive leaders to boost

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualifications and significant leadership experience within a research-intensive organisation or equivalent executive environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the University's research grant development program, aligning initiatives with institutional research priorities and income growth objectives.
• Partner with Research Institutes, Major Initiatives, Associate Deans Research and Industry Engagement and research leaders to identify, develop and secure major funding opportunities.
• Provide strategic advice to senior academic and executive leaders on funding strategy, investment priorities and research growth opportunities.
• Develop and strengthen strategic partnerships across government, industry, health, philanthropic and research sectors.
• Lead, develop and inspire a high-performing research grant development team that delivers exceptional support to the University's research community.
• Drive innovation, digital enablement and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance funding success and operational effectiveness.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Funding strategy

Stakeholder influence

Governance

Education

Postgraduate qualifications

Job description

Organisation/Company LA TROBE UNIVERSITY Research Field Educational sciences Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Established Researcher (R3) Application Deadline 13 Sep 2026 - 00:00 (UTC) Country Australia Type of Contract Other Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

• Lead the University's research grant development strategy and funding growth agenda
• Drive research income growth through strategic funding pipelines and partnerships
• Full Time /5 Year Fixed Term Appointment / Bundoora Campus

About the position

La Trobe University is seeking an exceptional strategic leader to join the Research Office as Associate Director, Research Development & Grants. Reporting to the Executive Director, Research Strategy and Operations, this pivotal role will lead the University's research grant development function and play a key role in delivering the University's Research and Innovation 2030 Strategy.

Leading a team that operates university-wide, the successful candidate will drive sustainable growth in external research income through the development of strategic funding pipelines, researcher capability programs and innovative grant development frameworks. Working closely with senior academic and executive leaders, the role will strengthen institutional funding readiness, enhance researcher competitiveness and position La Trobe for success across national, international, industry and philanthropic funding opportunities.

Duties at this level:

• Lead the University's research grant development program, aligning initiatives with institutional research priorities and income growth objectives.
• Partner with Research Institutes, Major Initiatives, Associate Deans Research and Industry Engagement and research leaders to identify, develop and secure major funding opportunities.
• Provide strategic advice to senior academic and executive leaders on funding strategy, investment priorities and research growth opportunities.
• Develop and strengthen strategic partnerships across government, industry, health, philanthropic and research sectors.
• Lead, develop and inspire a high-performing research grant development team that delivers exceptional support to the University's research community.
• Drive innovation, digital enablement and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance funding success and operational effectiveness.

Skills and knowledge:

• Postgraduate qualifications and significant leadership experience within a research-intensive organisation or equivalent executive environment.
• Extensive knowledge of Australian and international research funding programs, grants development and research strategy.
• Proven capability to lead high-performing teams and influence strategic outcomes across complex stakeholder environments.
• Expertise in research governance, compliance, risk management and externally funded research activities.
• Strong strategic, commercial and financial acumen, with experience managing funding pipelines and investment priorities.
• Exceptional communication, engagement and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across executive, academic and external stakeholder groups.

Please refer to the position description for other duties, skills and experience required for this position.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants

We welcome and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion

La Trobe University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce. We take an intersectional approach by actively supporting and encouraging people of all backgrounds and abilities tosubmitan applicationand aim to ensure that the recruitment and employee experience is as accessible and inclusive as possible. Flexibility in interview format will be offered to shortlisted candidates.

Our commitment to safety

All La Trobe University employees are bound by the Working with Children Act 2005.If you are successful, you willbe requiredto hold a valid Victorian Employee Working with Children Check prior to commencement.

National CodeonGender Based Violencein Higher Education

La Trobe University is committed to upholding the National Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence (GBV Code). This aligns with our mission to create safe and respectful communities.Candidates will be asked during the recruitment process to declare whether they have ever been investigated for, or found to have engaged in, gender-based violence inpreviousemployment and/or in legal proceedings and provide relevant information toassistindeterminingsuitability. Gender-based violence means any form of physical or non-physical violence, harassment,abuseor threats based on gender, that results in, or is likely to result in harm, coercion, control, fear or deprivation liberty or autonomy.

Position Enquiries: Alistair Duncan, Executive Director, Strategy & Operations, DVC Research & Industry Engagement, Email: [e-mail]

Recruitment Enquiries: Vicki Stavrou, Senior Talent Partner, Strategy and Senior Appointments Email: [e-mail]