Director, Innovation & Research

HammondCare; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

HammondCare is seeking an exceptional Director, Research & Innovation to lead the delivery of Hammond Innovations' strategy, ensuring ideas and evidence are translated into practical, scalable solutions that improve care outcomes and workforce capability. This permanent full-time role is based out of our St Leonards or Malvern offices in Sydney.

You will lead a multidisciplinary team across research, evaluation, governance, grants, clinical AI and innovation, building partnerships with

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in research, innovation, health services or aged care.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams across research, innovation, governance and grants.
• Experience securing and managing major grants and externally funded initiatives.
• Experience overseeing governance, ethics, risk, and reporting in research/innovation.
• Postgraduate qualifications in health, public health, implementation science, business or related fields.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of Hammond Innovations' research and innovation strategy with a high-impact portfolio.
• Oversee research, innovation, evaluation, grants, partnerships, clinical trials and digital health.
• Build and grow strategic partnerships with universities, government agencies, industry partners and funding bodies.
• Drive external funding, grant development and collaboration opportunities.
• Ensure governance, risk management, ethics, compliance and reporting across activities.
• Lead evaluation, evidence generation and impact measurement to inform investments and scaling.
• Identify commercialisation, revenue generation and sustainable funding opportunities.
• Provide strategic advice to executive leaders on priorities, investment opportunities and trends.
• Lead and develop a high-performing multidisciplinary team across research, evaluation, governance, grants, clinical AI and innovation.
• Represent HammondCare externally as a leader in research and knowledge translation.

Skills

Senior leadership

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Communication

Change management

Executive influence

Education

Postgraduate qualification in health leadership

Tertiary qualification in health/public health/related discipline

Job description

About the Opportunity HammondCare has established Hammond Innovations to accelerate the translation of knowledge into measurable impact across dementia, palliative and complex care. Through the IDEA Hub (Insight, Design, Evidence and Action), Hammond Innovations brings together research, innovation, evaluation, partnerships and knowledge translation to solve complex care challenges and improve quality of life for older Australians. We are seeking an exceptional Director, Research & Innovation to lead the delivery of HammondCare's research and innovation strategy, ensuring ideas and evidence are transformed into practical, scalable solutions that improve care outcomes, workforce capability and organisational performance. Reporting to the Executive General Manager, Hammond Innovations, this is a senior leadership role responsible for a diverse portfolio spanning applied research, innovation delivery, evaluation, grants, partnerships, clinical trials, digital health and AI. You will provide strategic leadership across a team of specialist leaders while building the partnerships, funding pathways and governance structures needed to maximise impact across HammondCare and the broader sector. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of evidence-based innovation in aged care and strengthen HammondCare's position as a recognised leader in dementia, palliative and complex care research and innovation. This is a permanent full-time opportunity, based out of our St Leonards or Malvern office.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of Hammond Innovations' research and innovation strategy, translating priorities into a clear, high-impact portfolio of initiatives.
• Oversee the research, innovation, evaluation, grants, partnerships, clinical trials and digital health portfolio, ensuring strong performance, governance and measurable outcomes.
• Build and grow strategic partnerships with universities, research institutes, government agencies, industry partners and funding bodies.
• Drive external funding, grant development and collaboration opportunities that support HammondCare's innovation and research agenda.
• Ensure robust governance, risk management, ethics, compliance and reporting across research, innovation and clinical trial activities.
• Lead evaluation, evidence generation and impact measurement to inform investment, adoption and scaling decisions.
• Identify commercialisation, revenue generation and sustainable funding opportunities across the innovation portfolio.
• Provide strategic advice to executive leaders on innovation priorities, investment opportunities and emerging trends.
• Lead and develop a high-performing multidisciplinary team across research, evaluation, governance, grants, clinical AI and innovation functions.
• Represent HammondCare externally, strengthening the organisation's reputation as a leader in research, innovation and knowledge translation.

What do we need from you?

• Demonstrated senior leadership experience in research, innovation, health services, aged care, clinical translation, commercialisation or related sectors.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary teams across research, innovation, evaluation, governance, grants, partnerships, digital health or clinical trials.
• Experience translating strategy into operating models, programs, portfolios and measurable organisational outcomes.
• Strong understanding of applied research, evaluation, evidence generation, implementation and knowledge translation.
• Experience securing and managing major grants, partnerships and externally funded initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing governance, ethics, risk, compliance and reporting requirements across research and innovation activities.
• Commercial acumen with the ability to assess investment opportunities, funding models, partnerships and scale pathways.
• Strong stakeholder management experience and the ability to influence executive leaders, funders and external partners.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including Board and executive-level reporting.
• Proven ability to lead change, navigate complexity and deliver outcomes through others.
• Tertiary qualifications in health, public health, implementation science, business, innovation, research or a related discipline.
• Commitment to HammondCare's Christian Mission, Motivation and Mission in Action.
• Highly Regarded Experience in aged care, dementia, palliative care, digital health, AI or industry sponsored drug trials.
• Experience working with universities, research institutes, government, pharmaceutical, technology or philanthropic organisations.
• Knowledge of innovation operating models, portfolio governance, design-led approaches and stage-gate processes.
• Experience with industry sponsored clinical trials, research governance and human research ethics frameworks.
• Postgraduate qualifications in research, evaluation, health leadership, business, implementation science, public health or related fields.
• Understanding of digital health, AI governance and technology-enabled service innovation.

Why Join HammondCare?

This is a rare opportunity to lead one of Australia's most significant research and innovation portfolios focused on improving quality of life for older people with complex care needs. You will: Lead impactful research and innovation across dementia, palliative and complex care. Influence organisational and sector-wide improvements through evidence-based innovation. Work alongside leading clinicians, researchers, innovators and external partners. Drive funding, partnerships and commercial opportunities that support sustainable growth and impact. Shape the future direction of Hammond Innovations and the IDEA Hub. Be part of a purpose-driven organisation committed to improving the lives of people in need.

HammondCare is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and strive to create an environment where everyone can bring their authentic selves to work. Make a difference every day to the lives of older Australians in need by joining the team at HammondCare.

We provide expert aged care, home care, dementia care and palliative care for older people, regardless of circumstances, beliefs, background or financial situation, led by our not-for-profit, Christian foundations and backed by research and clinical expertise. We’ve been caring for people for over 90 years, recruiting and developing passionate team members who can support older people through some of life’s most difficult circumstances. Whether it’s in our innovative residences, our hospitals, or at home, from the most complex situations to just offering a little help, we bring the same skill, experience and compassion to all we do.

It's not just care, it's HammondCare. We recognise and celebrate individuals who go above and beyond in their work. Our Mission in Action Awards honour outstanding contributions, while our Service Awards acknowledge the dedication of employees who have been with us for many years. Frontline team members benefit from training in our industry-leading care model, as well as specialised courses in dementia and palliative care. We also offer generous scholarships for higher education, along with programs designed to develop leadership and management skills. Plus, enjoy a $1,000 bonus for successful employee referrals.

As a registered charity, we offer salary packaging that allows you to have up to $15,900 of your income tax free, along with the ability to spend up to $2,650 on accommodation, meals, and entertainment, all tax free. Pay less tax on your income and increase your take-home pay with these fantastic benefits! Enhance your wellbeing with Fitness Passport, offering discounted access for you and your family to local gyms, pools, and fitness centres. When you need additional support, our Employee Assistance Program provides free, confidential counselling sessions, ensuring you have the resources to thrive.