Manager, Awards

University of Queensland; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

17% super

Flexible working options

On-campus childcare

Salary packaging

Job summary

The University of Queensland’s Research Office invites applications for a Manager (Awards). This full-time, continuing role leads a high-performing team delivering post-award research administration services, overseeing complex funding agreements, providing policy and compliance guidance, and driving service improvements.

Based at Toowong, with occasional travel to other campuses and potential relocation to St Lucia; offers a generous salary package and wide benefits.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualifications or equivalent extensive experience in research administration or related field.
• Experience leading, coaching and developing teams within a complex administrative/operational environment.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet tight deadlines.
• Experience driving continuous improvement initiatives in service delivery.
• Analytical, problem solving and communication skills; ability to interpret policy and prepare reports.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Awards team delivering post-award research administration services.
• Manage complex funding agreements and provide specialist advice on research administration, compliance and contractual matters.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance processes, service delivery and resource allocation.
• Build collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders and contribute to governance activities.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

People leadership

Analytical & problem solving

Prioritization & time management

Education

Postgraduate qualification or equivalent

Job description

• Research Office


• This is a full time continuing position with salary in the range $120,317 - $134,892 (HEW 8), plus a generous super allowance of up to 17%.


• Lead a high performing awards team delivering specialist post-award research administration services that enable world class research outcomes across UQ.


• Lead the delivery of post-award research administration services, drive continuous improvement initiatives, and contribute to the successful management of research funding across the University.


• Currently based at our Toowong office on High Street, with occasional travel to other UQ campuses. (This role may potentially be relocated to our UQ St Lucia campus).

About This Opportunity

The Research Office plays a pivotal role in supporting UQ's research enterprise, partnering with researchers, faculties and professional teams to secure, establish and manage research funding that drives innovation and global impact.

As the Manager (Awards), you will lead a team responsible for delivering high quality post-award research administration services across the University. Combining strategic leadership with hands on operational involvement, you will oversee complex funding agreements, provide specialist advice on policy and compliance matters, support team capability development and drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance service delivery.

Reporting to the Senior Manager (Awards), you will foster a collaborative, customer-focused culture while building strong stakeholder relationships across UQ and with external funding partners.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading, mentoring and developing a high performing Awards team to deliver customer-focused post-award research administration services.


• Managing complex funding agreements and providing specialist advice on research administration, compliance and contractual matters.


• Driving continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational processes, service delivery and resource allocation.


• Building collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders and contributing to strategic projects, policy development and governance activities.

About You

You are a collaborative and capable people leader who thrives in a fast paced operational environment and enjoys balancing strategic priorities with hands-on service delivery. You bring a client focused mindset, sound judgement, and the ability to build productive relationships across diverse stakeholder groups.

• Postgraduate qualifications, or equivalent extensive experience within research administration, grants management, higher education, government, compliance, finance or another complex operational environment.


• Demonstrated experience leading, coaching and developing teams within a complex administrative, operational, compliance or service delivery environment.


• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills, with the ability to influence, negotiate and provide trusted advice to a broad range of internal and external partners.


• Proven ability to manage competing priorities, coordinate high volume workloads and deliver quality outcomes within demanding timeframes.


• Experience driving continuous improvement initiatives, reviewing business processes and implementing practical solutions that enhance service delivery and operational effectiveness.


• Well developed analytical, problem solving and communication skills, with the ability to interpret policy, prepare reports and present complex information to diverse audiences.

About UQ

At The University of Queensland, we're creating change together. Ranked among the world's leading universities, UQ is a place where talented people come together to solve complex challenges, make meaningful contributions and shape the future.

Join a community where contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available. The broader benefits of joining UQ are extensive, including 17% super, 17.5% leave loading, flexible working options, health and wellbeing programs, a heavily discounted Study for Staff program, on-campus childcare and salary packaging.

Other Information

Pre-employment checks may include verification of the right to work in Australia, education and criminal history checks. This may also include checks relating to integrity and conduct requirements.

You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.

We're dedicated to equity, diversity and inclusion. We recognize that career pathways differ and encourage applications from candidates who may not meet every criterion but can demonstrate transferable skills, relevant experience and their potential to succeed in the role. We're also happy to support accessibility needs throughout the recruitment process.

Applications close Sunday 8 November 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-70373). Interviews will be tentatively scheduled for 13 November 2026.