Manager, Laboratory and Technical Services (Operations and Safety)

James Cook University; Townsville City; On-site; AUD 112,000 - 129,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

17% superannuation

Annual recreation leave

Flexible working options

Staff study assistance

Job summary

James Cook University in Townsville invites applications for a senior role leading Laboratory and Technical Services (Operations and Safety). The Manager will oversee planning, safety, compliance and service delivery across multiple facilities and campuses, aligning resources to research outcomes.

You will build capability, drive safety culture and coordinate diverse teams while reporting to Education Division leadership.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience in complex laboratory or technical service environments.
• Strong knowledge of Workplace Health and Safety legislation and risk management.
• Experience overseeing facilities, equipment and analytical instruments.
• Proven ability to plan, prioritise and coordinate resources across multiple sites.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, prioritisation and delivery of technical and operational services across facilities.
• Ensure safety, compliance and readiness of resources and equipment.
• Develop staff capability and a high-performing, collaborative culture across teams.
• Provide strategic and operational advice on feasibility, safety, and resource implications of planned activities.

Skills

Leadership

Safety leadership

WH&S knowledge

Operations management

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Job description

James Cook University (JCU) is creating a brighter future for life in the Tropics and beyond, through education and research that makes a difference locally and globally.

Are you an experienced leader with a strong background in research laboratory operations or technical service environments? This is an opportunity to lead safe, compliant and high-quality laboratory and technical services that directly support safety, research and service outcomes across JCU.

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Manager, Laboratory and Technical Services (Operations and Safety) to provide strategic and operational leadership across multidisciplinary facilities, teams and services.

• Laboratory and Technical Services, Education Division
• Full-time, continuing | 36.25 hours per week
• Successful candidate must be based in Townsville or willing to relocate before commencement
• Based at the Townsville Bebegu Yumba campus, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and tropical North Queensland
• HEWL 8: $111,960 - $128,567 per annum plus up to 17% superannuation

ABOUT THE ROLE

As Manager, Laboratory and Technical Services (Operations and Safety), you will lead the planning, prioritisation and delivery of technical and operational services across Academy research facilities and JCU Stores. You will ensure facilities, specialised equipment and resources are safe, compliant and operationally ready, ensuring service delivery to researchers, and embedding effective safety, risk management and compliance practices within the team’s day-to-day operations. With a portfolio spanning varied research disciplines, including an array of biological sciences, chemistry, geology, dentistry and engineering laboratories across multiple facilities and campuses, you will optimise people and resources to support high-quality research, safety and service outcomes.

The role also contributes to the broader leadership of Laboratory and Technical Services by building a high-performing and collaborative workplace culture, strengthening cross-team planning and driving service consistency, innovation and continuous improvement. You will lead and develop staff capability, manage workload and performance, and provide high-level technical and operational advice on the feasibility, safety, compliance and resource implications of planned activities.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE ROLE

You will bring relevant qualifications, together with demonstrated leadership and operational management experience in a complex laboratory or technical service environment. You will have experience overseeing specialist facilities, technical equipment, analytical instruments and resources, ensuring their safe, effective and compliant operation.

Your strong understanding of Workplace Health and Safety legislation will be supported by practical experience in risk management, incident response, compliance monitoring and continuous improvement. You will also demonstrate high-level communication, interpersonal and influencing skills, a proven ability to develop staff and team capability, and the capacity to contribute to strategic initiatives, service innovation and operational improvement.

Selection Criteria
In addition to the Key Requirements for Success outlined in the Role Profile, the successful applicant must have:

1. Management experience within scientific and/or engineering research laboratories, or comparable technical service environment, with a demonstrated understanding of the operational requirements of complex and regulated laboratory environments.
2. Leadership experience in complex technical operational environments, with evidence of leading diverse teams, strengthening capability and collaboration, and fostering a culture of safety, accountability, innovation and high performance.
3. Experience in the effective operation of biological, chemical and/or engineering laboratories, including physical containment facilities, specialised equipment and analytical instruments, and associated technical services, enabling effective research and service outcomes across broad discipline areas.
4. Demonstrated experience leading safety and compliance within complex laboratory and research environments, with comprehensive knowledge of applicable WHS requirements, risk management, dangerous goods, Scheduled Medicines and Poisons, Australian Laboratory Standards, and Biosecurity, Gene Technology and Radiation regulatory compliance.
5. Demonstrated experience overseeing stores, inventory and/or services within a research or technical environment, ensuring effective resource availability, stock management and responsive service delivery to meet organisational needs.
6. Experience managing complex service demands across multiple disciplines and locations, with demonstrated ability to effectively plan, prioritise and coordinate human, financial and physical resources to meet competing operational and service requirements.

WHY JCU

JCU offers a dynamic and culturally diverse workplace where your ideas are valued, your professional growth is supported, and your work-life balance is respected. Working under the values of Authenticity, Excellence, Integrity and Respect, we support and empower our people through the provisions of:

• A generous superannuation scheme with up to 17% employer contributions with UniSuper
• 5 weeks of annual recreation leave plus leave loading
• 15 days paid sick/carers leave per year
• Up to 6 months paid parental leave
• A range of flexible working options
• Staff study assistance and paid study leave
• Ongoing professional development support
• Fitness Passport
• Corporate discount on health insurance
• Free Employee Assistance Program (coaching and counselling)
• Well-equipped modern facilities and contemporary workspaces with access to on-site childcare and medical services at our Townsville campus

ABOUT OUR PROCESS

At JCU, we are committed to employing individuals who meet the requirements of the role and align with our values. All applicants will be contacted and advised of an outcome once the recruitment process is finalised.

Please visit our Information Privacy Policy to understand how your information is collected, stored, accessed and used.

James Cook University encourages people from all backgrounds who meet the role requirements to apply. We value and celebrate the diversity of our community and are committed to providing a safe, inclusive and welcoming learning and working environment.