Manager (Science Infrastructure & Operations)

Queensland Government; City of Brisbane; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Professional growth opportunities

Supportive team environment

Job summary

Queensland Government invites applications for a Manager, Science Infrastructure and Operations at the Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park, Brisbane. You will lead cross-agency governance, biosafety compliance, WHS, and shared facility management to enable high-quality scientific outcomes.

The role requires senior leadership across multiple partners, with a focus on collaboration, strategic advice, and stakeholder engagement to support Queensland's environmental and scientific priorities.

Qualifications

• Experience leading across complex organisational environments and influencing outcomes without direct authority.
• Strong interpersonal and written communication skills, leadership, relationship management and negotiation ability.
• Experience in science infrastructure, operations or research support within government-funded science organisations.
• Commitment to workplace safety, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and optimise shared science infrastructure and facility management across ESP agencies.
• Oversee operational governance, biosafety compliance, and workplace health and safety.
• Foster cross-agency collaboration and provide strategic advice on complex governance matters.
• Develop and maintain strong partnerships to enable informed decision making across ESP agencies.

Skills

Cross-agency leadership

Stakeholder communication

Relationship management

Negotiation

Problem solving

Customer service focus

Job description

Are you an experienced operations leader who thrives in complex stakeholder environments?

We are seeking a Manager, Science Infrastructure and Operations to provide cross agency leadership and strategic oversight across the Ecosciences Precinct at Dutton Park.

This unique leadership role works across multiple partner agencies, creating the conditions that enable organisations to focus on science outcomes rather than organisational boundaries.

You will lead the coordination of shared science infrastructure, operational governance, biosecurity compliance, workplace health & safety & shared facility management. Working closely with senior leaders, scientists, regulators & service providers, you will foster collaboration, support compliance & provide strategic advice on complex operational & governance matters within a unique multi-agency science environment.

The Ecosciences Precinct, located at Dutton Park in Brisbane, is a unique multi agency science environment where scientists, technical specialists and corporate teams work together to deliver research that supports Queensland and Australia's environmental, agricultural, biosecurity and scientific priorities.

Home to more than 900 scientists and support staff from organisations including the Queensland Government, CSIRO, The University of Queensland and other partner universities, the precinct enables collaboration on some of Australia's most significant environmental, agricultural and biosecurity challenges.

Behind this important work is a complex network of shared laboratories, quarantine and containment facilities, scientific infrastructure, operational services and governance arrangements that must remain safe, compliant and fit for purpose.

About The Role

As the Manager Science Infrastructure & Operations, you will provide precinct-wide leadership and oversight to coordinate and optimise shared science infrastructure, operational governance, biosecurity compliance, workplace health and safety, and facility management activities across this unique multi-agency environment.

Working on behalf of the Ecosciences Precinct Joint Oversight Committee, you will help create the conditions that enable scientific excellence by ensuring partner agencies can focus on delivering research outcomes rather than organisational boundaries.

This is not a traditional facilities management role, nor is it a laboratory management position within a single organisation. It is a highly collaborative leadership role operating at the intersection of science, infrastructure, governance, biosecurity, WHS, risk management and stakeholder engagement. Success in this role will be reflected in the effective operation of shared science infrastructure and operational services, the maintenance of a safe, compliant and well-governed science and operational environment, and the development of strong partnerships that enable collaboration and informed decision making across ESP agencies.

What We're Looking For

• Outstanding leadership capabilities, demonstrated through success in leading across complex organisational environments, influencing outcomes without direct authority, and building collaborative relationships across multiple stakeholders, agencies and governance structures.
• High level interpersonal and written communication skills, well-developed leadership, relationship management and negotiation ability, organisational and problem-solving skills, and a strong customer service focus.
• Demonstrated experience in science infrastructure, operations or research support environments, with an understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing government-funded science organisations.
• A commitment to workplace safety, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

What's in it for you?

• Be part of a welcoming and supportive team that values your contributions.
• Work in a dynamic environment where your efforts directly support Queensland's science and environmental priorities.
• Enjoy flexible working arrangements and opportunities for professional growth.

Occupational group Sciences