Research Centre Development Manager

Australian Catholic University; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 154,000 - 181,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

17% employer superannuation

Salary packaging

Generous leave provisions

Flexible work

Job summary

Australian Catholic University invites applications for a Research Centre Development Manager to lead the strategic development, evaluation and business case creation for a proposed university Research Centre.

The role requires senior leadership across academic, corporate, government, industry and external funding stakeholders to ensure viability and alignment withACU priorities and research impact objectives.

Qualifications

• Strategic leadership experience preferred across academic, corporate, government and industry stakeholders.
• Strong financial literacy and ability to develop business cases and funding strategies.
• Proven ability to deliver decision-ready outputs with executive-level communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic development and business case preparation for a proposed Research Centre.
• Undertake comprehensive research, financial modelling, benchmarking and strategic analysis.
• Engage stakeholders across the university to assess viability and alignment with priorities.
• Develop strategic plan, operating model and implementation roadmap for sustainable operation over 5–10 years.
• Provide expert advisory support with high autonomy and delivery discipline.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Financial modelling

Executive communication

Leadership

Job description

Campus Location: Canberra, Australia | Blacktown, Australia | North Sydney, Australia | Strathfield, Australia | Brisbane, Australia | Adelaide, Australia | Ballarat, Australia | Melbourne, Australia

Job No: APTAV102498#004

• Lead and design the strategic development, business case preparation and implementation planning for a proposed research centre
• Work closely with stakeholders to assess the new facility's viability and alignment with university priorities
• ACU offers 17% employer superannuation, salary packaging and generous leave provisions
• Full time, fixed term 12 month opportunity working at any ACU campus

About The Role

Operating within National School of Allied Health, the Research Centre Development Manager is responsible for leading the strategic development, evaluation and business case preparation for a proposed university Research Centre. The position will provide high level leadership across academic, corporate, government, industry, community and external funding stakeholders to assess the new centre's viability, impact, governance, operating model, funding requirements and strategic benefits in alignment with ACU priorities and research impact objectives. Working with closely with stakeholders across the university the position will undertake comprehensive research, consultation, financial modelling, benchmarking and strategic analysis to deliver a compelling, evidence based business case that supports executive and governing body decision making. The Research Centre Development Manager will develop the strategic plan, business case, external funding strategy, financial operating model and implementation roadmap required to position the proposed centre for sustainable operation over a 5-10 year horizon. This role is expected to act as an expert advisor and operate with a high degree of autonomy, judgement and influence and requires exceptional strategic thinking, commercial and financial literacy, executive communication, stakeholder engagement and delivery discipline. The role holder will be a strongly performing individual able to work at pace, manage ambiguity and produce decision ready outputs consistently to an elevated quality.

Contact

General enquiries can be sent to Laura Miller, Professor, Occupational Therapy at: [e-mail]

What We Offer

• The University pursues an excellence agenda and offers an environment where staff are welcomed and safe, and valued through development, participation and involvement.
• Total remuneration valued to $181,480 - $181,480 total rem (pro rata) pa, including salary component $153,581 - $153,581 (pro rata) pa (HEW 10 Base 1), employer contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading.
• 17% employer superannuation contributions to eligible continuing and fixed-term staff.
• Annual leave loading of an equivalent to 17.5% of four weeks' salary pro rata payable, dependent on your commencement date.
• As an ACU staff member, you will have access to generous benefits which include but not limited to: flexible work, study leave, a variety of leave provisions and salary packaging. Find out more information about the benefits or working at ACU here.

Applications close: 15-OCT-2026 at 11:59pm AUS Eastern Standard Time

Preferred candidates will be required to complete mandatory pre-employment declarations and background checks, including those related to gender-based violence and foreign interference, in line with ACU's compliance requirements.

This position requires a Working with Children Check (WWCC) and/or Working with Vulnerable People Check (WWVP) (ACT only).

Candidates must hold Australian work rights to apply for this position. For permanent/ continuing roles, applicants must have permanent work rights. For further information visit Immigration and Citizenship(homeaffairs.gov.au)

Your Privacy of personal information is maintained in accordance with ACU policy. For more details visit: www.acu.edu.au/careers

ACU is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace culture that values diversity and enables our people to reach their potential. This is underpinned by our mission and values, grounded in our respect for all people and the advancement of the common good. In line with our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion we welcome candidates from all backgrounds and lived experiences. ACU is recognised as a Veteran Employment Supporter and veterans are encouraged to apply. ACU offers support for candidates that may require adjustments through the recruitment process. Please contact [e-mail] to discuss your requirements in confidence.

About ACU

Australian Catholic University (ACU) is a publicly funded university whose teaching, research and service is shaped by the vision of flourishing lives, thriving communities, and a more ethical future for our world. ACU has more than 2,500 staff and 34,000 students across eight campuses: Ballarat, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, North Sydney, Strathfield, Blacktown and Rome.

ACU draws on the Catholic intellectual tradition which values human reason and welcomes everyone regardless of their faith, cultural tradition or circumstances. ACU invites all staff - both academic and professional - to embrace, and to support in ways meaningful to them, its mission to respect the dignity of every human person, to seek knowledge and to advance the common good.

ACU does not accept candidate applications submitted by external recruitment agencies through the ACU careers website.

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