Research Grant Officer

• Permanent, full-time position with free onsite parking
• A fantastic opportunity to play a pivotal role in securing and managing research funding that advances innovation, scholarship, and institutional impact.
• Be an integral part of Excelsia’s life-transforming global Christian learning community.

About the Role

The Grants Officer delivers high-quality administrative, financial, and strategic support across the full research grant lifecycle. The role strengthens the competitiveness of applications to major funding schemes – including government, industry, and community grants – while ensuring strict adherence to Excelsia University College policies, budget structures, and legal compliance frameworks.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Strengthen research funding capability by promoting and supporting access to external funding opportunities.
• Provide strategic, high-level advice that strengthens the competitiveness and quality of grant applications.
• Maintain effective research administration systems and submission processes.
• Deliver accurate and strategically aligned budgets that maximise cost recovery and sustainability.
• Ensure successful grants are established and administered effectively.
• Ensure research funding is administered in accordance with ethical, legal and institutional requirements.
• Maintain accurate, reliable, and timely grant data to support institutional reporting and strategic decision-making.
• Act as a trusted advisor and central point of expertise in research grant administration.

Selection Criteria

Qualifications and Professional Standing:

• Committed Christian involved in a local congregation.
• Possession of relevant tertiary qualification in research administration, business, finance, or a related field, or equivalent demonstrated experience.
• Demonstrated experience in research administration, grant writing, or post-award contract management within an Australian university setting.
• Experience in a higher education setting (or equivalent) would be an advantage.
• An understanding of current and emerging trends in higher education.
• Strong understanding of the grant lifecycle, including pre-award and post-award processes.
• Proven ability to interpret and apply complex external funding guidelines and legislative frameworks.
• Strong competency in constructing, reviewing, and reconciling complex research budgets, financial declarations, and institutional on-costs.
• Proficiency using institutional research management systems (e.g. Esploro, or equivalent platforms such as Pure or ResearchMaster), alongside federal funding portals such as RMS
• Technological literacy in a wide range of desktop applications to support reporting and analysis role requirements.
• Highly developed interpersonal and written communication skills, with a proven track record of guiding and negotiating with busy academic staff.
• Strong attention to detail in preparing documents, reports, and records.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, and confidence in presentations. 
• Exceptional organisational skills, with the ability to manage high-pressure workloads and competing deadlines during peak major grant rounds.
• Full Australian Working Rights.

About Us

Excelsia University College was founded in 1983 as Australia’s first Christian arts college and, together with Indiana Wesleyan University, we are part of a global Christian learning community with big plans to take Christian higher education to the next level in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region for undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Excelsia Benefits

• Maximise your “take home” income through our Salary Packaging scheme. 
• Enjoy family friendly policies, providing generous leave and working conditions. 
• Experience working in a spiritually rich environment, with opportunities to engage in devotions. 
• Upskill with our substantial tuition discount to eligible staff and their immediate families to study Excelsia courses. 
• Our employees have access to earned wages, the ability to save before you’re paid, financial education, and much more.

This full-time position is based in Pennant Hills.

How to Apply

If you meet the above criteria, you have a great opportunity to join our Christian community. Please provide your application with resume and covering letter addressing the position criteria via this website. If you have any queries regarding the position or application process, please contact us via work@excelsia.edu.au.

This position may be filled as soon as a suitable applicant is found, so early applications are encouraged.

Excelsia University College is a smoke free campus.