Research Program Manager

• Employment Type:Full-time
• Duration: Fixed-term until 31 January 2028 with the possibility of extension
• Remuneration:Level 8: $132,445 - $149,228 + 17% Super + Leave Loading
• Location: UNSW Randwick

About UNSW:
UNSW isn’t like other places you’ve worked. Yes, we’re a large organisation with a diverse and talented community, a community doing extraordinary things. Together, we are driven to be thoughtful, practical, and purposeful in all we do. Taking this combined approach is what makes our work matter. If you want a career where you can thrive, be challenged and do meaningful work, you’re in the right place.

Why Your Role Matters:
The Research Program Manager plays a strategic and operational leadership role in the planning, development and delivery of a multi-centre portfolio of research projects focused on the quality use of medicines (QUM). This role supports the day-to-day running of projects, research strategy, manages funding applications and grants, ensures compliance with ethics and regulatory requirements, and facilitates knowledge translation.

The Research Program Manager coordinates multidisciplinary teams and collaborations, monitors research outputs and impact, and contributes to the overall success and sustainability of the research program. The role reports to the program Chief Investigators and has no direct reports.

Responsibilities Summary:

• Support research strategy and development to advance the program’s objectives and long-term impact.
• Manage research funding applications and grants, including drafting documentation, coordinating input from collaborators and ensuring alignment with funding body requirements.
• Ensure compliance with relevant governance, ethics and regulatory frameworks applicable to the conduct of research projects.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary research teams and collaborations, including researchers, clinicians, policy experts and administrative staff.
• Undertake day-to-day project management by leading the planning, execution and delivery of research projects, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and timelines.
• Lead project governance activities and maintain project documentation including project plans, risk registers, stakeholder maps, budgets and progress reports.
• Manage project risks, issues, change requests and financials, implementing mitigation strategies and ensuring project resilience.
• Monitor research progress and performance against milestones, budgets and deliverables, and provide regular updates to investigator teams and funding bodies.
• Perform data collection, management and analysis to support research objectives.
• Facilitate effective stakeholder engagement across clinical, academic and policy sectors, ensuring transparent communication and collaboration.
• Oversee quality assurance processes and support dissemination of project findings through reports, presentations and publications, contributing to knowledge translation and policy influence.
• Monitor research outputs and impact and represent the research program across UNSW work areas, advisory groups, and at local and national meetings; lead and manage other program-wide research activities as required.

For more information regarding the responsibilities for this role, please refer to the Position Description at JOBS@UNSW.

Skills and Experience Summary:

• Relevant Master’s level tertiary qualification with substantial experience in managing research projects, or equivalent competence gained through a combination of education, training and experience.
• Proven experience in research project management, with a strong understanding of the full project lifecycle, including strategic planning, execution, monitoring and reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to support research strategy and development, including contributions to funding applications and grant management.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills, with a high level of attention to detail in documentation, reporting and stakeholder communications.
• Proven ability to support knowledge translation and dissemination through publications, presentations and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience working collaboratively with diverse teams, including researchers, clinicians, policy experts and administrative staff, across academic and external environments.
• Familiarity with ethics and regulatory compliance processes relevant to health and medical research.
• Sound knowledge of budgeting, financial management and resource allocation procedures within a research context.
• Experience in data collection, management and analysis to support research outcomes.
• High-level proficiency in using a range of computer systems and applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel and project management tools.
• Excellent time management skills, with a demonstrated ability to respond to changing priorities, manage multiple tasks and meet competing deadlines using judgement and initiative.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and productively within a team, while also taking initiative and working independently when managing competing demands.

Benefits and Culture:
People are at the core of everything we do. We recognise it is the contributions of our staff who make UNSW one of the best universities in Australia and the world. Our benefits include:

• Career development opportunities
• 17% Superannuation contributions and additional leave loading payments
• Additional 3 days of leave over Christmas period
• Discounts and entitlements (retail, education, fitness)

How to Apply:
Submit your CV and a cover letter addressing your suitability for the role in relation to the selection criteria (listed under ‘Skills & Experience’ in the Position Description) via the application portal.

Applications close: 11:30pm on 22 September

A copy of the Position Description can be found on JOBS@UNSW.

Get in Touch: For queries regarding the recruitment process, contact Merita O’Connell, Talent Acquisition Partner, UNSW: merita.oconnell@unsw.edu.au

Applications sent via email will not be accepted, please apply via the application portal.

Pre-Employment Checks

Aligned with UNSW’s focus on cultivating a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct, and strong integrity preferred candidates will be required to participate in a combination of pre-employment checks relevant to the role they have applied for.

These pre-employment checks may include a combination of some of the following checks:-

• National and International Criminal history checks
• Entitlement to work and ID checks
• Working With Children Checks
• Completion of a Gender-Based Violence Prevention Declaration
• Verification of relevant qualifications
• Verification of relevant professional membership
• Employment history and reference checks
• Financial responsibility assessments/checks.
• Medical Checks and Assessments

Compliance with the necessary combination of these checks is a condition of employment at UNSW.

UNSW is committed to evolving a culture that embraces equity and supports a diverse and inclusive community where everyone can participate fairly, in a safe and respectful environment. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and encourage applications from people of diverse gender, sexual orientation, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, people with disability and those with caring and family responsibilities. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff.

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.