Manager, Researcher Support and Development

GDG on Campus | University of Sydney • Darlington, SC

5d • $146,197 - $154,260

About The Position

Join the vibrant, cross‑disciplinary research culture of the Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning in a strategic leadership role that helps shape the future of built and designed environments. The School’s internationally recognised research spans digital and emerging technologies, housing futures, building performance, smart urbanism, social design, architectural theory and history, and the study of place and space—reflecting its commitment to tackling complex societal and environmental challenges. With an impressive portfolio of major competitive grants (including Laureate, Discovery Indigenous, Future Fellowships, DECRAs and Linkage projects) and cross‑faculty initiatives and several research centres in development, the School offers a rich and expanding environment for high‑impact research leadership.

The Manager Researcher Support and Development oversees the implementation of School and University research strategic plans in association with the Associate Deans (Research and Research Education), ensuring that there are sufficient resources and operational standards to deliver high level client support for academics. The Manager leads a team of professional support staff that provides operational support for researcher and research team development, project preparation and development, post-award services, research data management, and support for research events, groups and networks. This includes managing the pipeline and submission process of established grant schemes, particularly from research councils, as well as industry and non-traditional research opportunities. They will maintain high levels of compliance with university systems and regulations, identify appropriate team performance standards, and manage team capacity including planning for peak periods of research activity. They will also liaise with the central Marketing and Communications team, External Engagement, and the School General Manager in the production of research communications.

Requirements

• PhD or other postgraduate qualification with extensive experience and expertise in the research administrative field; or equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training
• sound negotiating and conflict resolution skills and a demonstrated level of tact and discretion in dealing with a variety of matters and providing excellent customer service and discretion in dealing with matters
• accuracy, absolute attention to detail and highly organised. Planning, analysis, and communication skills together with the ability to work according to strict deadlines and manage various demands
• numeracy skills together with experience in controlling income/expenditure for reconciliation/budget tracking, and managing invoice payments and purchases for a project
• experience project managing multiple work streams or working in large complex research projects and ability to work according to strict deadlines and manage various demands
• experience managing a diverse group of key internal/external stakeholders on large or complex research projects
• has previously worked in the higher education/tertiary sector or at a complex, multi-faceted organisation
• demonstrated experience managing staff through clear direction, coaching and performance development to achieve organisational goals.
• You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to apply.

Responsibilities

• provide sound, strategic advice and support to the development and implementation of the ongoing research strategy of the work unit
• provide effective leadership and management guidance and support to the research support staff including feedback, coaching and support for individual performance, career, and talent development, to build an effective and high performing team
• review and modify existing schemes and initiatives and their related processes and procedures to better align to research support objectives and implement revisions to streamline systems to support researchers more effectively
• play a pivotal role in identifying and communicating external research funding opportunities in all categories and ensure a repository of these opportunities is maintained in the School
• in association with the School General Manager, Associate Deans, other academic leads and the DVC Research Portfolio, develop an annual program of training and development opportunities across research, education, and professional development for researchers
• liaise with a wide range of stakeholders internal and external to the School to collect and collate research information (including funding opportunities), research events and achievements of researchers in the School
• manage the delivery of high-level administration activities and services, providing guidance to colleagues on the ongoing activities of the research support team, ensuring high quality, efficient administrative support is provided in a pro-active manner to researchers.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree