Lead research success through strategy, compliance, and collaborative team leadership Full time, continuing contract Offering a competitive SPS A remuneration package including 17% superannuation About the opportunity The Research Post-Award team supports the effective administration and management of research funding after grants have been awarded. We work closely with researchers, faculty, and professional services to ensure compliance, financial stewardship, and streamlined processes that enable impactful research outcomes. As the Associate Director, Research Grants, you will play a key leadership role in overseeing research grant operations, compliance, and governance at the University. As part of the Research Portfolio, you will lead a high-performing team supporting researchers across the full grant lifecycle. This is a strategic and operational position that ensures effective research support and drives excellence in service delivery and compliance. Your key responsibilities will be to: lead, mentor, and motivate a team of research grant support professionals, driving performance and development work closely with researchers, legal counsel, and senior leaders to support grant administration represent the Post Award team with professionalism and credibility manage with integrity, empathy, and resilience in a dynamic and complex environment use data and analytical insights to drive the strategic direction of research contract operations, including improvements in efficiency, reporting, risk management, and policy development provide expert guidance on grant execution, including contractual and commercial negotiations refine stakeholder engagement practices to enhance service delivery and collaboration oversee strategic reporting, budgeting and resource allocation across the research grants function. About you Are you a strategic leader ready to shape research excellence? This could be the perfect next step in your career! We are looking for someone who has: extensive experience in research grant administration, contract negotiation, and compliance within a complex environment, preferably including the Higher education sector a self-aware leadership style that reflects emotional resilience, adaptability, and an inclusive mindset a track record of leading and transforming professional teams, enhancing performance through mentoring, goal alignment, and a commitment to staff development and engagement a proven ability to interpret legislation and funding policies to support research activities and operational decisions experience using data to provide strategic foresight, operational planning and continuous improvement orientation. experience working with internal legal teams and researchers to resolve complex contractual issues If you’re ready to shape the future of research grant administration, we’d love to hear from you. Sponsorship / work rights for Australia Please note: you must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment. Pre-employment checks Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment. EEO statement At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTIQ. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion. How to apply Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page. For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard. Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply. For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or any documents in alternate formats, please contact Rachel Strong Recruitment Operations by email at rachel.strong@sydney.edu.au © The University of Sydney The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment. Click to view the Position Description for this role. Applications Close Sunday 25 May 2025 11:59 PM