Senior Manager, Research Contracts

• Flexible location + hybrid work arrangements
• Full-time and fixed term (December 2026 until October 2027)
• HEW 10 $153,668 + 17% Superannuation

Whether you're looking to broaden your leadership experience, deepen your impact in the research sector, or take the next step in your career, this opportunity offers the chance to play a pivotal role in advancing Deakin's research ambitions. As part of Research and Innovation, you'll work closely with senior leaders and key stakeholders to support world-class research outcomes through the leadership of research contract administration for competitive research funding and commercial research projects. At Deakin, we encourage our people to build meaningful partnerships, drive innovation, and contribute to work that creates lasting impact for our researchers, communities and industry partners.

• Lead the Research Contracts team, driving the delivery of strategic priorities and operational excellence across research funding and commercial research contract management.
• Partner with senior and executive stakeholders to influence decision-making, align priorities and support successful research outcomes.
• Provide leadership across complex research contract activities, ensuring effective governance, risk management and compliance.
• Foster collaboration across the University to remove barriers, build capability and enhance service delivery for researchers and stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships that support Deakin's long-term research objectives and organisational success.

• Postgraduate qualifications and significant leadership experience within research, higher education, legal, commercial, or similarly complex environments.
• Demonstrated success leading functions, teams or strategic initiatives involving research contracts, funding administration, or complex stakeholder environments.
• Strong strategic thinking and judgement, with the ability to navigate complexity and drive organisational outcomes.
• Proven ability to influence, negotiate and build trusted relationships with senior and executive stakeholders.
• Extensive experience managing governance, risk and compliance, with a strong understanding of policy and organisational frameworks

Please submit your updated resume and a short cover letter outlining your skills and experience.

For a confidential discussion regarding this role, please contact Ciara Boyd, Executive Director, Research Funding Services via Ciara.boyd@deakin.edu.au   

For a copy of the position description, please see below:

 Senior Manager Research Contracts - Sept 2026 (1).pdf

Deakin is a Victorian university with a global impact. We are an agile, dynamic, and innovative university committed to making a positive impact through our excellence in education, research and innovation and the contributions we make to the wider community.

We understand that our reputation has been built on the dedication and expertise of our staff and we offer a dynamic and diverse working environment with opportunities to grow and develop careers. We believe that a progressive, thriving culture will ensure that people choose to come, and stay at Deakin and contribute to our ongoing success.

We value diversity and aim to build an inclusive environment that champions, embraces and respects differences. We support and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people of all abilities, cultures, sexual orientation, and genders.

Pre-employment safety and suitability checks: In accordance with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence, appointment to this role is subject to successful completion of relevant pre-employment checks, including Working with Children Checks and candidate gender-based violence declarations.

Candidates may be asked to declare whether they have been investigated for an allegation of Gender‑based Violence, or determined to have engaged in conduct that constitutes Gender‑based Violence during the course of their previous employment, or otherwise in a legal process.  A declaration is not required from individuals who have experienced gender‑based violence.  A ‘Yes’ response does not automatically exclude a candidate from employment, and any information provided will be treated confidentially and considered only for relevance to the role and the University’s safety obligations.

Advertised: 14 Sep 2026 AUS Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: 27 Sep 2026 AUS Eastern Standard Time

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