Senior Research Development Manager (Two positions)

The Office for Research delivers professional research support services with functions spanning key infrastructure and facilities, grants, development, ethics and integrity, policy, performance and reporting. Griffith University is one of Australia’s largest universities. It is research intensive, inclusive, innovative, progressive, deeply engaged in the Asia-Pacific region, and committed to ensuring it contributes to society through research that provides social dividends.

As Senior Research Development Manager you will drive major strategic interdisciplinary research initiatives across Griffith, working with a range of internal and external partners to secure competitive research funding. This role involves providing strategic advice, fostering collaborations, and supporting researchers in developing successful major research funding applications.

The Senior Research Development Manager (SRDM) is responsible for assisting researchers in identifying opportunities, assessing feasibility, developing proposals, negotiating partner involvement, and managing strategic research grant opportunities for the University in selected disciplines. The SRDM will help to raise the research capability and profile of the University through increased participation in major strategic research collaborations both nationally and internationally, and in enhancing research income. The SRDM will also review, contribute to and/or coordinate the development of strategic grant applications and major collaborative and inter-disciplinary research funding proposals across the University.

The Senior Research Development Manager operates under broad direction and proactively coordinates research development activities across Griffith University to deliver a multi-year pipeline of strategic and major funding proposals, ensuring quality at every stage. The role works closely with internal and external stakeholders to align resources and foster collaborations across disciplines and with external partners.

The role will be based in the Office for Research but will work closely with particular academic elements of the University. The position will be expected to liaise with the Directors of relevant research institutes and centres, as well as the appropriate Pro Vice Chancellor and Deans Research. A key requirement of the role is the ability to work effectively across multiple disciplines to support major research initiatives that are inherently interdisciplinary.

We are interested in applicants with a background in one or more of STEM and Arts, Education & Law disciplines. Experience in major ARC grant schemes would also be an advantage.

About you
The successful candidate will hold a degree, preferably a higher research degree, in a discipline relevant to Griffith’s research capabilities, and relevant experience; or an equivalent alternative combination of relevant knowledge and extensive experience in research management or research development.

You will also have:

• Proven ability to identify, develop, and drive large-scale, collaborative research initiatives and secure major funding opportunities.
• Extensive experience providing strategic advice and research development support within a university, industry, or government setting.
• Strong relationship-building and influencing skills, with the ability to engage effectively with researchers, senior leadership, industry partners, and funding bodies.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex research funding landscapes and develop competitive positioning strategies.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to prepare high-quality proposals, reports, and presentations, and deliver and/or facilitate engaging workshops and training.
• A proactive and adaptable mindset, with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, think strategically, and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a team and across disciplines to achieve shared goals and deliver major research initiatives.

What we can offer
These are fixed term (12 months), full-time positions primarily based at either Griffith University Brisbane South (Nathan) or Gold Coast. As Griffith is a multi-site University you may be required to work across other locations. Griffith University’s campuses are located on the lands of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera, Turrbal, Yugambeh and Kombumerri peoples.

Salary Range
The full-time base salary for a HEW Level 9 is in the range $132,655 - $137,398 per annum, plus 17% employer superannuation. The total FTE package is in the range $155,206 - $160,756 per annum.