Charles Darwin University

Position Profile

Position title:  Manager Operations and Research Strategy

Position number:  9916

Position classification:  Professional Employee Level 9

Organisational unit:  Research and Innovation

Location:  Casuarina Campus

Reporting to title:  Director of Research and Innovation

Special provisions:

  • Will be required to travel off the Casuarina campus to meetings in Darwin and elsewhere in Australia.
  • Annual leave dates may need to be negotiated around workload timelines

 

SECTION 1: Purpose of the position

Reporting to the Director of Research and Innovation, the Manager will undertake a range of high level tasks to strengthen and advance the research efforts of ORI including the identification and implementation of special projects and strategic initiatives, research and analysis to inform briefings on strategic issues relating to research, and strengthening ORI’s business processes. The Manager will support the management and continued improvement of business systems and resources for operational quality assurance, regulatory compliance and continued improvement of stakeholder engagement as well as service provision to the CDU research community.The Manager Operations and Research Strategy as a key member of the Charles Darwin University (CDU) Research Portfolio’s management team is responsible for the strategic and operational management of CDU’s Office of Research and Innovation (ORI). The position provides high level policy and operational advice and strategic planning and management support relating to research management policies, procedures, operations, and plans to support the University’s research priorities and objectives.

 

SECTION 2: Key accountabilities

The following accountabilities are not exhaustive and may include others as directed from time-to-time.

 Strategic Initiatives, Research and Analysis

  • Develop, implement and drive strategies to promote best practice, continuous improvement, high performance and productivity within the Office of Research and Innovation across all aspects of research administration.
  • Be responsible for scoping and implementing special projects and strategic initiatives as determined by the Director of Research and Innovation and DVCRI. Project tasks will require the incumbent to exercise sound judgment through a high level of delegated responsibility, requiring cross-functional engagement with key staff across CDU, and with external stakeholders, as appropriate.
  • Provide support for the convening of a range of meetings on research projects of importance to CDU. This may include undertaking research, tracking trends, preparing presentations; development of meeting agendas; drafting briefing papers and/or compiling pertinent background materials for attendees; and ensuring appropriate and effective communications with participants, as needed.
  • Assist the Director of Research and Innovation in developing high quality proposals for complex multi-party projects and initiatives, including proposals for largescale funding opportunities.
  • Analyze and evaluate research related policy initiatives, Commonwealth and State Government reports and legislation, and developments within the higher education sector to prepare high level reports as directed by the Director of Research and Innovation.
  • Undertake self-directed research and analysis to support critical comment and briefings on strategic, operational and sector-wide issues relating to research to inform research portfolio policy decisions.

Policy Development, Systems and Processes

  • Responsible for implementation of ORI business processes, underpinned by research portfolio’s policy, and standardised guidelines and manuals with an underlying culture of excellence.
  • Ensure the operation of research monitoring systems that lead to the successful achievement of the organisations’ overall research goals, including management of risk.
  • Actively promote an environment in ORI which embraces, and strives for quality, excellence, respect and appreciation of others, reflection and continuous improvement.
  • Actively engage in implementation of ORI’s communication and engagement Strategies to improve the quality and regularity of interactions with CDU’s stakeholders.
  • Promote positive relationships and communication within the ORI team and with key stakeholders, encouraging a culture of information sharing and collaboration.

Leadership and Management

  • Manage all incoming strategic and operational business to ORI including liaising with key stakeholders as required and taking action to ensure that matters are dealt with in a timely and effective manner.
  • Responsible for supervisory responsibilities within ORI during periods when other supervisors are on leave or as directed by the Director of Research and Innovation.
  • Represent CDU’s Research Portfolio at meetings within the University, the broader community and national forums like IRU, ARMS and Universities Australia.
  • Work with the Director of Research and Innovation and Finance and Administration Officer to effectively manage cash flow and budgets including preparation of Research Block Grant Budgets.
  • Support the Research portfolio leaders to effectively manage the University’s research budget, and ensure accountability and reporting requirements are met by both CDU.
  • Facilitate stakeholder relationship building to ensure understanding and compliance with guidelines and requirements related to commonwealth funding including Research Block Grants including acquittal responsibilities.
  • Regularly meet with CDU’s key internal stakeholders to ensure service needs are met; serving as subject matter expert or delegating as required to team members to address business concerns or needs.
  • Work closely with the leaders of each workgroup within ORI and maintain influential and effective working relationships with staff in most areas of the University, and across a wide range of levels of responsibility.
  • Establish effective and strategic working relationships with the Senior Executive and other staff in the Vice Chancellor’s Office and other key stakeholders across CDU as well as external stakeholders.
  • Perform additional duties as assigned by the Director of Research and Innovation.

 

SECTION 3: Selection competencies

Essential competencies

  1. Post Graduate qualifications or equivalent and demonstrated skills and knowledge relevant to shaping research strategy and advancing organizational reform.
  2. Demonstrated high-level knowledge of the Australian research sector.
  3. Quantitative and qualitative analysis skills, with ability to source and synthesize complex information and to prepare recommendations, briefs and proposals.
  4. Demonstrated ability to communicate, both orally and in writing, with a wide range of stakeholders in an accurate and timely manner. Written skills must be of high quality and with an ability to create quality written material under pressure within set time limits.
  5. Understanding of planning, budgeting and financial management, and the ability to analyze and interpret financial and research performance data using spreadsheets.
  6. Demonstrated project management, organizational and administrative skills, including the ability to work independently, to address simultaneously a variety of complex and sensitive matters.
  7. Ability to work to tight deadlines, with little supervision and with focus on outcomes, as well as highly developed attention to detail, can-do attitude and diplomacy in working with others.
  8. Ability to identify and pursue opportunities in research and innovation, for the benefit of the university.

Desirable competencies

  1. Knowledge and understanding of research environments and current issues in Australian higher education relating to research, research training, innovation, and research quality.
  2. Demonstrated experience in the administrative management of staff including recruitment, probation, discipline, performance management and professional development

EOI to steve.rogers@cdu.edu.au

Closing 03 January 2022