Position No: 0064933
Location: Parkville
Role type: Full-time; Fixed-term till 31 December 2025
Department: Research, Innovation and Commercialisation
Salary: UOM 6 - $96,459 - $104,413 p.a. plus 17% super

• Support major research initiatives by delivering pre-award grant services and fostering high-quality research proposals to secure research funding.
• Collaborate with and advise University researchers on the development of high-impact interdisciplinary research grant proposals.
• Brilliant benefits and a flexible hybrid work environment!

About the Role
The Major Initiatives Officer plays a key role within the Innovation and Enterprise (I&E) portfolio, supporting the development and delivery of major research and enterprise initiatives. You will provide pre-award support for high-value and collaborative research funding schemes, assisting researchers and the University in preparing high-quality grant applications and meeting sponsor obligations. This role also involves coordinating funding scheme activities, monitoring application pipelines, and contributing to strategic initiatives that drive research income growth.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Coordinating pre-award planning and preparation, including reviewing and submitting funding proposals in collaboration with academic divisions, Chancellery, and external funding agencies.
• Providing strategic and technical advice to researchers and faculty staff, organising seminars and workshops, and maintaining accurate research data in systems to support reporting and analysis.
• Developing and maintaining strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including academic divisions, senior research managers, and funding bodies.
• Supporting funding scheme submissions through pipeline tracking, communication of outcomes, analysis, and providing high-quality advice to inform senior University leadership and assist decision-making.

Who we are looking for

You will have excellent customer service and communication skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with academic and professional staff while working collaboratively in a team environment. You will thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced setting, demonstrating adaptability and a commitment to delivering high-quality service to diverse clients.

You will also have:

• Proven experience in service-oriented research administration, showcasing initiative, strong organisational and planning skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Proficiency in using various computer systems and the ability to quickly adapt to new applications.
• Knowledge of the research funding landscape, including experience in managing key funding calls across the proposal life cycle, and experience with research management systems and processes.
• A tertiary degree and/or relevant work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

For further information regarding responsibilities and requirements please refer to the attached PD.

This role requires the successful candidate to undergo and maintain an up-to-date Working with Children Check. This is essential to guarantee a secure environment for all individuals at the University. If the selected candidate doesn't have a valid Working with Children Check, they will be able to apply for the WWCC as part of the initial onboarding procedures.

Please note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. This role requires current valid work rights for Australia.

Your new team – Research, Innovation and Commercialisation (RIC)
Research, Innovation and Commercialisation (RIC) is the central facilitator of research funding in the University, taking advantage of the full diversity of research funding opportunities. RIC is a specialist team dedicated to enabling the University's research and enterprise mission working closely with our academics, professional colleagues, industry partners, funding agencies and government agencies. We have a passion to see our academics and their collaboration partners succeed, achieve research excellence and translate their discoveries into real-world innovation and impact. RIC operates University-wide across all nine Academic Divisions and Chancellery.

What we offer you!
In addition, we offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a range of benefits including generous leave provisions, salary packaging, health and well-being services, and discounts on graduate courses. For more information check out our benefits page!

The University of Melbourne
We’re tightly connected with the community, both at home and abroad. We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website and stay connected with our stories and people on LinkedIn.

Be yourself
The University of Melbourne values the unique backgrounds, experiences, and contributions that each person brings to our community and welcomes and celebrates diversity. First Nations people, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, parents, carers, people of all ages, abilities, and genders, and people of diverse ethnicity, nationality, and faith are encouraged to apply. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community in which we live. For more information please visit our Diversity and Inclusion page.

We are dedicated to ensuring barrier-free and inclusive practices to recruit the most talented candidates. If you require reasonable adjustments, please contact the employee listed on the first page of the Position Description found below, with an email containing your name and contact details for a confidential discussion. Please ensure your email is titled "Reasonable Adjustments Request".

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants
We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians, with unprecedented investment to attract, nurture, and retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff. Tangible support through a range of programs and initiatives will ensure that you personally succeed and flourish while at the University of Melbourne.

For further information, including our 2023-2027 Indigenous strategy please visit -https://about.unimelb.edu.au/reconciliation/murmuk-djerring

Join Us!
If you feel this role is right for you, please apply with the following documents:

• Resume
• Cover Letter outlining your interest and experience
• Brief responses against the Selection Criteria (found in the Position Description)

If you have any questions regarding the recruitment process, please feel free to contact Rehan via email at [email protected], ensuring that you include the Position Number and the Job Title as the subject. Please do not share your application to this email address.

If you have any particular questions regarding the job please follow the contact details listed on the Position Description.

Applications close: 3 March 2025 11:55 PM Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST)

Position Description: 0064933 - Major Initiatives Officer.pdf