ABOUT TUNRA:

The University of Newcastle Research Associates Limited (TUNRA) is a subsidiary (Controlled Entity) of the University of Newcastle and represents an important part of the University’s overall strategy of leveraging capability and assets to create additional value for the University.

TUNRA has a long history of service excellence and industry engagement, delivering a range of services to customers both in Australia and overseas since its establishment in 1969. The strength of the TUNRA operating model has been in its ability to engage directly with industry and government to provide research services that contribute further to the University’s research and innovation objectives.

TUNRA provides a robust and responsive customer service environment supported by a flexible operating model that can support additional opportunities for the University to leverage assets and resources and consider new services and new markets to deliver greater benefit to industry.

TUNRA Connect was established to support commercial projects in collaboration with, and across, all three colleges of the University and is focused on supporting industry engagement efforts aligned with The University’s Engagement Priorities.

ROLE DESCRIPTION

The Business/Project Development Manager (PDM) is accountable for generating new commercial opportunities and converting them into successfully delivered projects. Working hand‑in‑hand with academic researchers and professional staff, the PDM leads end‑to‑end project development, including early scoping, proposal drafting, budget modelling, contract negotiation, start‑up, milestone monitoring and close‑out. The role builds strategic relationships across the University and industry, ensuring that each engagement is commercially viable, contractually sound and positioned for impact. In doing so, the PDM grows TUNRA’s revenue, strengthens researcher capability and safeguards project delivery.

The PDM will provide project and contract management support to facilitate new project opportunities and work with the Division Manager to identify, develop and execute strategies and plans to grow TUNRA Connect in alignment with business unit objectives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Business Development

Build and maintain strategic relationships with industry, government, and community partners to promote TUNRA and University research capabilities.

Collaborate with academic staff to scope and develop project proposals and budgets tailored to external partner needs.

Maintain a robust pipeline of prospects and proposals, tracking progress, value, and probability.

Identify and respond to commercial opportunities including RFTs and RFPs, ensuring alignment with TUNRA’s strategic goals.

Represent TUNRA in internal and external forums, promoting its project management expertise and fostering long-term engagement.

2. Project Development

Lead project scoping workshops to define objectives, deliverables, resources, and risks.

Prepare compelling proposals, budgets, and cash flows that meet commercial and academic expectations.

Coordinate internal approvals and safety clearances, and negotiate contract terms including IP and payment schedules.

Ensure smooth project handover and remain a point of escalation throughout delivery.

3. Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

Facilitate project kickoff meetings and regular reviews to ensure clarity on scope, schedule, budget, and risk.

Build strong relationships with researchers and University leadership to support collaboration and commercialisation.

Deliver presentations and reports to internal and external stakeholders, showcasing TUNRA’s model and impact.

Support industry-specific events and initiatives that connect researchers with external partners.

4. Project Administration

Provide contract management support, including safety approvals and compliance.

Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of project management procedures and systems.

5. Governance & Compliance

Ensure all projects comply with TUNRA and University policies, including legal, financial, and risk management requirements.

Develop and execute project and risk management plans in consultation with relevant stakeholders.

Uphold work health and safety standards, reporting hazards and contributing to policy updates.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

Postgraduate qualifications or progress towards postgraduate qualifications and extensive relevant experience; or extensive relevant experience and management expertise; or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training.

Proven expertise working in a professional environment with input to the development and achievement of strategic objectives and key performance indicators through the exploitation of strategic partnerships.

Proven success in end-to-end development of research or consulting project, including scoping, budgeting, proposal writing and contract negotiation.

Demonstrable capacity to deliver confidential and outstanding professional and project support in a complex environment whilst exercising judgement and discretion.

A strong track record in successfully managing a range of competing projects and priorities, applying initiative and resolving complex issues.

Demonstrated ability to build rapport and effectively engage with a diverse range of stakeholders, including industry representatives, funding bodies, and government agencies.

Demonstrated ability to work with cross-functional teams, manage multiple projects and deliver expected outcomes within competing deadlines.

Excellent written and oral communication skills with an awareness of the importance of relationship building and engaging professional interpersonal, influencing, negotiation and communication skills.

Relevant systems knowledge and demonstrated high level computer skills including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio), Adobe and MS Outlook (Mail and Calendar).

Work and operate in a manner which supports the Health and Safety outcomes of our people and our business.

Applications are welcome from a wide range of backgrounds, however note that to be successful in the role the successful applicant will need to have some form of technical training. Note that prior experience in a formal business development role is not essential, and prior experience with project scoping, budgeting and contract management will be viewed favorably.

This is a full-time role initially one-year fixed-term contract, and due to the nature of the work it is anticipated that the work will need to be delivered from an office location. Flexibility in work hours and work from home can be accommodated where the role allows.

Please include a cover letter with your resume that addresses your motivation for applying for the role and how your experience meets the responsibilities of the role. Your cover letter should not be more than one page long. Applications will close Friday, 29th August, and note that shortlisted candidates may be contacted before the closing date.

Apply early! This role may close sooner than the listed closing date if we find the right candidate, so don’t wait to get your application in.

All applications are treated with confidence. Please address all applications to Dan Smith, Division Manager, TUNRA Connect. Contact details are [email protected], 0460 760 328.