Assistant Directors, Programs and Services Branch

About the Positions

The ARC is seeking capable and outcomes-focused EL1 Assistant Directors to lead small teams across the Programs and Services Branch. These roles are central to the management and delivery of a major government grants program, with a strong focus on fair, transparent, policy-aligned and high-quality outcomes.

The Programs and Services Branch supports the research sector to produce excellent and impactful research for Australia’s economic, social, environmental and cultural benefit through the delivery and administration of the National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP). It also provides a service delivery model to other government funding programs through Research Grants Services, spanning the grants lifecycle from program design through to competitive selection and grant agreement management.

The roles require the capability expected of an EL1 leader: translate strategic direction into practical action, set clear priorities, exercise sound judgement in complex grants administration matters, manage risk and compliance, and work collaboratively across policy, operations, assurance, finance, legal and sector-facing functions.

Assistant Directors will also contribute to implementation of the recently released NCGP Policy Review Final Report and identify, lead and embed business and process improvements that strengthen program delivery, integrity and stakeholder experience.

Vacancies are currently available in the following sections:

The Design Section leads design of the implementation of NCGP grant programs to deliver policy-aligned, operationally viable grant opportunities that identify research excellence and meet sector needs. Key functions include:

• Program design: Set scheme round timing, budget modelling and grant opportunity guidelines.
• Applicant experience: Provide guidance, resources and engagement to support participation.
• Integrated implementation: Partner across policy, operations and evaluation to ensure CGRP-aligned implementation and continuous improvement.

The Select Section leads the assessment and selection phase of the NCGP to ensure fair, robust and policy-aligned funding decisions. Key functions include:

• Deliver rigorous assessment: Manage merit-based processes, including competitive peer review, to assess eligibility, merit, value and risk.
• Support robust decisions: Ensure outcomes align with program intent, Government priorities and operational feasibility.
• Assessor management and support: Provide engagement and guidance to support participation.
• Enable integration and improvement: Partner with design, operations and policy functions to strengthen assurance, integrity and continuous improvement.

The Establish and Manage Section delivers the post-award stage of the NCGP to ensure funding outcomes are effectively implemented and managed. Key functions include:

• Establish funded projects: Formalise outcomes through grant agreements, creation of projects, and online induction of recipients.
• Manage compliance and outcomes: Oversee payments, reporting, variations and assurance to ensure projects meet obligations and manage risk.
• Enable outcomes and value for money: Support administering organisations to deliver project objectives and effective use of public funds.

Duties and Tasks

• Lead small teams through key stages of government grants management and delivery; set clear priorities, expectations and timeframes aligned to ARC and Branch objectives.
• Administer grants program activities in accordance with legislation, the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles, ARC policies, grant opportunity guidelines, delegations and assurance requirements.
• Plan, coordinate and monitor grant round and post-award processes; identify risks, resolve issues, escalate matters and maintain accurate decision records.
• Provide direction, coaching and feedback to staff; build capability, support performance and connect individual work to program integrity, public value and ARC priorities.
• Engage stakeholders and prepare high-quality advice, briefs, reports, guidance and correspondence on complex grants administration matters.
• Use evidence, data and stakeholder feedback to identify, lead and embed business and process improvements, strengthen assurance and integrity, and model APS Values, judgement and accountability.

Required Skills and Knowledge

• Strong understanding of Commonwealth grants administration, including the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles, accountable authority obligations, probity, risk, value for money and public sector decision-making.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex programs or projects, including planning work, monitoring progress, resolving problems and achieving quality outcomes within agreed timeframes.
• Sound judgement, analytical capability and risk awareness, with the ability to assess evidence, identify issues, consider options and make balanced recommendations in a government grants context.
• Ability to lead and develop staff, build capability, encourage collaboration and maintain focus on quality outcomes and continuous improvement.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills, including the ability to build productive relationships, anticipate needs, facilitate cooperation, prepare clear advice and tailor messages for different audiences.
• Personal drive, integrity and resilience, including the ability to adapt to change, maintain professionalism under pressure and contribute positively to team culture.

Our Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidate is an effective EL1 leader who can lead small teams, exercise sound judgement and support fair, transparent and accountable grants administration.

We are looking for candidates who are: 

• Outcomes-focused – You plan, prioritise and complete work while maintaining quality, assurance and clear records in a complex grants environment.
• Strategic and practical – You connect operational tasks to ARC objectives, program integrity and public value.
• Collaborative – You build productive relationships, share information and work with others to achieve policy-aligned grants outcomes.
• Resilient and accountable – You exercise good judgement, adapt to change and take responsibility for achieving outcomes.
• Improvement-minded – You use information and stakeholder feedback to identify better ways of working and strengthen grants administration practice.

What you'll gain from the experience 

As part of the Programs and Services Branch, you will build EL1 leadership capability in a high-profile government grants environment. You will lead small teams through complex grant rounds and post-award processes, contribute to implementation of the recently released NCGP Policy Review Final Report, and drive business and process improvements that strengthen integrity, assurance and stakeholder service.

The role offers the opportunity to influence a nationally significant research funding program, deepen your understanding of Commonwealth grants administration and the Australian research sector, and develop the judgement, stakeholder engagement and program management skills expected of an EL1 leader.

About our team 

At the ARC we contribute to growing knowledge and innovation for the benefit of the Australian community. The ARC is a small, dynamic agency known for high-quality grants administration, research policy advice, powerful data assets, and fostering research quality, translation, impact and integrity. The advertised positions sit within the Programs and Services Branch, which oversees the NCGP and provides grants services to other government funding programs through Research Grants Services.

Diversity and Inclusion 

We welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds including, but not limited to, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people who identify as LGBTIQA+, people with a disability, and people from a culturally and linguistically diverse background.

The ARC expects all staff to understand workplace diversity, workplace participation, a safe working environment and access and equity principles, and to promote these principles in the development and implementation of policies and programs.

• Must be an Australian citizen
• Must undergo an ID verification check
• Must undergo a criminal history check
• Must hold or be able to obtain a Baseline Commonwealth security clearance

For further information about our Agency and what we offer, please refer to the ARC Website.

The ARC is a non-corporate Commonwealth entity established under the Australian Research Council Act 2001 (ARC Act). It is located within the Australian Government’s Education portfolio and reports to the Minister for Education. The ARC is a vital component of Australia’s innovation and research system. It plays an integral role in supporting the research sector to produce excellent and impactful research for Australia’s economic, social, environmental and cultural benefit through the delivery of the National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP). The NCGP funds excellent pure basic, strategic basic and applied research in all disciplines except medical research. The ARC’s broader remit includes the provision of high-quality research policy advice to the Australian Government and supporting research security and integrity. It also includes promoting ethical research, evaluating the excellence, impact and depth of Australian research and expanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems. It also facilitates partnerships between researchers and industry, government, community organisations and the international community.