Research Impact Manager

About us

Wine Australia empowers the success of the Australian wine sector through Research, Innovation and Adoption to enhance global competitiveness and meet the challenges of tomorrow, today; Market Development to increase the demand and premium paid for Australian wine; and Regulatory Services to safeguard Australian wine's integrity and uphold the sector's reputation. Wine Australia is funded by the sector, for the sector. Established under the Wine Australia Act 2013, it is a Commonwealth Government statutory authority.

The Australian Wine Future Fund (AWFF) has been strategically designed to increase funding opportunities, create additional value, accelerate investments and deliver impactful solutions for the Australian grape and wine sector. It builds on existing research and innovation strategies but leverages Commonwealth Government funding available to Wine Australia for research and innovation, enabling Wine Australia to actively seek non-levy funding opportunities. For more information about the AWFF please see here (www. wineaustralia.com/about-us/australian-wine-future-fund).

Funded out of the AWFF (non-levy funded), the Research Impact Manager reports to the Senior Research Impact Manager and plays a key role in ensuring Wine Australia's research and innovation investments deliver measurable outcomes, practical sector benefits and meaningful industry adoption. The primary responsibility of this role is to provide crucial coordination and execution of the AWFF. Working closely with Program Managers, research partners and industry stakeholders, you will help design, monitor and support projects from concept through to implementation, ensuring investments remain aligned with sector priorities and deliver demonstrable impact.

Key responsibilities

Australian Wine Future Fund (AWFF) coordination and delivery 

• Acting as a key interface between Wine Australia and applicants to the AWFF, being the point of contact for applicants, project partners and co-investors. 

• Coordinating and administering open-call funding rounds and application processes. 

• Maintaining standards for project design and ensuring delivery against defined key results and measurable outcomes.

• Delivering and monitoring of projects with co-investment partners 

• Contributing information and insights for AWFF reporting and evaluation. 

• Ensuring a strong alignment between project delivery and sector priorities 

Research and innovation project delivery 

• Working closely with Wine Australia’s largest investment portfolio providing wine science subject matter expertise and ensuring progress of the grape and wine science portfolio through the innovation pipeline.

• Monitoring project progress against milestones, deliverables, budgets and timelines. 

• Reviewing reports and evidence to ensure project obligations are met. 

• Identifying and escalating emerging risks and delivery issues. 

Impact and outcomes management 

• Ensuring projects are designed around measurable outcomes and sector impact. 

• Supporting the development of Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) and other performance measures. 

• Validating project outcomes using evidence-based reporting approaches. 

• Helping project teams identify pathways to adoption and industry benefit. 

Stakeholder engagement and collaboration 

• Building productive relationships with research organisations, industry bodies, delivery partners and internal teams. 

• Collaborating across the business to support analysis, reporting and knowledge sharing. 

• Contributing insights to strategic planning and research investment decisions. 

About you

We are keen to hear from you if you possess the following:

• Tertiary qualifications in viticulture, oenology, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, plant sciences, soil sciences, agriculture, food technology, business or a related discipline

• At least five years' experience managing or delivering projects, programs or initiatives, ideally within research, innovation or industry development environments

• Good knowledge of wine making and/or wine science to inform project creation and progression

• Experience within the wine, agriculture or a related sector

• Experience delivering outcome-focused projects and programs

• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills

• Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability

• Ability to interpret data and use evidence to support decision-making

• A collaborative approach and ability to build productive relationships

• A focus on delivering practical outcomes and measurable impact 

• Experience with grant funding, R&D programs or innovation ecosystems desirable 

• Experience working with outcome-based delivery frameworks desirable. 

Why join Wine Australia

You’ll join a collaborative and supportive team, with flexible working arrangements and the opportunity to contribute to an industry that is globally recognised and highly regarded.

Wine Australia is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We encourage applications from First Nations peoples and people of all backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process and will provide reasonable adjustments for candidates who require them.

How to apply

Submit a cover letter and resume via Seek. Closing date:  COB 8 September 2026.

For further information about Wine Australia please visit our website: www.wineaustralia.com