Chief Operations Officer - ARC Centre of Excellence for Our Future Oceans

• One of Australia’s leading research & teaching universities
• Vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community & inclusion
• Enjoy a career that makes a difference by collaborating & learning from the best

At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work.

THIS ROLE IS LOCATED IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA.

The Chief Operations Officer (COO) is a senior leadership position responsible for supporting the Centre Director in the strategic and operational delivery of the Australian Research Centre (ARC) Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Our Future Oceans. Working closely with the Centre Executive team, Advisory Boards, partner organisations and researchers, the COO leads the Centre’s operations, governance, financial management, stakeholder engagement, and organisational development to ensure the effective delivery of the Centre's mission and strategic objectives.

The COO oversees the day-to-day operations of the Centre and is instrumental in establishing and maintaining operational workflows and underpinning systems and technologies that minimise administrative burdens on the Centre’s chief and partner investigators. They will also play a significant role in defining and engendering a culture of Centre collaboration across multiple organisations.

A key focus of the role is fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture across the Centre's multi-institutional network. The COO provides leadership to the Centre's professional and administrative staff, ensuring the delivery of high-quality services and operational excellence. The role also establishes and maintains productive relationships with stakeholders across academia, government, industry, and the broader community, both nationally and internationally, to maximise research impact, strengthen partnerships, and identify opportunities for future investment and co-funding.

About the role

• TRP LEVEL 10 - plus 17% Superannuation and annual leave loading
• Fixed Term – 3 years (extension is possible at end of initial term)
• Full-time (35 hours per week)

Specific responsibilities for this role include:

• In partnership with the Centre Director and Centre Executive, lead the development and implementation of the Centre’s strategic and operational plans.
• Oversee all Centre operation including financial planning, infrastructure, budget, resources, regulatory compliance and contractual obligations with participating and partner organisations and funding agencies.
• Exercise strong financial oversight for delivering within budget targets. Working with a Finance Manager, the COO coordinates with partners on financial reporting, audits to perform financial planning, budgeting and analysis for the Centre.
• Provide strategic advice and oversee the preparation of a range of research documents such as progress reports, financial reports, research impact reports, grant applications, and other documentation in consultation with the Centre Director, Centre Executive, and research and implementation teams.
• Lead, coach and develop a high-performing and effective Centre operations team with a focus on operational and service excellence. This includes supporting and monitoring career plans for the team and ensuring a work environment of continuous review and improvement of business practices, operational processes and service provision.
• In collaboration with the Director, develop evaluation frameworks and systems to track, analyse and evaluate the effectiveness of the Centre’s activities and enhance reporting capabilities.
• Lead and manage significant strategic projects and initiatives and the review and development of policies, procedures and complex compliance and quality processes.
• Manage and oversee risk, compliance and quality assurance processes for the functions managed, including regular monitoring and reporting in accordance with ARC, University and legislative requirements.
• Drive compliance with ARC and other regulatory bodies and monitor adherence to University policies, procedures and protocols relevant to the research being conducted.
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with participating universities, government agencies, industry partners and other stakeholders to maximise Centre outcomes and impact.
• Perform other duties consistent with the classification of the role as directed.
• Align with and actively demonstrate the Code of Conduct and Values.
• Cooperate with all health and safety policies and procedures of the university and take all reasonable care to ensure that your actions or omissions do not impact on the psychosocial or physical health and safety of yourself or others.
• Ensure psychosocial and physical hazards and risks are identified and controlled for tasks, projects, and activities that pose a health and safety risk within your area of responsibility.

About the successful applicant
(Selection Criteria)

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Extensive experience in a tertiary research environment with a strong understanding of the operational, governance and business contexts in which national research entities operate.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement, communication and influencing skills, with a demonstrated ability to build effective partnerships and collaborations across academia, government, industry, funding agencies and partner organisations.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collegiately with senior academic leaders, industry stakeholders and professional service functions including finance, research administration, legal and contracts teams, to achieve complex organisational outcomes.
• Exceptional program and project management experience including the ability to lead teams, scope, plan and manage complex projects using contemporary management methodologies in a large, complex and dynamic organisation.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing distributed, multi-institutional operations teams, including workforce planning, coaching, mentoring and performance management.
• Outstanding conceptual, analytical and evaluation skills, including the demonstrated ability to devise innovative solutions to complex strategic challenges and organisational issues.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, business management, resource allocation and financial oversight, including developing and implementing effective procedures and communications platforms across a multi-site team.
• Demonstrated experience supporting governance, risk and compliance frameworks within a complex research or higher education environment.
• Demonstrated understanding of the Australian research funding landscape, including ARC funding and reporting requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to lead by example and foster a collaborative, inclusive and values-led culture.
• An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
• Knowledge of health & safety (psychosocial and physical) responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.

You should systematically address the selection criteria listed above in your application.

Please apply online - applications will not be accepted if sent to the contact listed.

Contact:
Matthew England
E: m.england@unsw.edu.au

Applications close: September 9^th, 2026

Find out more about working at UNSW at www.unsw.edu.au

UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff. The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.