Associate Director (Research Programs, Outcomes and Impact)

About This Opportunity

As Associate Director (Research Programs, Outcomes and Impact), you will play a pivotal leadership role within UQ’s Research Office, driving how the University designs and delivers large, interdisciplinary research programs that create real-world impact. Reporting to the Executive Director (Research Office), this role sits at the heart of UQ’s research ecosystem, working in close partnership with researchers, senior leaders and external stakeholders to advance research outcomes, impact and public good.

You will lead a high-performing professional services team and work across boundaries to catalyse collaboration, strengthen community partnerships and support mission-oriented, place-based and programmatic research initiatives. This is an opportunity for a strategic, inquisitive and collaborative leader to influence UQ’s research agenda at scale and work at the centre of a globally recognised research institution.

For more information about this opportunity, please view the Appointment Booklet at this link.

About You

You are an experienced research professional or higher education leader with a deep understanding of the national and international research environment. You bring a strong track record of enabling complex, interdisciplinary initiatives, building trusted relationships with diverse stakeholders and translating strategic intent into practical frameworks, programs and outcomes. Your approach is thoughtful, empathetic and outcome-focused, with the confidence to engage credibly with senior academics, executives and partners.

You will demonstrate excellent leadership capability, including the ability to guide and develop teams in high-demand environments, manage competing priorities and communicate complex ideas with clarity and influence. Your experience in developing large-scale proposals, business cases or submissions, alongside strong analytical and project management skills, will enable you to support researchers to articulate compelling societal purpose, impact pathways and aligned value propositions.