Centre Manager, Child and Adolescent Health

• Full-time, Continuing opportunity, based at Westmead Hospital Block K
• Play a pivotal leadership role in leading a flagship research Centre within the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney
• Base Salary $146,197 - $154,260 + 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

The University of Sydney has an exciting opportunity for a Centre Manager role in the Centre for Child and Adolescent Health Research (CCAHR) space within the Faculty of Medicine and Health. We are seeking an experienced Centre Manager to play a pivotal role in bringing the Centre’s vision to life. Based at the Westmead precinct and supporting researchers across all University campuses, the Centre will serve as a collaborative hub that connects researchers, health services, government and industry partners to drive transformative research outcomes in child and adolescent health across Sydney and beyond.

Working closely with the Centre Director and supported by the Faculty of Medicine and Health Research Centres Support team, you will provide operational leadership to progress the Centre’s strategy. This will include, and not be limited to, establishing systems and processes that support the development and funding of highly productive research programs; actively engaging and maintaining key stakeholder relationships to support the delivery of strategic initiatives; and providing operational leadership to the centre, ensuring effective administration, governance, compliance, and financial management.

You will have the opportunity to act as a key partner to research leaders across the University, fostering strong internal and external relationships and supporting the co-development and implementation of strategies across the Centre’s research and underpinning themes, including consumer engagement, partnership advancement and clinical–researcher collaboration. With a strong focus on engagement and impact, you will also work closely with faculty and central teams to deliver effective marketing and communication initiatives that showcase the Centre’s work.

Reporting to the Head of Centres and Institutes, Operations, Greta Ridley, and working in partnership with the Centre Director, you will have the autonomy to translate strategic priorities into day-to-day operational activities. This is a unique opportunity to apply your judgement, business acumen and problem-solving expertise in a complex environment, shaping a new Centre with significant potential to improve health outcomes for children and adolescents.

This is a continuing position. Ongoing employment is contingent upon the continuation of external funding.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• Drive the implementation of the Centre’s strategic objectives by supporting the Centre Director and Core Leadership Team, ensuring alignment with the Centre’s strategic, financial and scientific priorities.
• Build and sustain strong relationships across the University and with external stakeholders to enable collaboration, influence outcomes and support delivery of the Centre’s research strategy.
• Provide comprehensive operational leadership for the Centre, ensuring effective governance, compliance, risk management, administrative support services and delivery of events, communications and digital presence.
• Partner with professional service units, including Finance, HR, IT and Marketing to operationalise strategic priorities and embed best-practice systems and processes.
• Oversee the Centre’s financial management in collaboration with the faculty Finance Team, including budget preparation, financial reporting, audits and compliance with University policies.
• Lead and contribute to project management activities and ad-hoc initiatives, ensuring high-quality outcomes are delivered within agreed timeframes and budgets.

About you

• Postgraduate qualifications in a relevant field with an equivalent combination of relevant training and experience.
• Highly developed negotiation, conflict resolution and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence effectively while exercising tact, diplomacy, discretion and maintaining confidentiality.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with proven experience managing a diverse range of enquiries and delivering a high standard of stakeholder and customer service.
• Demonstrated experience delivering strategic and operational management in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment, ideally within higher education or a similarly multi-faceted organisation.
• Strong financial management capability, including budget development, monitoring income and expenditure, and ensuring sound financial governance.
• Advanced organisational and administrative expertise, including establishing, monitoring and reviewing administrative procedures, managing competing priorities, and using MS Office tools and diary management systems effectively.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to be eligible to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

This position is designated as involving child-related work. To undertake or remain in this position, you are required to apply for and obtain a Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTQIA+. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. 

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Platinum Employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion. 

How to apply

Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page. 

For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard. Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.

For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or any documents in alternate formats, please contact Roshik Prasad, Recruitment Operations by email to roshik.prasad@sydney.edu.au

© The University of Sydney

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.

Click to view the Position Description for this role.

Applications Close

Wednesday 25 February 2026 11:59 PM