"Research Project Manager"

Job Description:

Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rau | Auckland University of Technology (AUT)

"Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou ka ora ai te iwi"

"With your food basket and my food basket, the people will thrive"

Auckland University of Technology (AUT) AUT is proud to be one of the world's best modern universities. Here at AUT, we make a difference in the world by contributing to improving Aotearoa New Zealand through high-impact research and discovery.

We are a socially-driven university with equity and excellence central to our purpose and actions, and we offer a stimulating teaching and research environment with strong connections to government, business, and industry. AUT has more than 26,000 students and over 4,000 staff based primarily at our three Auckland teaching campuses.

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

The Faculty of Design and Creative Technologies (DCT) is one of AUT’s largest and most research-focused faculties. We are seeking a Research Project Manager (three-year fixed term) to provide specialist expertise and high-level project management support to academic staff across DCT. In this role, you will help drive the faculty’s research ambitions by strengthening research performance, enhancing outcomes, and ensuring effective management of externally funded research projects.

You will also play a key role in supporting the Associate Dean of Research, the Faculty Research Office, and the DCT Head of Finance. This includes guiding staff through research processes and systems to ensure the smooth, efficient, and effective operation of the Faculty Research Office.

Ngā haepapa matua | Key Responsibilities

Included in the duties will be:

• Providing project coordination/management, direction, and leadership from conception to completion of projects
• Leading the development, effective implementation, and monitoring of integrated and robust research quality processes and systems.
• Leading/navigating initial external research project set-up, and any on-going tasks (e.g., Scholarships, recruitment, travel, policies/procedures etc.)
• Taking the lead in liaising with the DCT Finance Manager to ensure timely and desired financial outcomes across externally funded Faculty projects
• Ensuring that project budgets are accurate and aligned with expectations
• Training PIs on managing their external projects (both financial and from a project management perspective)
• Leading the regular monitoring of project financial reports to track actual vs budget variances

Ko wai koe | About you

You are an experienced project manager with a strong record of leading complex initiatives and delivering successful outcomes. You excel in dynamic environments, combining strategic insight with practical execution. With excellent cultural competence, strong negotiation skills, and the ability to build trusted relationships, you are driven by achieving results that benefit researchers, partners, and the wider university community.

The ideal candidate will:

• 10+ years of experience in research management strategy, project leadership, funding acquisition, financial oversight, reporting, and stakeholder engagement.
• Proficiency with project management tools such as MS Project, Monday.com, and/or Trello.
• Strong financial acumen and confidence in managing budgets and reporting.
• Experience in research management and administration, or similar application and compliance processes.

Ngā Huanga | Benefits

• Professional development
• Generous leave allowances
• Flexible and hybrid working options

At AUT, we offer a genuine work-life balance with flexible working arrangements. Free gym membership. Continuous professional development and career growth opportunities. If you're ready to take on a role in a strategic cloud environment and contribute to a university making a real impact, we’d love to hear from you.

Reference: 93938

Closing date: 8 December 2025, 11:55 pm

*Full-time denotes 37.5 hours per week

Posted: 21/11/2025