"Senior Awards Officer"

Job Description:

• Research Office
• Full-time, permanent position
• Base salary will be in the range $102,565 - $111,686 + 17% Superannuation (HEW Level 7)
• Based at our St. Lucia Campus

About This Opportunity

Are you ready to play a pivotal role in supporting the success of cutting-edge research at UQ? As a Senior Awards Officer, you will be at the heart of the University’s grant management, overseeing the full post-award lifecycle for prestigious research projects. This opportunity allows for you to work under broad direction, expertly navigating complex fundamental agreements, ensuring compliance with University and funding provider policies, and building valuable connections with stakeholders in both academic and funding communities. In this dynamic role, you’ll leverage your expertise to manage agreements and contracts, contribute innovative solutions to research funding challenges, and guide team members to deliver a high-quality, customer-focused service. Working collaboratively with a wide network across UQ, you’ll play a vital part in driving the University’s research initiatives forward, providing an essential bridge between researchers and their funding partners. If you are a skilled professional with a passion for research administration and a commitment to excellence in service delivery, join us in advancing the impact of UQ’s research on a global scale.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Oversee the entire post-award lifecycle for research grants, including the preparation, review and execution of grant agreements, ensuring all processes comply with UQ and funding provider policies and standards to support successful research outcomes.
• Act as a subject matter expert by offering timely, authoritative advice on research funding management, delivering high quality customer service to UQ researchers and funding partners, and proactively addressing their needs and resolving issues efficiently.
• Lead the establishment, negotiation, and coordination of contracts and agreements with competitive funding providers, ensuring these agreements align with UQ’s policies, risk appetite, and the specific requirements of partners and sponsors.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement by reviewing and refining business practices within the awards team, while providing guidance and mentorship to junior staff to foster a customer-centric approach and enhance team capabilities.

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world. Everyone here has a role to play. As a member of our professional staff cohort, you will be actively involved in working towards our vision of a better world. By supporting the academic endeavour across teaching, research, and the student life, you will have the opportunity to contribute to activities that have a lasting impact on our community. Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available, such as:

• Up to 26 weeks paid parental leave or 14 weeks paid primary caregiver leave
• 17% superannuation contributions
• 17.5% annual leave loading
• Access to flexible working arrangements including hybrid working options, flexible start/finish times, purchased leave, and a condensed fortnight
• Health and wellness discounts – fitness passport access, free yearly flu vaccinations, discounted health insurance, and access to our Employee Assistance Program for staff and their immediate family
• UQ Study for Staff
• On campus childcare options
• Affordable parking (from just $6.15 a day)
• Salary packaging options

About You

• Demonstrated experience in research funding management within a higher education or research-intensive environment, with proven ability to navigate complex contractual and compliance issues effectively.
• Strong knowledge of higher education policies and procedures related to research administration, with excellent analytical skills for interpreting and advising on funding rules, regulations, and best practices.
• Exceptional communication and negotiation skills, with a proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, exercising initiative, tact and discretion.
• Experience in leading and mentoring team members, fostering a collaborative and customer-focused environment that aligns with the University’s values and service standards.
• Advanced proficiency in business management software, with a track record of managing multiple projects autonomously, prioritising tasks effectively, and implementing process improvements to enhance service delivery.
• High level of problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify, analyse, and develop solutions for complex funding and project management challenges, ensuring efficient and compliant grant administration.

The successful candidate may be required to complete a number of pre-employment checks, including right to work in Australia and a criminal check. You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.

Questions?

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Lisa Bolton at l.bolton@uq.edu.au. For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at talent@uq.edu.au, stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line.

Want to Apply?

We welcome applications from all individuals and are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. To be considered, please ensure you upload: Resume, A cover letter summarising how your background aligns with the 'About You' section. Our strength as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We're committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent. If you require an alternative method to submit your application due to accessibility needs or personal circumstances, please contact talent@uq.edu.au.

Other Information

UQ is committed to a fair, equitable and inclusive selection process, which recognises that some applicants may face additional barriers and challenges which have impacted and/or continue to impact their career trajectory. Candidates who don’t meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their potential. The selection panel considers both potential and performance relative to opportunities when assessing suitability for the role. Applications close Friday 3 October 2025 at 11.00pm AEST (R-55530). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for the week of the 13th of October 2025.