Academic Group Manager

Every institution values excellence. What matters most is why.
Griffith was created to be a different type of university. As Academic Group Manager, you’ll find we’re about leading research, academic excellence, and the transformative power of education. But what sets us apart is why those things matter and how you’ll achieve them.

Why? Griffith brings together exceptional minds like yours from across the globe and from all walks of life. Here, we do incredible work, questioning and challenging, always in the pursuit of excellence.

As a leading knowledge-based institution throughout the Asia–Pacific, the Griffith Sciences Group takes pride in its ongoing global contributions to the higher education sector. Such wide-ranging and purposeful exposure ensures an inherent capability to not only influence young minds, but to also guide, instruct and assist public and private enterprise, the environment, related economies and society in general. Learning and teaching remains consistent with our research achievements, where students within our Schools have unfettered access to industry-leading researchers and teaching staff.

The Academic Group Manager provides strategic and operational management and leadership of the administrative and technical support functions within the Science Group.

This role serves as a key advisor and operational manager to the Pro Vice Chancellor and the Sciences Executive, contributing to strategic planning, resource allocation, and operational excellence.

As Academic Group Manager, you’ll take on complex local and global challenges, using your skills and experience to drive meaningful change. Here’s how you’ll make it matter:

• Oversee the delivery of all administrative and technical support services, optimising workflows, prioritising resources, and proactively solving operational challenges within the Group
• Collaborate with senior leadership to formulate and execute strategies that align with the University’s overarching strategic direction, establishing long-term goals, defining key performance indicators, and monitoring progress.
• Provide leadership and strategic direction to the Group’s Professional staff teams, empowering them to achieve operational excellence and contribute to the Group’s success.
• Leading occupational health and safety, financial management and modelling processes, workforce planning, infrastructure, strategic business planning, governance, occupational health and safety, and overseeing research and student administration in collaboration with the relevant central team.

About you
What matters most is your drive to create a brighter future that benefits all. Through our core principles of excellence, ethics and engagement, you’ll thrive on seeing the direct and lasting impact you’ll have on every community and every future.

You will also have:

• Relevant postgraduate qualifications and extensive experience in senior management roles within a complex organisation, preferably in a university or related sector or, a comparable combination of qualifications and demonstrated senior leadership management experience preferably within a university environment.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management experience for driving operational success and managing people.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking and financial acumen for developing long-term goals, managing budgets, and aligning operations with university-wide objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to problem-solve and optimise processes to enhance efficiency and drive continuous improvement.
• Experience collaborating across various departments and stakeholders to ensure alignment with broader objectives.
• Demonstrated commitment to compliance and risk management to ensure adherence to regulations and university policies.

What we can offer
This is a fixed term (3 year), full time position primarily based at Griffith University Brisbane South (Nathan). As Griffith is a multi-site University you may be required to work across other locations.

Griffith University’s sites are located on the lands of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera, Turrbal, Yugambeh and Kombumerri peoples.

Salary Range
The full time equivalent base salary will be in range $149,321 - $165,914 per annum + 17% superannuation. The total FTE package will be in the range $174,706 - $194,119 per annum.

Why join Griffith?
As a values-led organisation, at Griffith University, we've worked hard to create a dynamic and strong organisational culture. We offer:

• Mix of on campus and work from home options available and a supportive work environment
• Salary packaging options and corporate health discounts
• Generous leave entitlements including paid parental leave and leave loading
• Health Safety and Wellbeing initiatives – on campus Gym facilities

Griffith's strategic goals are to also increase the proportion of women in senior academic and administrative roles and in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM).

How to apply
At Griffith, we’re committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all - whoever you are and wherever you’re from. If you require any accommodations, we welcome you to let us know so we can work with you to participate fully in our recruitment experience.

Griffith University values diversity, inclusion and flexibility and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply. For more information please visit our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion page. Griffith University also maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy against all forms of modern slavery. For more information, please refer to Griffith’s Modern Slavery Policy.

Please submit your application online and ensure it includes the following:

• A covering letter outlining your suitability for the role (please refer to the About you section above and the position description)
• Current curriculum vitae/resume including full contact details

Applicants must have unrestricted working rights. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

For further information specifically about this role, please contact Professor Neal Menzies, Pro Vice Chancellor (Griffith Sciences) at [email protected].

For application and recruitment advice, please contact Ms Corinna Gartrell, Talent Acquisition Partner at [email protected].

For application support, please contact People Services on +61 7 373 54011 and quote reference number REF7479G.

Closing date: Tuesday 15 April 2025 at 11:59pm AEST. All applications must be submitted online.

Please allow at least 1 – 2 weeks from the closing date to expect an application update.