Executive Director, Research Partnerships in Melbourne

The National Health and Medical Research Council is seeking a high performing and strategic executive leader to join our Executive Leadership Team as Executive Director, Research Partnerships Branch. This Executive Director/SES Band 1 opportunity offers the chance to shape strategic policy and research initiatives, lead the delivery of nationally significant programs, and build collaborative partnerships that strengthen Australia's health and medical research ecosystem through collaboration and partnerships.

As a member of NHMRC's Executive Leadership Team, you will provide strategic direction, lead high-performing teams, and contribute to the achievement of NHMRC's organisational priorities and objectives. The ideal candidate will need to think strategically to deliver high-quality strategic policy insights and options that are practical and implementable, have strong business acumen, be resilient, and be forward-looking with strong personal drive and integrity. You will have demonstrated excellent judgement in complex and sensitive environments, balancing risk and opportunities.

In this senior leadership role, you will cultivate trusted partnerships across government, engage effectively with the community, researchers and research organisations. You will be a values-based leader who inspires, empowers, and drives positive change. You will lead and build high-performing teams that can develop and implement innovative strategies and approaches.

NHMRC is an inclusive and diverse employer that supports gender equity and diversity in leadership. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including people with disability, First Nations peoples, LGBTIQA+ people, mature age people and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

About the Branch: The Research Partnerships Branch is responsible for driving the translation of evidence into health policy and clinical practice through partnerships and strategic engagement. We manage grant schemes focused on translating research into policy and practice through the Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies, Targeted Calls for Research, Partnership Projects and Centres of Research Excellence grant schemes. We implement priority-driven health and medical research initiatives and bilateral and multilateral funding opportunities with international funders and manage grant opportunities for the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) working closely with the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. The Branch is also responsible for NHMRC’s International Engagement Strategy, Research Translation Strategy, our health priorities, consumer and community involvement and manage a range of advisory committees.

Key responsibilities: As the Executive Director, Research Partnerships, your duties will include but are not limited to:

• Providing strategic leadership for the Research Partnerships Branch.
• Leading implementation of NHMRC's research translation and partnership strategies.
• Delivering high-quality strategic and policy advice to the CEO and Executive.
• Building and maintaining effective partnerships with government, researchers, research institutions and community stakeholders.
• Overseeing delivery of NHMRC and MRFF grant initiatives.
• Leading high-performing teams and fostering a positive, collaborative culture.

Core capabilities:

• Strategic insight and advice: the ability to provide well-informed, strategic advice to senior leaders and stakeholders, applying sound judgement and anticipating risks and opportunities in the research and policy environment.
• Delivering outcomes: the ability to translate strategy into action, drive implementation and ensure delivery of high-quality results aligned with organisational goals.
• Leadership and culture: demonstrated ability to lead by example to foster a positive, high-performing culture, build capability, encourage innovation and drive continuous improvement.
• Stakeholder engagement: strong capability to build trusted relationships, manage complex interactions, and influence outcomes through collaboration and effective communication across sectors.
• Leading change: the ability to navigate complexity and lead teams through change with resilience, clarity and a focus on strategic priorities.

Highly desirable: The following would be an advantage:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in public policy, health, science or a related field.

Mandatory requirement: This position requires, as a condition of employment, the successful candidate to possess or be willing to obtain and maintain a Negative Vetting 1 security clearance.

Eligibility: To be eligible for a position at NHMRC, you must be an Australian citizen and be able to provide evidence of this. If successful, you will be required to undertake a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.

Anticipated selection timeline:

• Applications close 15 November 2026
• Shortlist applications 27 November 2026
• Interviews in Canberra 8 December 2026
• Offer and announcements 21 December 2026

Please note shortlisted candidates will be required to attend an interview in person at NHMRC’s Canberra Office.

Further information: For further information refer to the Candidate Handbook or contact Nick Johnson, Acting Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer.