Research Development Manager in Sydney

Employment Type: Temporary Full Time until 30 November 2027

Position Classification: Health Mgr Lvl 3

Remuneration: 137525 - 156231 full-time equivalent base salary range (+12% super + 17.5% leave loading and salary packaging)

Hours Per Week: 38

Requisition ID: REQ700919

Location: Network

Applications Close: Midnight on 25 October 2026

For role related queries or questions contact Melissa Grand on mel.grand@health.nsw.gov.au

As the largest paediatric health service in Australia, we care for thousands of children each year, in hospital and at home. Our people are united by compassion, collaboration and excellence in care.

The Research Development Manager will lead strategic projects and initiatives that strengthen SCHN’s research capacity, support high-performing research, and advance its vision as a research-intensive organisation. The role focuses on enhancing research education, increasing participation in paediatric translational research and clinical trials, managing research-enabling grants, and fostering partnerships with government, universities, research institutes, and other stakeholders.

SCHN has experienced a period of significant growth of research activity across The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and the Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick. The Research Development Manager will play an essential role in developing and leading projects and initiatives with the aim of supporting SCHN's vision as a research intensive organisation.

The primary purpose of this position will be to work with the Research Executive to deliver on a number of key projects associated with enhancing SCHN's capacity to attract and deliver high-performing research and support the SCHN research community to undertake research projects that benefit the SCHN. These include initiatives to facilitate research activity through targeted education and training that enhance knowledge and expertise; increase participation in paediatric translational research; expand opportunities for investigator-initiated clinical trials, including support for the management of a growing number of research-enabling grants; and engagement from the NSW Government, Universities, Medical Research Institutes, partner organisations and other collaborators, towards enhancing the paediatric health and medical research landscape in NSW.

The primary purpose of this role is to contribute actively to the provision of high-quality research activities at the SCHN.

Additional Benefits:

• Flexible work opportunities
• Salary packaging and meal entertainment benefits
• Accrued days off (ADOs)
• Fitness passport
• Employee assistance program (EAP)

Qualifications and Experience:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications and/or equivalent work experience in a clinical research or healthcare delivery environment.
• Demonstrated strong leadership and project management experience, with a proven ability to deliver research projects on time, with desired outcomes and within defined timeframes and budget.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in clinical research development, methodology, ethics, governance and regulatory requirements, including grant development and review, research implementation, clinical research documentation, application of basic statistical principles, and research management systems such as clinical trial management systems (CTMS), REDCap, REGIS etc.
• Understanding of national and international trends and regulations in medical research and research funding and development opportunities, with a particular emphasis on the Australian research landscape.
• Proven ability to build and maintain mutually beneficial relationships and partnerships both internally and externally to SCHN in the clinical research, funding and innovation spheres.
• High level communication skills and demonstrated experience in providing written and verbal advice to a wide range of stakeholders and senior management and develop and deliver effective training and education programs that enhance research capability.
• Ability to work as an effective member of a multidisciplinary team and a willingness to work flexibly as directed to achieve urgent and changing priorities.
• Ability to develop a culture of quality and patient safety in clinical research.

Child Safe Standards:

SCHN is committed to maintaining a child-safe environment that respects and upholds the rights of children and young people, in line with NSW Health’s commitment to the Child Safe Standards. We aim to ensure that children and young people feel safe, supported, and included in their care. All current and prospective staff are expected to prioritise the safety, welfare, and well-being of children and young people, actively working to protect them from harm and abuse.

Additional Information:

SCHN is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity, recognising that a diverse workforce strengthens our culture and enhances the care we provide to children, young people and their families. Permanent NSW Health roles require Australian citizenship or permanent residency. Temporary visa holders may be considered where no suitable Australian citizen or permanent resident is identified. Where required, overseas qualifications must be formally assessed by the Department of Education or relevant authority for recognition in Australia. An Eligibility List may be created for future temporary full or part time vacancies. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply. We recognise the value of Aboriginal staff providing health care to Aboriginal children and families. For application support, visit the NSW Health Aboriginal Recruitment tool, Stepping Up to assist in preparing your application, or contact the SCHN’s Aboriginal Workforce Consultant at SCHN-EA-AboriginalHealthDirectorate@health.nsw.gov.au. For technical support please contact 1300 679 367. NSW Health acknowledges the people of the many traditional countries and language groups of New South Wales. It acknowledges the wisdom of Elders past and present, and pays respect to all Aboriginal communities of today.