Senior Manager, Pre Award

Job Title

Job Description

An exciting opportunity is available for a Senior Manager, Pre Award to join the Grants and Major Bids Department at Australia’s pre-eminent biomedical research institute.

About the Position

The Senior Manager, Pre Award plays a critical role within the Grants and Major Bids team. Reporting to the Head, Grants and Major Bids this role is responsible for translating the Institute's objectives into a funding strategy that responds to the local and global funding landscape. This role will lead the Grants and Major Bids department's research and funding development initiatives, which support the competitive positioning of individual researchers all the way to multi-institutional programs, to increase WEHI's success in a competitive funding environment.

Through their leadership of a high performing team, the Senior Manager is responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of policies, internal guidance, resources, tools and systems that maximise the ability of researchers to achieve their funding goals and support WEHI's ambitions. The Senior Manager, will ensure that these enabling resources support researchers in ways consistent with our tiered service model, which includes knowledge enabling self-service, standardised services and specialist support.

Selection Criteria

Essential Knowledge and Skills:

• Postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience

• Considerable experience in leading a team to develop strategic funding pathways and plans, and delivering for an organisation

• Demonstrated experience in research development, including teaming and concept formation, assessments of research maturity, pitch coaching and theory of change models.

• Strong knowledge of funding rules, compliance, and regulatory frameworks

• Experience advising on legal and commercial aspects of research funding

• Understanding of national and international funding environments

Personal Qualities:

• Strategic thinker with the ability to identify trends and adapt to achieve in a complex changing environment

• Advanced communication and stakeholder engagement skills

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capability

• Ability to manage complexity, risk, and competing priorities

• Ability to build credibility and work in partnerships to deliver results

​​​​​​​Terms of Appointment

This position is ongoing in a full time capacity. Salary is Professional Services Employee Level 9 ($141,910 - $153,610). Very attractive salary packaging options are available for general living expenses, meal entertainment, novated leasing and more. 12% superannuation payable, plus up to a further 5% after the first 6 months of service via our matching superannuation scheme.  

General enquiries can be directed to [email protected].

A position description is available here.

How to Apply

Please apply by uploading your CV, cover letter and a document addressing the key selection criteria in pdf format.

Application Closing Date:  The closing date for applications is Sunday 12 July 2026, however, we will be reviewing applications as they are received, and WEHI reserves the right to appoint a suitable candidate prior to the closing date. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to avoid missing this opportunity.