Chief Operations Officer (Ainsworth Endometriosis Research Institute)

Chief Operations Officer (Ainsworth Endometriosis Research Institute)

• Employment Type: Full - time (35 hours a week)
• Duration: 5-Year Fixed Term contract
• Remuneration: Senior professional position – offering a competitive total package
• Work rights: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Candidates must hold full rights to work in Australia to be considered for this position. 
• Location: Kensington, Sydney

The Ainsworth Endometriosis Research Institute

The Ainsworth Endometriosis Research Institute (AERI or the Institute) is a new major initiative supported by philanthropy, commencing in mid-2025. The Institute Chief Operating Officer plays a key role in the establishment and ongoing operations of AERI, a national network of endometriosis research, headquartered at UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney.

About this opportunity   

The role provides high level strategic and operational advice and support to the AERI senior leadership team on the achievement of operational and administrative objectives. The Chief Operating Officer will provide sound expert advice and input into the development of strategy, policy and planning to position AERI for success throughout all stages of its lifespan.

This position has oversight of AERI staffing, budgets, contracts, monitoring and reporting and other essential functions. The Chief Operating Officer plays an important role in nurturing a positive and inclusive culture of collaboration across a geographically dispersed institute and therefore will work closely with key staff across the institute, both nationally and internationally.

This position will initially report to the Clinical Director of AERI. Upon recruitment of the AERI chair, the director of operations will report directly to the chair. This position may have 10+ direct reports as well as oversight of the AERI staff, students, and contractors.

Key skills and experience required:

• PhD or relevant tertiary qualification and subsequent relevant experience or equivalent competence gained through any combination of education, training and organisational experience.
• Experience in working in women’s health, or health related organisation.
• Proven skills and experience in strategic, operational and resource planning, goal setting, contract management and project management at a national level.
• Demonstrated experience in financial planning and management and proven ability to interpret financial data to provide high quality advice and in preparation of detailed budgets for grant applications.
• Demonstrated experience and skill in database and biorepository establishment, management and analyses, critical to AERI
• Demonstrated experience liaising with stakeholders critical to AERI including government bodies and consumer organisations
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a high level of interpersonal skills to engage effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent consultation, influencing and negotiation skills and proven ability to deal with multiple tasks, establish priorities and meet deadlines.
• Excellent time management skills, with a demonstrated ability to respond to changing priorities, manage multiple tasks and meet competing deadlines by using judgement and initiative.

Full details can be found in the position description.

UNSW Benefits and Culture:

UNSW offer a competitive salary and access to a plethora of UNSW-perks including:

• Flexible working ​ 
• Additional 3 days of leave over the Christmas Period​ 
• Access to lifelong learning and career development ​ 
• Progressive HR practices​ 

More information on the great staff benefits and culture can be found here.  

How to apply:

Please click on Apply now to apply online. Applications should not be sent to the contact listed below. Please provide a resume and a separate cover letter addressing the key skills and experience for the role listed in the Position Description.

Pre-Employment Checks

Aligned with UNSW’s focus on cultivating a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct, and strong integrity preferred candidates will be required to participate in a combination of pre-employment checks relevant to the role they have applied for. These pre-employment checks may include a combination of some of the following checks:

• Confirmation of Aboriginality documentation
• National and International Criminal history checks
• Entitlement to work and ID checks
• Working With Children Checks
• Completion of a Gender-Based Violence Prevention Declaration
• Verification of relevant qualifications
• Verification of relevant professional membership
• Employment history and reference checks
• Financial responsibility assessments/checks
• Medical Checks and Assessments

Compliance with the necessary combination of these checks is a condition of employment at UNSW.

Enquiries:

Merita O'Connell, Talent Acquisition Partner

E:  merita.oconnell@unsw.edu.au    

Applications close: Monday 20^th April before 11.30pm Sydney time.

UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff. The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.