Description:
Our Opportunity for you
Join one of Australia’s largest medical research institutes dedicated to identifying and tackling the biggest health challenges faced by kids. As Director, Partnerships and Engagement you will have a critical role in driving and influencing research translation, policy, advocacy and partnerships to deliver real impact to improve kids’ lives.
It’s an exciting time at The Kids Research Institute Australia. We have recently launched our 2025-2035 strategic plan, Research Reimagined, which sets out a bold vision to identify the major scientific advances that will solve the biggest problems for kids and families. It recognises that to achieve this goal we must work in hand-in-hand with our partners in community, government, industry, service providers and philanthropy.
Reporting to the Executive Director, this role will be part of the core team delivering The Kids strategic plan. Working closely with others in the Executive Team as well as the Board, the position plays a critical role in developing and executing strategies to increase the organisation's reach, impact, and funding.
You will influence how we connect with partners and community, communicate effectively, build our brand and reputation, secure philanthropic funding and effectively oversee the translation of our research impact. At the same time, you will be responsible for managing how we communicate and connect with each other within the Institute.
As a senior executive, the role provides leadership across the Institute and externally to ensure we are communicating and building relationships internally among research and professional teams and externally with collaborators, donors, corporate partners, academia, governments and most importantly our community, including First Nations communities and partners, to ensure the work of our researchers and the Institute is known and supported.
Our research spans many of the critical health issues facing children and families today, from severe diseases like cancer and diabetes to disability, mental health, infectious diseases, precision health and much more. Overarching all of our work is a focus on equity, in particular our commitment to First Nations child health.
Our environment is fast-paced, and we look to our Director, Partnerships and Engagement and teams to deliver high level services with a strong focus on pragmatic, commercially relevant solutions that add real value in achieving our strategic objectives.
Of particular importance to the Director, Partnerships and Engagement portfolio are:
- Balancing risk and innovation, anticipating future needs and opportunities while ensuring the Institute’s sustainability.
- Creating a constructive culture supporting growth and cross functional collaboration to deliver on our strategy.
- Leading the nurturing, strengthening, and expanding of The Kids Research Institute Australia’s partnerships, engagement, and fundraising activities.
- Developing a strategy for increased engagement with key partners to enhance the Institute’s influence on policy and practice including through advocacy as well as knowledge translation.
- Developing and driving the Institute’s marketing and communications strategies, ensuring that the Institute’s strategic priorities are fully supported.
About You
We are looking for a self-motivated and experienced senior executive who thrives in a dynamic environment and who will oversee programs of change management across the organisation. The key to your success will be your demonstrated experience in the following:
- Demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit to actively seek and deepen external organisational relationships and to forge new alliances and relationships.
- Proven senior level experience in working with partnerships in the not-for-profit sector.
- Significant experience with and understanding of the donor landscape for medical research funding.
- Demonstrated experience as an effective business partner, having the necessary leadership and communication skills to give advice on brand, marketing and stakeholder engagement to the Executive.
- Experienced in leading leaders and change management.
- Strong communication skills with experience in managing internal and external communications strategies, including engaging with media.
About Us
Our aim is to create a workplace where people are respected and encouraged to fulfil their potential. We encourage a workforce that is innovative, eager to acquire knowledge and enhance skills; we embrace employee differences and foster a culture that supports diversity and inclusion.
Culture and benefits include:
- Work life balance through flexible work options.
- Additional annual leave over Christmas and Easter.
- Save on tax and increase your take home pay by salary packaging up to $15,899 of Living Expenses and up to $2,650 on Entertainment Benefits each FBT year.
- Extensive health and wellbeing program.
- Modern offices and end of trip facilities, including sit to stand desks.
- Access to Corporate Health Insurance.
How to apply
If you think that this is the right role and an exciting new challenge for you, please click on 'Apply Now' to navigate to our Career Site to view the Job Description and submit your application.
Your cover letter (no more than 2 pages) should specifically address your skills and experience outlined in the “About You” section above highlighting your relevant skills and experience. You do not need to respond to the role requirements individually, but they should be broadly touched on in your response. Please be sure to include your resume/CV.
Applications can only be accepted through our career portal. If you are experiencing technical difficulties with our online portal, please direct your query to ***********@thekids.org.au
If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, please direct your inquiries to ***********@thekids.org.au.
Contact Name: Mitch Hartman or Angela Edwards
Contact Email: *************@thekids.org.au or **************@thekids.org.au
Closing Date: 04/04/2025 - We reserve the right to hire prior to the closing date.