Jobs and Careers

• Provide strong and effective management of the Centre’s administrative operations
• Provide expert advice to the Centre’s Director and research leaders on all Centre administrative operations
• Full time, fixed term role until 2029, based in either Hobart (Sandy Bay) or Launceston (Newnham)

About the opportunity

The Manager will provide vital support for the successful operations and delivery of the Australian Forest and Wood Innovations Centre for Sustainable Resource and Product Solutions (the Centre).  The Centre operates on a $25 million budget with over 40 collaborating organisations across Australia and is one of three connected and equally resourced research centres in the AFWI ecosystem.  The Centre Manager will work with a high degree of autonomy with only general direction from the Centre’s Director and will provide high level management and administration of the Centre’s operations. The activities of the Centre will directly support the strategic goals of the University and AFWI.

The position will be responsible for managing the Centre’s requirements for financial management, reporting, coordinating contracting services, managing meetings and committees, assisting with official communications and general office and stakeholder management. The position will work with internal University business and academic units, AFWI Headquarters on the University’s Newnham campus and external partners and collaborators of the Centre across Australia.

Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI) is a collaboration between the Australian Government and the University, for advancing research and innovation in forestry and wood products. As one of three AFWI research centres, the Centre teams up with universities and other institutions across Australia, delivering industry focussed collaborative research and innovation.

What you’ll do:

• Provide strong and effective management of the Centre’s administrative operations by driving initiatives, managing cross-functional processes, and ensuring seamless communication and coordination across the centre’s activities with the Centre’s internal and external stakeholders.
• With a high degree of autonomy, manage finances, contracting, governance and controls, compliance, risk, audit, IP, IT and reporting requirements for the Centre by leveraging support from the relevant university business units.
• Provide expert advice to the Centre’s Director and research leaders on all Centre administrative operations including advice on complex cross-functional issues (such as contracting and finance) which impact on the successful delivery of the Centre’s strategic and operational priorities.
• Manage the internal and external communications and stakeholder management within the Centres broad research portfolio in close collaboration with AFWI headquarters and internal UTAS communications units.
• Work collaboratively with the AFWI headquarters team, leadership teams of the other two AFWI research centres, the Centre’s Management and Steering Committees, and the Centres research leaders in support of the Centre’s operations.

What we’re looking for:

• Relevant tertiary or industry qualifications in business or administrative management with at least five-years post graduate experience or an equivalent level of relevant training, professional competence and experience in a complex institutional environment.
• Demonstrated experience in successfully managing large operational budgets and navigating complex reporting requirements to produce financial and operational reports necessary to satisfy milestones and deliverables under contractual obligations.
• Demonstrated ability to apply well-rounded strategic, agile and critical thinking skills consistently and proactively and an ability to exercise sound judgement, navigate complex settings, negotiate, manage conflict, and operate with autonomy to achieve agreed outcomes.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a demonstrated ability to devise and implement creative and effective solutions and plans for a range of situations and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated strong computational skills and experience using a range of contemporary office systems and applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, plus electronic systems for diary management, database management, client relationship management, and internet research and social media.

Salary details

Appointment to this role will be at HEO 9 and will have a total remuneration package of up to $160,613 comprising base salary within the range of $130,242 to $137,276 plus 17% superannuation.

How to Apply

• This vacancy is being advertised internally only in the first instance to current staff.
• In submitting your application, you acknowledge you have/intend to discuss your interest in this vacancy with your current manager and understand they may need to be contacted confidentially by the hiring manager as part of the assessment of your application.
• To apply online, please provide your CV and 1-2-page cover letter outlining your interest in the role, skills, capabilities and experience.  You do not need to separately address the success criteria.
• For further information about this position, please contact Dean Williams, Director - Australian Forest and Wood Innovations Research Centre, dean.williams@utas.edu.au or 03 6226 6606.
• Please visit https://www.utas.edu.au/jobs/applying for our guide to applying and details on the recruitment process.
• Please refer to the attached Position Description Below for full details.

 Position Description - 501314 -Manager, AFWI Centre for Sustainable Resource and Product Solutions.pdf

Applications close Tuesday, 12 August 2025, 11.55pm

As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive workplace, employment history and police checks may be conducted as part of the selection process.

To be eligible for this position, you are required to hold Australian or New Zealand Citizenship, permanent residency or a valid visa that enables you to fulfil the requirements of this role.