Director, Institute Operations - Sustainable Minerals Institute

• Sustainable Minerals Institute - SMI

• Full-time fixed-term position for up to 5 years

• Based at our picturesque St Lucia Campus

The Director, Institute Operations plays a pivotal role in shaping the success of the Sustainable Minerals Institute by translating strategy into action and ensuring the Institute operates with clarity, rigour and purpose. You will partner closely with the Institute Director and Senior Leadership Team to execute strategic priorities, ensure operational excellence, and enable high-impact research outcomes across a globally connected institute.

SMI operates in a highly externally engaged environment, with extensive industry partnerships and complex research activity spanning multiple locations across Australia and internationally. Leading a diverse portfolio of professional services, including business management, finance, marketing and communications, safety, and administration, you will play a central role in connecting people, processes and priorities to ensure the Institute operates effectively and cohesively. This is a unique opportunity to play a central role in shaping and supporting a high-performing research institute.

For more information about this opportunity, please click here to view the complete appointment booklet

As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world.

Everyone here has a role to play. As a member of our professional staff cohort, you will be actively involved in working towards our vision of a better world. By supporting the academic endeavour across teaching, research, and the student life, you will have the opportunity to contribute to activities that have a lasting impact on our community.

Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available.

You are an accomplished operational leader with extensive experience in complex organisations, ideally within the university or research sector. You bring a strong understanding of how academic environments function, including governance, finance, and research ecosystems, and are confident navigating federated structures with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities. You have a proven track record leading large, multi-functional teams and managing substantial budgets, resources, and governance frameworks, including supporting externally focused research activity, industry partnerships, and contract-heavy portfolios.

With a calm and considered leadership style, you are adept at influencing diverse stakeholders and driving outcomes across multiple priorities. You combine strategic insight with practical execution, communicate with clarity and empathy, and take a pragmatic, solutions-focused approach to delivery. You contribute to an inclusive, collaborative culture where people feel supported to do their best work.

For any application enquiries, please reach out to Maddy Flaherty, Principal Advisor, Talent Acquisition via [email protected].

We welcome applications from all individuals and are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. To be considered, please ensure you upload:

• Resume

• Cover letter summarising how your background aligns to the 'About You' section outlined in the appointment booklet

Our strength as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We're committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent, particularly from Australia's First Nations Peoples. If you require an alternative method to submit your application due to accessibility needs or personal circumstances, please contact [email protected].

Appointment to this role is subject to the successful completion of relevant pre-employment checks, which may include verification of the right to work in Australia, qualifications and criminal history checks. This may also include checks relating to gender-based violence matters or other integrity and conduct requirements.

You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.

UQ is committed to a fair, equitable and inclusive selection process, which recognises that some applicants may face additional barriers and challenges which have impacted and/or continue to impact their career trajectory. Candidates who don't meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their potential. The selection panel considers both potential and performance relative to opportunities when assessing suitability for the role.

Applications close on Sunday 26th April 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-63279).