Director, Research Ethics and Compliance Support

• Employment Type: Full time
• Duration: Continuing position
• Location: Kensington, NSW (Hybrid/Flexible Working)

Why your role matters

• Shape the strategic direction of research ethics, integrity and compliance across a leading research-intensive university, ensuring governance frameworks enable world-class research while maintaining the highest ethical and regulatory standards.
• Lead and inspire a highly specialised team, fostering a culture of collaboration, service excellence, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Partner with researchers, senior leaders, governance committees and regulatory bodies to achieve outcomes that support research excellence and strengthen public trust in research

Shape the future of responsible research at UNSW

Research excellence depends on governance that is rigorous, trusted and enabling. As Director, Research Ethics and Compliance, you will provide strategic leadership for UNSW's research ethics and compliance framework, ensuring the University's world-class research is supported by best-practice governance and regulatory oversight.

Reporting to the Pro Vice-Chancellor Research, you will lead the Research Ethics and Compliance Support function and drive the strategic direction of research ethics and compliance across a complex and research-intensive environment. You will influence institutional policy, provide authoritative advice on complex ethical and regulatory matters, and help shape a culture that balances innovation, research excellence and public trust.

Overseeing a broad portfolio that includes Animal Care and Ethics, Human Research Ethics, Biosafety and Radiation Safety Governance, clinical trials governance, defence trade controls and other research-related compliance activities, you will work closely with senior leaders, committee chairs, researchers, administrators and regulatory agencies to manage risk, strengthen governance frameworks and support responsible research practices across the University.

As a key member of the Division of Research and Enterprise leadership team, you will lead the Research Ethics and Compliance Support unit, with responsibility for its strategic planning, operational performance, financial management and people leadership. Through your expertise and influence, you will help ensure UNSW remains at the forefront of ethical, impactful and globally respected research. 

About UNSW

UNSW isn’t like other places you’ve worked. We are a large organisation with a diverse and highly talented community doing extraordinary work. We are driven to be thoughtful, practical and purposeful in all we do, and this collective approach is what gives our work impact. It is also why UNSW is consistently ranked among the world’s top 20 universities in the QS World University Rankings and is a proud member of Australia’s prestigious Group of Eight. If you’re seeking a career where you can thrive, be challenged and contribute to meaningful work, you’re in the right place. 

Benefits and Culture:

People are at the core of everything we do. We recognise it is the contributions of our staff who make UNSW one of the best universities in Australia and the world. Our benefits include: 

• Hybrid/flexible working arrangements and are committed to supporting work-life balance while delivering meaningful outcomes.
• 17% superannuation contributions, annual leave-loading payments and salary sacrifice option
• Discounts and entitlements (retail, education, fitness passport)
• Affordable on-campus parking

About you:

You will bring a relevant tertiary qualification with substantial relevant experience, or an equivalent level of competence gained through education, training and experience. You can also demonstrate:

• Strategic thinking, strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to navigate complex regulatory environments with confidence and sound judgement.
• Significant senior leadership experience across research ethics, research governance, compliance, clinical trials, biosafety, radiation safety, research security or the broader higher education research environment.
• A demonstrated ability to shape strategy, lead organisational change and influence decision-making at executive and governance levels.
• Deep knowledge of the legislative, regulatory and policy frameworks underpinning research ethics and compliance.
• Strong commercial and operational acumen, including experience managing budgets, resources, systems and organisational performance.
• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to provide trusted advice, engage diverse stakeholders and communicate complex issues with clarity and influence.
• The judgement, integrity and professionalism to manage sensitive matters, balance risk and opportunity, and foster a culture of ethical and responsible research.
• A commitment to service excellence, continuous improvement and supporting researchers across a diverse and dynamic research environment.
• Senior-level experience in at least two of the following areas: research ethics, clinical trials governance, biosafety, radiation safety, research security and compliance, or the higher education research environment.
• A strong understanding of legislation, codes, guidelines and rules relating to research ethics and safety committees and the governance of clinical trials.
• Excellent leadership capability, including experience initiating and leading change, influencing outcomes and applying best-practice quality assurance principles.
• Sound knowledge of research risk assessment in a complex environment, with the judgement, tact and discretion to navigate sensitive ethical issues, confidential matters and complaints.
• A strong service orientation and the ability to provide accurate, timely and trusted advice to applicants, committee members and senior management.
• Excellent business planning, resource management, reporting and financial management skills, including experience developing and managing budgets and resources.
• Demonstrated ability to drive continuous improvement in enterprise systems used for application processing, data management and records management.
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing executive-level reports, communicating complex issues to diverse audiences and delivering professional development or training.
• Sensitivity to the different research cultures across academic disciplines and a commitment to UNSW’s values, policies and health and safety responsibilities.

How to apply: Please submit your CV and a Cover Letter outlining your interest in the role and how your skills and experience align with the position requirements before 11.55pm Wednesday 9^th September 2026. A copy of the Position Description is available via Jobs@UNSW. 

Pre Employment Checks

As part of our recruitment process candidates may be required to undergo pre-employment screening, which may include reference checks, qualification verification, right-to-work verification, and criminal history screening where relevant to the role.

Contact: Shiree Thomas – Talent Acquisition Partner: shiree.thomas@unsw.edu.au

Please note applications sent directly to the contact person will not be accepted

NSW 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.