Research Portfolio Manager (PT – 2-3 days)

About the Opportunity

My client is a well-established, fast-growing Australian not-for-profit with one bold mission: to accelerate the cure for spinal cord injury. They fund and champion cutting-edge, outcomes-focused medical research across Australia, partnering with leading universities, institutes, and clinical teams. Thanks to major fundraising success and exciting scientific progress, my client is expanding their research portfolio - creating a unique opportunity for an experienced professional to step into a pivotal role shaping the next era of SCI research.

If you’re passionate about meaningful scientific impact, want to influence national research directions, and thrive in a small, high-performing team, this is an opportunity to genuinely move the needle.

Responsibilities

• Manage and uplift research portfolio governance and execution.
• Advise the CEO and Executive on SCI research developments and priorities.
• Work with the Scientific Advisory Panel to identify high-impact research and funding opportunities.
• Develop strong partnerships with researchers, universities, institutes, and government contacts.
• Oversee research contracts, funding agreements, budgets, milestones, and reporting.
• Coordinate the annual grants process.
• Plan and deliver research summits alongside the internal team.
• Interpret scientific updates and collaborate with Communications to repurpose for reports, newsletters, and donor updates.
• Prepare quarterly portfolio reports for the CEO.
• Contribute scientific input into education, lobbying, awareness, and grant applications.
• Support the development and execution of the new research strategy.
• Provide input to the emerging translation advisory committee.

About You

You will thrive in this role if you have:

• A strong scientific or medical research background (PhD highly regarded).
• Experience working in or alongside medical research, ideally including clinical trials.
• Excellent relationship-building skills and the ability to work confidently with senior scientists.
• Strong project and portfolio management skills (budgets, timelines, agreements, governance).
• The ability to read, evaluate, and form opinions on scientific literature and communicate them clearly.
• A collaborative, agile mindset suited to a small, dynamic, purpose-driven team.

Experience in research translation or industry partnerships will be beneficial but not essential. People with spinal cord injury are strongly encouraged to apply.

Benefits

• Work at the forefront of medical research with real-world impact.
• Help shape a national research strategy built around a landmark SCI roadmap.
• Collaborate with some of the most respected scientific leaders in the field.
• Enjoy autonomy, flexibility, deep purpose, and meaningful contribution.
• Join a passionate, supportive, close-knit team genuinely committed to making a difference.

About Company

If you’re ready to play a critical role in accelerating scientific breakthroughs and improving the lives of thousands of Australians, we’d love to hear from you.