Operations Manager

• Shape the operational future of a leading School in health and biomedical sciences
• Work at the intersection of education, research, and real-world health outcomes
• Make a difference in the training of future health professionals

The Role

Are you ready to lead complex laboratory operations and drive strategic growth in a dynamic health and science environment?

The School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy is seeking an experienced and innovative Operations Manager to work closely with the school executive to lead the delivery of safety, research integrity compliance, and operational excellence across our diverse suite of laboratories—including pharmacy, anatomy, and PC2 research and teaching facilities—spanning multiple locations.

As the Operations Manager, you will:

• Oversee the School’s critical safety and compliance requirements, ensuring laboratories meet all licensing and regulatory obligations (e.g. NSW Health, OGTR).
• Work closely with Facilities Management, Work Health and Safety and laboratory leaders to ensure safe working laboratories across our footprint, including resource planning, equipment maintenance and procurement, and facilities development.
• Work closely with academic leads to identify, develop, and implement new commercial teaching and training opportunities, such as those delivered through the Surgical Skills Training Unit and Athlete Testing Unit.
• Oversee the Body Donor Program, in collaboration with the Technical Team Leader (Anatomy), supporting anatomical education across both the Callaghan and Central Coast campuses.
• Foster strong internal and external relationships to support inter-professional education, build industry partnerships, and drive strategic initiatives that generate new income streams for the School.
• Lead a team of technical staff, cultivating a high-performing, collaborative, ethical and safety-first culture.

What you’ll bring

As a proactive leader and skilled operations professional who thrives in a complex and regulated environment. You will bring:

• Proven experience managing laboratory operations, safety systems, and compliance frameworks in a university or health/science setting.
• A strong understanding of ethics, health and safety protocols, and relevant licensing (e.g. OGTR, NSW Health).
• Demonstrated ability to manage people and performance, lead change, and develop systems that drive continuous improvement.
• Experience identifying commercial opportunities and building business cases, proposals, or partnerships with industry and health sector stakeholders.
• Outstanding communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with a collaborative mindset and strategic approach.

This continuing position is full time at a HEW 7 Higher Education Level located at Callaghan Campus.

About our University

The University of Newcastle stands as a global leader distinguished by a commitment to equity and excellence. Our vision is to be a world-leading University for our regions and creating a better future for our regions and the globe. Underpinned by this vision and our values of excellence, equity, engagement and sustainability, the University of Newcastle’s Looking Ahead Strategic Plan 2020-2025 outlines the University’s commitment to delivering an exceptional student experience and serving our communities. 

For more information click here – Our Uni. 

What we offer

In addition to working for a university that is breaking boundaries, discovering new ways of thinking and cementing a place as a global leader, we offer a range of benefits to our employees to ensure you balance your commitments, stay healthy and work effectively. 

These include: 

• The remuneration for this position is from $103,641- $ 116596 p.a. + superannuation and is commensurate with skills and experience
• Flexible working arrangements (in line with the University’s Flexible Work Policy
• 17% super and salary packaging
• Additional University Holiday days, generous personal leave and parental leave, annual leave loading and additional purchased leave scheme
• Discounts in private health insurance, gym memberships, software, travel and more
• Wellbeing programs

Your next steps 

Please visit here for a guide on how to apply for a role. 

If viewing this on a job board other than the University's please click ‘Apply’ to reach the University's website, where a copy of the Position Description can be accessed. Please download a copy before commencing your application. 

Your application must include: 

• Your resume
• A cover letter outlining your motivation to apply for this opportunity
•  A statement addressing the Essential Criteria listed below demonstrating your qualifications and experience with examples.

1. Completion of a degree with at least 4 years subsequent relevant experience; or extensive experience and management expertise in business development; or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or postgraduate qualification.
2. Demonstrated experience in identifying and developing new commercial opportunities from education, technology or research.
3. Demonstrated ability to develop business cases, funding proposals and industry partnerships, including the ability to analyse and recommend income proposals.
4. Demonstrated skills in staff management, mentoring and conflict resolution.
5. Proven capacity to develop and implement plans to achieve defined outcomes including the ability to meet competing deadlines.
6. Demonstrated knowledge of workplace obligations, and experience in leading and cultivating workplace practices and behaviours that promote, support and maintain a safe, healthy, equitable, diverse and respectful workplace; including responding appropriately to adverse accidents, incidents, behaviours, issues, reports and the like. 

DESIRABLE CRITERIA Previous experience working in, or managing, a laboratory with PC2 certification requirements or as a minimum experience in submission of safety and ethics applications for a research or teaching laboratory. 

To ensure that your application receives full consideration, it's important to structure and address the selection criteria outlined in the application process. This helps us better understand your experience and suitability for the role. We appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to reviewing your application.

Please upload your Cover Letter and response to the requested Criteria as one PDF document.

Your Cover Letter and Response to the Essential Criteria should not exceed 4 pages (approximately 2,000 words).

For specific position enquiries, please contact Diane Nesbitt on (02) 4921 6624 or via email Diane.Nesbitt@newcastle.edu.au

Having Difficulties? Please reach out to us: employment@newcastle.edu.au

Closing date: Tuesday 17th June 2025 11:59pm AEST

We are excited to be Looking Ahead with you

#LI-KG1