Chief Operating Officer, ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space

Job no:511596
Work type:Fixed term - Full-time
Campus:Adelaide
Categories:HEO10, Management

HEO10 ($131,306 – $139,945) per annum (negotiable) plus an employer contribution of 17% superannuation applies.

*Fixed term position for 7 years (tied to Australian Research Council [ARC]funding)

Upon establishment in late 2023, the ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space (P4S) will constitute a 7-year, $90M investment with 38 national and international partners, including major space agencies, international universities, and agricultural, technology, and education industries (www.plants4space.com).

Our vision is to enable long-term, deep Space habitation and create new breakthroughs for on-Earth sustainability through plant & food redesign, positioning Australia as the global leader for plant-based Space research and education. Expected deliverables include innovative plants, foods, and technologies for industry, with patents and spin-off companies to create on-demand, zero-waste, high efficiency plants and plant products.

Headquartered at the University of Adelaide, P4S will have a standing cohort of at least 200 staff and students across 5 Australian universities. We are looking for a P4S Chief Operating Officer (COO), reporting to the Director of P4S, to help lead our diverse and passionate group. Working with a high degree of autonomy, the P4S COO will be responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the Centre, including all aspects of its establishment, operation, and outcomes.

To be successful you will need:

• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead a team, deliver an organisational vision, and manage individuals’ and teams’ performances.
• Proven record of establishing and maintaining productive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels of the organisation and across different sectors, contributing to removing barriers or influencing outcomes.
• Aptitude for strategic thinking, translating strategies and priorities into goals, and leading change, ideally in a research setting.
• Experience in commercialising and managing Intellectual Property (background and new) across multiple partners and projects.
• Highly developed time and workload management skills, with demonstrated ability to prioritise effectively, manage competing demands, meet deadlines, and achieve results.
• Exceptional problem solving, conflict resolution, negotiation, and influencing skills, including the ability to investigate and manage complex issues with diplomacy and discretion.
• Demonstrated experience in effective planning and management of a significant budget.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, exercising initiative and sound judgement to manage day-to-day operations and deliverables.
• High-level written and oral communication skills.

Please note a working with children check will be required for this role.

Enjoy an outstanding career environment

The University of Adelaide is a uniquely rewarding workplace. The size, breadth and quality of our education and research programs — including significant industry, government and community collaborations — offers you vast scope and opportunity for a long, fulfilling career.

As a member of Australia’s Go8, the University of Adelaide is recognised as one of the nation’s most respected research-intensive universities, challenging and inspiring graduates to make a real difference.

It also enables us to attract high-calibre people in all facets of our operations, ensuring you will be surrounded by talented colleagues, many world-leading. Our work's cutting-edge nature — not just in your own area, but across virtually the full spectrum of human endeavour — provides a constant source of inspiration.

Our culture is one that welcomes all and embraces diversity consistent with our Staff Values and Behaviour Framework and our Values of integrity, respect, collegiality, excellence and discovery. We firmly believe that our people are our most valuable asset, so we work to grow and diversify the skills, knowledge and capability of all our staff.

We embrace flexibility as a key principle to allow our people to manage the changing demands of work, personal and family life.

In addition, we offer a wide range of attractive staff benefits. These include salary packaging; flexible work arrangements; high-quality professional development programs and activities; and an on-campus health clinic, gym and other fitness facilities.

Learn more at: adelaide.edu.au/jobs

Your division's broader role

The P4S COO will be associated with the University’s business units of the Division of Research & Innovation (DRI) and the Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology (SET).

The Division of Research and Innovation leads the University's research strategic planning. It manages research, partnerships, prioritises investment in strategic initiatives, and responds to changes in the external environment.

Learn more at: adelaide.edu.au/research/about-us/

Your faculty’s broader role

The Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology is a multidisciplinary hub of cutting-edge teaching and research. Many of its academic staff are world leaders in their fields and graduates are highly regarded by employers. The Faculty actively partners with innovative industries to solve problems of global significance.

Learn more at: set.adelaide.edu.au

If you have the talent, we'll give you the opportunity. Together, let's make history.

Click on the ‘Apply Now’ button to be taken through to the online application form. Please ensure you submit a cover letter, resume, and upload a document that includes your responses to all of the selection criteria for the position as contained in the position description document.

Applications will close 11:55pm, 30th April 2023.

The University reserves the right to close this advertisement before the closing date if a suitable candidate is identified.

For further information

For a confidential discussion regarding this position, contact:

Professor Matthew Gilliham
Director, Waite Research Institute,
Director, ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space (P4S)
P: +61 (8) 8313 8145
E: [email protected]

You'll find a full position description and/or selection criteria below: (If no links appear, please try viewing on another device)

The University of Adelaide is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. Female applicants, people with a disability and/or and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who meet the requirements of this position are strongly encouraged to apply. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at time of application. 

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