Business Manager

Posted date: 25 / 06 / 2026

Important information

• Reference: SAHMRI823
• Employment type: FTC - Full-time Contract
• Location: SAHMRI North Terrace
• Applications close: Friday, 10 July 2026
• Contact: ***email_hidden***

Summary

Full-Time | 12-Month Contract

At the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), we are committed to achieving innovative, ground-breaking health and medical research that fundamentally improves the quality of life for all people.

The Wardliparingga Aboriginal Health Equity Theme is a nationally recognised Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led research unit dedicated to achieving health equity through high-quality, culturally safe health and medical research.

We are seeking a proactive and relationship-focused Business Manager to support the strategic, operational and administrative success of the Theme. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to research that creates meaningful change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.

About the role

Reporting to the Co-Theme Leaders, Aboriginal Health Equity, the Business Manager plays a critical role in enabling the successful delivery of research, engagement and operational priorities across the Theme.

You will provide leadership and oversight of key business functions including financial management, workforce planning, research administration, contract management, governance and reporting. Working closely with researchers, community partners, funding bodies and SAHMRI Corporate Services, you will ensure systems, processes and resources are in place to support the delivery of high-quality research outcomes.

This position requires strong stakeholder engagement skills, with significant interaction across Aboriginal community-controlled organisations, government agencies, research institutions, funding bodies and health service providers.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing project management support in financial management, ethical standards and reporting
• Overseeing the business activities of the Theme, including general operational support, establishing contracts, business development and contract management
• Coordinating and supporting with recruitment and workforce planning activities
• Maintaining business and research documentation, including financial records, legal agreements and policies and procedures
• Managing stakeholder relationships across government, community and research sectors
• Key milestone coordination and management across the theme, including report preparation and editing, for internal and external reporting
• Contract management, in consultation with the SAHMRI Legal Counsel
• Ensure research activities and other outputs are compliant and aligned with the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research and working to the principles of the South Australian Aboriginal Health Research Accord.

About You

The successful candidate will possess the following key attributes:

• Undergraduate or tertiary qualifications in business, social sciences or relevant health sciences discipline or equivalent experience and/or equivalent experience at senior levels in government and/or Aboriginal community-controlled organisations.
• Experience in the conduct and coordination of health research.
• Knowledge and experience gained working in health, academic or relevant industry group.
• Experience in Aboriginal health research
• Business and financial management skills, including contract management
• Experience in managing staff, including recruitment, training and performance management.
• Knowledge of systems and processes to support the collation and management of high-quality data and accuracy in health research.
• Knowledge of confidentiality and privacy laws and guidelines relevant to medical research.
• Knowledge of Aboriginal culture and health issues or the ability to quickly acquire this knowledge.
• Strong relationship management and collaborative skills; able to establish rapport with others quickly.
• Knowledge of relevant regulations, codes of research practice and policies
• Capacity to build trust, manage relationships and establish rapport effectively.
• Exemplary interpersonal, written and oral communication skills, including at publishable standard.
• Experience and competence with qualitative or quantitative analysis software would be desirable.

Special Requirements

• Some out of hours work may be required.
• DCSI Employment Screening and Police Checks may be required.
• Extensive travel intrastate, including to urban, regional, or remote parts of South Australia will be required.

Why Join SAHMRI?

At SAHMRI, our values of Excellence, Innovation, Courage, Integrity and Teamwork underpin everything we do. We foster a culture that supports collaboration, professional growth and research excellence while making a genuine impact on community health outcomes.

As a SAHMRI employee, you will also enjoy:

• Salary packaging benefits of up to $15,900 per year
• The opportunity to work within a leading independent health and medical research institute
• A collaborative and purpose-driven workplace
• The chance to contribute to research that supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health equity

To be considered for this position, applicants must hold relevant working rights within Australia at the time of application.

For more information, please contact Odette Pearson at ***email_hidden***

Applications close: Friday 10 th July 2026

Applications may close earlier than advertised if a suitable candidate is identified.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply

Applications close Friday, 10 July 2026

Contact ***email_hidden***

Equity & Diversity at SAHMRI

At SAHMRI, we live our commitment to equity and diversity every day: respecting people as individuals and valuing differences to create a working environment that is fair and flexible, promotes personal and professional growth and benefits from the capabilities of a diverse workforce.