Senior Manager, AITC Operations

Classification: Senior Manager 2 
Salary package: $155,264 per annum plus 17% superannuation
Term: Full time, Continuing (Contingent Funded) 

This position is continuing (contingent funded). The funding that supports this project has an expected end date of 21 December 2030.

The Position

We are seeking a skilled, values‑driven Senior Manager, AITC Operations who thrives in collaborative environments and is motivated by meaningful, high‑impact work. This role is ideal for candidates — including women and those returning to work, transitioning careers or seeking flexible arrangements — who want to engage in complex technical operations while contributing to a positive, inclusive workplace culture.

At ANU, we recognise that diverse teams deliver better outcomes, and we actively support flexible and part‑time work options to help you succeed and offers:

• Genuine flexible work options — including part‑time, compressed hours, hybrid work, and school‑hours arrangements where operationally possible.
• A supportive, family‑friendly culture with strong uptake of flexible work across the College.
• Career development opportunities in leadership, project management, and technical operations.
• Work in a collaborative, respectful environment where contributions are valued and wellbeing is prioritised.
• Access to 17% superannuation, generous leave, and a vibrant, welcoming campus surrounded by native bushland.

Reporting to the AITC Technical Director, the Operations Manager plays a central leadership role in ensuring the Centre’s people, capabilities and infrastructure support our world‑class instrumentation program. Your work will span operational planning, workforce strategy, project governance, and compliance, supporting multidisciplinary engineering teams working on exciting and complex technical missions.

This role can be offered on a full‑time or part‑time basis to suit the right candidate.

Key focus areas include:

• Coordinating implementation of operational and workforce plans, capability development and multi‑year scheduling.
• Supporting a high‑performance, inclusive and safe workplace culture that empowers technical and research staff.
• Overseeing project management systems including scheduling, cost management, resource allocation and risk mitigation.
• Ensuring compliance with WHS, product and engineering standards, export controls and research security requirements.
• Enhancing organisational processes, documentation, templates and governance frameworks.
• Providing strategic, operational advice to the AITC Technical Director.

We welcome applicants who bring leadership strengths from other sectors (engineering, research, advanced manufacturing, defence, space, technology, etc.).

The Person

We are seeking someone who:

• Has postgraduate qualifications and/or significant experience in project or operational management.
• Is confident working with technical and engineering teams, even if not a technical specialist.
• Brings strong organisational, strategic thinking and communication skills.
• Can build supportive, collaborative relationships across diverse teams.
• Values inclusion, equity, safety, professionalism and continuous improvement.
• Is willing to learn, adapt and contribute to a mission‑driven culture.

You do not need to meet every single criterion to apply — we encourage women, people from under‑represented groups and those with non‑linear career paths to consider this opportunity.

The School

The Advanced Instrumentation and Technology Centre (AITC) at the Australian National University is home to one of Australia’s most advanced engineering and technology environments for astronomy and space science. We design and deliver world‑leading instruments for major observatories, international space missions, Earth‑observation systems and next‑generation optical technologies.

The College

The ANU College of Science and Medicine encompasses the disciplines of: Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Environment and Society, Mathematics, Physics, and Science Communication and is also home to a number of cross-disciplinary and specialist Institutes and Centres.  Staff and students within the ANU College of Science and Medicine conduct research and deliver a research-led education program that encompasses the breadth of the sciences, supported by extensive international networks and by world-class facilities. 

To find out more about the Science at ANU community, follow us on social media at Instagram and Facebook

For further information please contact, Dr Roger Haynes T: +61 2 61250313, roger.haynes@anu.edu.au. 

The University actively encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. For more information on employment opportunities, contact our Indigenous Employment Consultant on indigenous.employment@anu.edu.au  

ANU values diversity and inclusion and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to those of all backgrounds and identities. For more information about staff equity at ANU, visit https://services.anu.edu.au/human-resources/respect-inclusion

Application information

In order to apply for this role please make sure that you upload the following documents:

• A statement addressing the selection criteria.
• A current curriculum vitae (CV) which includes the names and contact details of at least three referees (preferably including a current or previous supervisor). If your CV does not include referees you can complete these online when prompted in the application form.
• Other documents, if required.

Applications which do not address the selection criteria may not be considered for the position.

Please note: The successful candidate must have rights to live and work in this country and will be required to undergo a background check during the recruitment process.  An offer of employment is conditional on satisfactory results.