Executive Director, MWAC

Job Description:

The Opportunity

• Lead Australia’s largest shared facility in Australia, a ‘powerhouse’ of UNSW.
• Work closely with the PVCRI to shape the future of the Centre to provide leading-edge research infrastructure at UNSW.
• Competitive Remuneration Package
• Full time role (35 hours per week)

The Executive Director, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre will lead one of UNSW’s most significant research infrastructure platforms through its next phase of growth, impact and service excellence. MWAC is a nationally recognised centre delivering a comprehensive suite of core research facilities across science, engineering, medicine and biomedical research, supporting UNSW faculties, external users, industry and national research collaborations.

This is a major leadership role within the Pro-vice Chancellor of Research Infrastructure portfolio with responsibility for a highly complex, centralised research infrastructure environment comprising 25 laboratories, ~140 staff including eight Senior Directors. The Executive Director will provide strategic direction, operational leadership and future capability planning across advanced analytical platforms including clinical imaging, electron & light microscopies, X-ray, mass spectrometry, statistics and other related interdisciplinary technologies.

Working closely with the Pro Vice-Chancellor Research Infrastructure and the MWAC senior leadership team, this role will shape the Centre’s strategy, strengthen service delivery, lead major infrastructure planning, support funding applications, build national and international partnerships, and ensure MWAC continues to enable world-class research and translation across UNSW.

About UNSW:

UNSW isn’t like other places you’ve worked. We are a large organisation with a diverse and highly talented community doing extraordinary work. We are driven to be thoughtful, practical and purposeful in all we do, and this collective approach is what gives our work impact. It is also why UNSW is consistently ranked among the world’s top 20 universities in the QS World University Rankings and is a proud member of Australia’s prestigious Group of Eight. If you’re seeking a career where you can thrive, be challenged and contribute to meaningful work, you’re in the right place.

Who you are

This role will suit a strategic, operationally excellent leader who can inspire multidisciplinary teams, build high-performing service cultures, plan future capability, secure infrastructure investment, and work across institutional, national and international networks. You will also need:

• A PhD and an internationally recognised research profile in a relevant discipline aligned with the mission and capabilities of the Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, such as science, engineering, biomedical or medical sciences
• A strong research track record commensurate with the academic level of the appointment, including demonstrated leadership of complex research infrastructure, platforms, programs, or institutes.
• Proven experience in leading and developing multiple shared research facilities, or core laboratories, to success.
• Demonstrated experience in leading initiatives in research infrastructure and in engaging widely with researchers in the sector.
• Extensive knowledge of governance, policy, regulatory, and compliance requirements relevant to research infrastructure and laboratory-based environments within the higher education or research sector.
• Demonstrated success in securing research infrastructure funding from government agencies, industry partners, and other sources.
• Excellent people management skills and experience at a senior level, including a strong commitment to staff development and equity and diversity.
• Strong strategic planning and visioning skills, with the ability to align Centre goals with broader organisational objectives.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
• A track record of fostering interdisciplinary research collaborations and partnerships.
• Experience in managing budgets, resources, and research infrastructure effectively.
• Knowledge of research ethics, integrity, and compliance requirements.
• A commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable research environment.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, with the capacity to think strategically, inspire teams, implement strategic plans, oversee budgets, and lead change in a group of complex research facilities.
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills with demonstrated ability to build both internal and external relationships and networks.
• Demonstrated capacity to contribute to the university’s agreed strategic direction.

To Apply: Make each day matter with a meaningful career at UNSW. Submit your application online before 11:55pm, 28th June 2026. Please submit your CV and a Cover Letter outlining your suitability. A copy of the Position Description can be found on JOBS@UNSW.

Pre-Employment Checks
Aligned with UNSW’s focus on cultivating a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct, and strong integrity preferred candidates will be required to participate in a combination of pre-employment checks relevant to the role they have applied for.

These pre-employment checks may include a combination of some of the following checks:-

• National and International Criminal history checks
• Entitlement to work and ID checks
• Working With Children Checks
• Completion of a Gender-Based Violence Prevention Declaration
• Verification of relevant qualifications
• Verification of relevant professional membership
• Employment history and reference checks
• Financial responsibility assessments/checks.
• Medical Checks and Assessments

Compliance with the necessary combination of these checks is a condition of employment at UNSW.

Contact: Kim Symons, Talent Acquisition Manager [email protected]

Please apply through the application portal and not via the contact above.

UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff.

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.