Summary

Full-Time | 2-Year 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.

An exciting opportunity exists for an experienced Program Manager to join the SAHMRI Women and Kids Theme and support the delivery of the Care and Connect Pathways Program—a significant Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) funded initiative designed to strengthen support for Aboriginal young people and families during key life transitions.

This is a unique opportunity to lead a complex, community-driven program that will contribute to improved health outcomes for Aboriginal communities, influence policy and service delivery, and create lasting impact across South Australia and beyond.

About the role

As Program Manager, you will play a pivotal role in establishing, coordinating and monitoring this multi-site research program across metropolitan and regional South Australia.

Working closely with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, community members, researchers, health services and government stakeholders, you will ensure successful program delivery while maintaining culturally responsive and ethical research practices.

Reporting to the ACRA Research Manager and working alongside the program's investigators and leadership team, you will oversee program implementation, stakeholder engagement, project governance and team coordination.

Some regional travel across South Australia will be required.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead the planning, implementation and ongoing management of program activities
• Coordinate research delivery across multiple sites and project phases
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Aboriginal communities, partner organisations and stakeholders
• Monitor project milestones, timelines, budgets and deliverables
• Support ethical, culturally respectful and best-practice research processes
• Lead and support project staff, students and contractors
• Prepare reports for investigators, funding bodies, governance and ethics committees
• Contribute to knowledge translation, dissemination and publication activities
• Support continuous improvement through auditing, monitoring and quality assurance processes

About You

The successful candidate will possess the following key attributes:

• Higher degree in Public Health, Psychology, Social Sciences or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience in a research environment
• Previous experience in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander maternal/infant, family health or community development.
• Demonstrated experience working with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and communities.
• Experience managing complex projects, programs or research initiatives
• Knowledge of Aboriginal social, cultural and historical determinants of health and wellbeing
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills
• Experience coordinating governance, ethics, reporting and project administration requirements
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams
• High-level proficiency in Microsoft Office applications

Desirable

• Experience in maternal, child or family health research
• Experience using REDCap, NVivo and/or other research data systems
• Experience with qualitative and quantitative research methods and analysis
• Understanding of implementation research in Aboriginal health contexts

Special Requirements

• Some out of hours work may be required
• DCSI Employment Screening and Police Checks may be required
• Regular travel between work and study sites across South Australia will be required
• A current driver’s licence is required
• SAHMRI is required to implement the Addressing vaccine preventable disease: Occupational assessment, screening and vaccination policy for SAHMRI employees carrying out work in any SA Health Facility
  • Immunisation Risk for this position is - Category A (direct contact with blood or body substances)

Working at SAHMRI

At SAHMRI, our work is guided by the values of:

Excellence | Innovation | Courage | Integrity | Teamwork

We offer a collaborative and supportive environment where talented people can contribute to research that creates real-world impact.

Benefits

• Salary packaging benefits of up to $15,900 per year
• Opportunity to contribute to nationally significant Aboriginal health research
• Collaborative and inclusive workplace culture
• Professional development and career growth opportunities
• Work alongside leading researchers, clinicians and community partners

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

For more information, please contact Feda.Ali at Feda.ali@sahmri.com

Applications close: Sunday 26th July 2026

Early applications are encouraged, the position may close earlier if a suitable candidate is identified.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.