Head of Operations (ANZSA)

Date: 17 Jul 2025

Site: VCCC (Parkville)

Location:

MELBOURNE, VIC, AU, 3000

Company: Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

Unit: ANZ Sarcoma Association

Division: Cancer Research

Department: Office Of Cancer Research

Enterprise Agreement: Health and Allied Services, Managers and Administr

ANZ Sarcoma Association

At Peter Mac we aim to continuously improve cancer care, research and education across all cancers and for all people affected by cancer: changing lives, breaking new ground. Everything we do is underpinned by our core values, Excellence, Compassion and Innovation. Welcoming people from a wide variety of different backgrounds and experiences is critical to fostering innovation, cultivating compassion, attracting and retaining top talent and providing the best possible cancer care for our patients.

YOUR ROLE IN OUR FUTURE

Head of Operations - ANZSA

12-months fixed term, full time (with potential to become ongoing)
80 hours per fortnight with monthly ADOs
Grade 6: HS6 level

About the role

The Head of Operations plays a crucial leadership role within ANZSA, working closely with the CEO to drive strategic initiatives, oversee operational and research support functions, and ensure the charity’s sustainability and growth.

About you

The successful candidate will be a highly motivated professional with experience in nonprofit management, government, hospital, and university operations.

The ideal candidate will meet the following essential requirements:

Proven experience in a leadership or senior management role, ideally within a research, healthcare, or nonprofit organization.
Experience working within or alongside government agencies, hospitals, and universities to facilitate clinical research initiatives and ensure alignment with institutional processes.
Excellent strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
Ability to oversee operational aspects of research programs, ensuring smooth execution and institutional alignment. and manage multidisciplinary teams effectively.
Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage both scientific and non-scientific audiences.
Passion for sarcoma research and a commitment to the charity’s mission.
Ability to work well in a small team with a collegiate and “can do” attitude

Our Benefits

We offer a range of benefits which support our people both personally and professionally, including:

Up to $11,660 in salary packaging to increase your take home pay
Discounted health insurance and eye care
A comprehensive health and wellbeing program
Public transport options at our doorstep and end of trip facilities for cyclists
Onsite eateries and coffee shops and inviting rooftop garden spaces
Pathways for professional development and new career opportunities
Five weeks annual leave, 17.5% leave loading, purchased leave options and monthly ADOs
Flexible, hybrid working practices

Inclusion and belonging

Peter Mac celebrates, values and supports a diverse and inclusive environment which reflects our vibrant community. We encourage applications from anyone identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. We also welcome anyone who identifies as LGBTQIA+, linguistically, culturally and/or gender diverse, people with disability, and people of any age to apply for our roles.

Join us!

If you feel this role is right for you we warmly invite you to apply, and encourage your early application. All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory police check and may include vaccination requirements. Should you need assistance or require any adjustments or accommodations to fully participate in the application or interview process, you are welcome to reach out to the contact person listed. We acknowledge that not all applicants will meet the full list of selection criteria outlined, and wherever possible we will consider applications where relevant experience can apply.

Applicants to this role should provide a covering letter outlining relative key skills and experience to assist us with our assessment.

For further information about this opportunity, click Apply to be redirected to the Peter Mac Careers page where you can review the position summary. Alternatively, please contact us using the information below for a confidential discussion.

Hiring Manager: Denise Caruso - CEO (ANZSA)

Contact Number: (03 8559 6230)

Email: Denise.Caruso@petermac.org

Applications Close: 31 July 2025
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Position Summary

The Head of Operations plays a crucial leadership role within ANZSA, working closely with the CEO to drive strategic initiatives, oversee operational and research support functions, and ensure the charity’s sustainability and growth. This role is ideal for a highly motivated professional with experience in nonprofit management, government, hospital, and university operations. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership, financial management, and stakeholder engagement skills to ensure smooth day-to-day operations. They will support researchers, clinicians and patients by navigating institutional requirements, facilitating research partnerships, and securing funding. A strong background in business development including support for fundraising initiatives is desired. This role is ideal for a highly motivated experienced executive with a strong research background who is passionate about advancing sarcoma research and translating scientific discoveries into real-world impact. Working in a small team the ideal candidate will also have broad experience navigating government, hospital, and university operations to facilitate research collaboration, support stakeholders, oversee education and advocacy events and utilize funding opportunities.

Enterprise Agreement

Health and Allied Services, Managers and Adminstrative Workers

Classification or Salary Range

Grade 6: HS6

Immunisation Risk Category

Category C: Position within a non-clinical setting

Key Relationships

Internal	CEO ANZSA Board ANZSA staff members
External	Sarcoma clinicians Researchers Patients

Education

Skills

Essential Requirements

Proven experience in a leadership or senior management role, ideally within a research, healthcare, or nonprofit organization.
Experience working within or alongside government agencies, hospitals, and universities to facilitate clinical research initiatives and ensure alignment with institutional processes.
Excellent strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
Ability to oversee operational aspects of research programs, ensuring smooth execution and institutional alignment. and manage multidisciplinary teams effectively.
Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage both scientific and non-scientific audiences.
Passion for sarcoma research and a commitment to the charity’s mission.
Ability to work well in a small team with a collegiate and “can do” attitude

Desireable Requirements

A PhD in clinical research science, biomedical sciences, or a related field, with a strong understanding of the sarcoma research landscape.
Strong understanding of scientific research processes, grant funding, and academic collaboration.
Experience in business management, including strategic planning and operational oversight.
Strong understanding of budgeting, financial management, and resource allocation within a nonprofit or research setting.
Knowledge of corporate governance principles and compliance requirements for nonprofit organizations and research institutions.
Extensive experience in the health or medical research sector, particularly in clinical research and translational science.

Certifications, Licenses & Registrations

Key Accountabilities

Key Accountabilities	Demonstrated By / Key Performance Indicators
1. Operations & Research Support	Oversee and optimize day-to-day operational activities, ensuring efficient support for research programs, grant administration, and institutional partnerships, ensuring efficiency across all departments, ensuring alignment with best practices, ethical guidelines, and institutional requirements. Manage and support, executive, stakeholder, administrative and research support staff, ensuring researchers have the resources, infrastructure, and compliance guidance needed to conduct high-quality research to maximize efficiency and engagement. Monitor the impact and effectiveness of operational processes and program delivery and implement improvements as needed. Liaise with hospitals, universities, and government agencies to facilitate research collaborations, streamline approval processes, and ensure compliance with institutional policies. to streamline research approvals and partnerships.
2. Finance, Grants & Fundraising	Assist in financial planning, budgeting, and ensuring financial sustainability. Lead and support grant applications, funding proposals, and operational reporting processes. Develop relationships with government grant bodies, hospital foundations, and university funding sources to secure research funding. Collaborate with the fundraising team to develop donor engagement strategies and secure additional funding streams.
3. Stakeholder Engagement & Advocacy	Build and maintain relationships with key partners, including researchers, healthcare professionals, government agencies, donors, and community members. Represent the charity at scientific conferences, research meetings, government panels, and policy discussions. Advocate for increased funding and support for the charity’s programs and services within government and hospital networks.
4. Risk & Compliance	Ensure compliance with legal, ethical, and regulatory requirements for nonprofit operations, particularly within government and hospital frameworks. Identify and mitigate risks related to research integrity, funding, and compliance

Key Accountabilities (Contd..)

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For further information about this opportunity, click Apply to be redirected to the Peter Mac Careers page where you can review the position profile. Alternatively, please contact us for a confidential discussion.

Peter Mac is a child safe organisation and has a commitment to child safety and wellbeing.

WHY WORK FOR PETER MAC

Peter Mac offer a range of benefits which support our people both personally and professionally.
Our staff benefits include award winning facilities, professional development and events, a health and wellbeing program, flexible work practices and policies and financial benefits such as salary packaging.
We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, all members of the LGBTQI community and people with a disability.