Clinical Research Operations Manager

Fulltime Permanent

Onsite, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW

Reporting to: Director, Operations

About you

You are an experienced clinical research governance and ethics professional who thrives in complex, highly regulated research environments and enjoys enabling great science through strong systems and thoughtful advice. You bring a deep understanding of human research ethics, governance frameworks and regulatory compliance, paired with a collaborative and pragmatic working style. Confident in your judgement and comfortable influencing at all levels, you balance rigour with approachability to support researchers and operational leaders alike. You are organised, analytical and proactive, with a genuine commitment to continuous improvement and professional development. Above all, you are motivated by purpose and driven by the opportunity to contribute to life‑changing cardiovascular research.

The role

The Clinical Research Operations Manager is a newly created role responsible for the day-to‑day leadership and delivery of high‑quality clinical research ethics and governance services across the Institute. Reporting to the Director, Operations, you will oversee governance frameworks, systems and processes that ensure research is conducted in line with institutional policies, NSW Health directives and all relevant state and federal regulations. Working closely with researchers, clinicians, operations leaders and external stakeholders, you will provide expert advice, facilitate efficient ethics and site approval processes, and embed best practice governance across clinical research. This role plays a critical part in enabling impactful, ethical research while supporting compliance, transparency and accountability across the Institute.

What we will trust you with

Shaping and embedding fit‑for‑purpose research ethics and governance practices that support high quality, compliant research
Providing timely, expert oversight of site and access approvals to enable research to progress efficiently
Acting as a trusted advisor to researchers, sponsors and collaborators on ethics, governance and regulatory matters
Maintaining and optimising governance systems, processes and documentation to support best practice administration
Ensuring alignment with institutional policies, NSW Health directives and broader legislative and regulatory obligations
Building research governance capability through targeted training, guidance and education initiatives
Monitoring, analysing and reporting on governance performance, risk and compliance
Developing strong partnerships across the Institute and with external stakeholders, including health services and regulators
Supporting frameworks that assess and report on the impact of clinical research
Driving continuous improvement across research governance, ethics and compliance activities

Does this sound like you?

You bring relevant tertiary qualifications or equivalent experience in health, medical research or research governance
Strong working knowledge of the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research, OHMR policies, privacy requirements and Good Clinical Practice
Hands‑on experience reviewing ethics and site governance applications in complex research environments
Highly organised and able to balance competing priorities with confidence and judgement
Ability to communicate complex information clearly, confidently and with influence across diverse stakeholder groups
Strong analytical, problem‑solving and strategic thinking capabilities
Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary setting
You demonstrate integrity, discretion and professionalism in all aspects of your work
Committed to ongoing learning and continuous improvement
Experience in a medical research or not‑for‑profit environment will be well regarded

About us

The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute (the Institute) is dedicated to finding cures for cardiovascular disease and is one of the most respected heart research facilities in the world. Renowned for the quality of its breakthroughs, the Institute was established in 1994 and has grown to a team of more than 200 researchers from around the globe, working across five divisions.

A global centre-of-excellence, it integrates Cardiac Physiology and Transplantation, Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Molecular Cardiology and Biophysics, Structural and Computational Biology, as well as Vascular Biology. At the Institute, we translate our discoveries into new diagnostics, prevention, and treatment of cardiovascular disease - reducing the incidence, severity, and impact of heart disease.

What you will be proud of

Being part of an Institute that is not only dedicated to finding cures for cardiovascular disease, but one that also strives to ensure our employees and students enjoy a great working environment. We value and are committed to providing a safe working environment that embraces diversity, gender equity and promote flexible working arrangements for all employees.

We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply. We also welcome applicants with diverse educational backgrounds, professional knowledge, personality types, thinking styles and life experiences. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.

What we offer

Salary packaging (including a $15,900 tax-free component, plus meal and entertainment allowances, holiday accommodation/venue hire plus many more).
Banking & lifestyle benefits with Commonwealth Bank, including lending offers, discounts from participating retailers and financial wellbeing webinars.
Fitness Passport
Excellent environment with new state-of-the-art equipment.
Collaborative team environment
Continuous learning and development opportunities

Early applications are encouraged, we are reviewing and conducting interviews on a rolling basis upon receiving applications.

Come and work with us & help make a difference.