Manager (Australian Cotton Disease Collaboration Virtual National Centre)

Manager (Australian Cotton Disease Collaboration Virtual National Centre)

Full-time fixed-term appointment until 28 June 2028

Total remuneration range: $149,914 pa to $158,607 pa

Location: Toowoomba campus

Are you an experienced Manager with a passion for operations, project management and strategic communications? Do you thrive in roles that require strategic thinking and where your communication and networking skills can shine?

Join us and play a key management role for the Australian Cotton Disease Collaboration (ACDC) Virtual National Centre at the University of Southern Queensland Toowoomba campus.

In collaboration with the Cotton Research Development Corporation (CRDC) and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Queensland (DAF), UniSQ has been selected as a lead strategic partner for the ACDC which will see our renowned crop scientists leading research into crop disease which will mitigate the economic impact of disease in cotton and shape a future where cotton production thrives.

Who you are

You are a strategic thinker with exceptional project management skills and an understanding of the research, development and extension environment. Your ability to build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders comes naturally to you, and you thrive in environments where teamwork and collaboration is valued.

Your communication skills are exceptional, and you will enjoy establishing a two-way information flow between the ACDC Virtual National Centre and our partners to amplify knowledge sharing of cotton disease research with grower groups, agronomists and researchers.

What you'll do

In this key role, you will provide high level operational, communication and project management to ensure the strategic goals of the newly established ACDC Virtual National Centre are delivered effectively. You will collaborate with ACDC Project Partners, the CRDC, DAF and other stakeholders to implement comprehensive communication and engagement plans that connect Australian cotton growers, consultants, agronomists, and researchers to strengthen the future success of Australia’s cotton industry.

Your initial priorities will include:

• Establishing the ACDC Virtual National Centre and overseeing the contract management process to bring all relevant partners on board.


• Ensuring that the ACDC strategic objectives and KPI’s are met throughout the program’s life.


• Leading, managing and reporting on the ACDC Strategic Plan to ensure the successful governance and financial management of the $13 million investment by the CRDC.


• Leading the development and execution of strategic stakeholder and communication management plans as well as the creation of high quality-content for various channels to promote the work of the ACDC.


• Establishing the various committees as part of the governance of the ACDC.

What will help you succeed

Key to your success in this role will be your strong project management and communications background along with your exceptional communication skills and ability to build collaborative stakeholder relationships. You will also have:

• Relevant postgraduate qualification with extensive experience and expertise in a professional services or communications field, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training.


• Demonstrated connections in the agricultural industry (preferably cotton) and experience translating research outcomes into practice.


• An ability to organise and manage a wide variety of complex tasks and projects to meet conflicting priorities and achieve high quality strategic outcomes.


• Experience in preparing reports, plans, policies, briefing papers and other complex documentation to provide recommendations and advice to key stakeholders.

For further information about this role, please contact Associate Professor Sambasivam Periyannan, Associate Professor (Crop Molecular Genetics) and Director (ACDC Virtual National Centre), via +61 7 4631 1502 or Sambasivam.Periyannan@unisq.edu.au.

To find out more about the ACDC Virtual National Centre, please visit ACDC Virtual National Centre.

The University offers a range of different ways of working and connecting across our physical and virtual spaces to meet the needs of our students, partners and community. We value diversity and strive to foster an inclusive environment that is underpinned by our values and champions, embraces and respects differences.

We support and encourage applications from all diversity groups. With an increasingly diverse workforce, we understand that careers may be placed on hold or limited throughout many life circumstances.

Find out more about UniSQ at www.unisq.edu.au.

Reference Number: 0189_09/24

Location: Toowoomba

Term: Full-time fixed term appointment until 28 June 2028 (36 hours/week)

Salary: Total remuneration range $149,914 pa to $158,607 pa (includes salary range of $126,670 pa to $134,016 pa, employer super contributions up to 17% and annual leave loading)

Closes: Monday, 7 October 2024 at 11:30 pm (AEST)

At UniSQ we are united by our core values of Respect, Integrity and Excellence, which guide our daily actions and decision-making.

To be considered for this position, you will need to have the right to work in Australia.

If you know that this role is right for you, please submit your current resume together with a two-page (maximum) statement, outlining your skills and experience relative to ‘Who we’re looking for’ in the position description.

For more information on our selection process please refer to your recruitment journey available on our website.

Position Description

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