Full-time or Part-time (minimum 0.6 FTE), 12-month fixed-term opportunity, with potential for extension
Lead a landmark statewide initiative transforming surgical cancer clinical trials across NSW as the Director of the NSW Surgical Cancer Trials Capacity & Equity Alliance, and shape the future of clinical research through collaboration, innovation, workforce development and equitable access
Offering a competitive remuneration package including 17% superannuation
About the Centre
The Sydney Clinical Trials Centre at the University of Sydney is a trusted leader in delivering high-quality clinical trials that improve health outcomes. We provide end-to-end expertise across trial design, delivery, and advanced analysis, enabling partners to generate robust, decision-ready evidence. With strong methodological capability, global reach, and proven operational excellence, we deliver an array of trials and trials related research that inform clinical practice, shape policy, and drive real-world impact in health.
About the opportunity
The Sydney Clinical Trials Centre is seeking an accomplished and visionary Director, NSW Surgical Cancer Trials Capacity & Equity Alliance to lead a landmark new initiative designed to transform the landscape of surgical cancer clinical trials across NSW. Established through a recent grant from Cancer Institute NSW (CINSW), the Alliance will bring together health services, universities, research institutes, professional societies, government, consumers and community organisations to build a connected, trial-ready statewide network and strengthen the capacity to design, activate and deliver high-quality surgical cancer clinical trials.
The NSW Surgical Cancer Trials Capacity & Equity Alliance is a statewide initiative designed to strengthen infrastructure, workforce, and governance to address the low number of surgical cancer trials (3.4% of registered cancer trials) and improve equitable access to clinical trials for underrepresented populations. The Alliance's vision is to create a coordinated, skilled and equitable statewide system that accelerates high-quality surgical cancer clinical trials and improves outcomes for all people in NSW.
The Alliance will be led by an Executive Leadership Group, with the Director responsible for operational leadership, implementation of the strategic plan, oversight of all workstreams, coordination of statewide activities, management of the Program Office, and delivery of the Alliance’s objectives.
As Director, you will provide the strategic leadership required to establish and grow the Alliance, setting its direction, developing strong governance and partnerships, and driving a portfolio of initiatives spanning multicentre clinical trials, research capability, workforce development, innovation, knowledge translation and equitable access to cancer clinical trials. A key focus will be building collaboration across metropolitan, regional and rural NSW, strengthening research capability and enabling greater workforce mobility, knowledge exchange and access to shared expertise and infrastructure. Further, you will work closely with the Alliance Executive Leadership Group and internationally recognised clinical trials and research leaders, including Professor David Beard and Professor Daniel Steffens , with the opportunity to help facilitate and expand on their research practices. You will champion meaningful consumer engagement and partnerships with Aboriginal communities and organisations, ensuring equity and accessibility are embedded in the design and delivery of the Alliance.
This is an opportunity to shape a new statewide model for surgical cancer clinical trials, working at the intersection of research, healthcare, policy and innovation. With the scope to influence clinical practice and research priorities across NSW, you will play a pivotal role in building sustainable capability and creating better opportunities for patients to participate in world-class surgical cancer research.
Your key responsibilities will be to:
Provide strategic leadership for the establishment and delivery of the NSW Surgical Cancer Trials Capacity & Equity Alliance , developing project plans, governance frameworks, performance measures and implementation strategies to achieve the Alliance’s objectives.
Build and lead a statewide surgical cancer trials network , fostering collaboration across health services, universities, research institutes, professional societies, government agencies, consumers and community organisations to strengthen capacity and accelerate the delivery of high-quality surgical cancer trials.
Lead the development and coordination of a strategic portfolio of multicentre surgical cancer trials and research initiatives , supporting research prioritisation, trial methodology and protocol development, surgical innovation, early-phase studies and the translation of research into clinical practice and policy.
Drive the development of statewide cancer trials capability and workforce capacity , establishing education, training and mentoring programs, supporting emerging research leaders and strengthening research capability across metropolitan, regional and rural NSW.
Embed equity, consumer engagement and inclusive research practices across the Alliance , partnering with Aboriginal communities and organisations and improving participation and accessibility for culturally and linguistically diverse, regional and other underserved communities.
Oversee Alliance governance, resources, financial management, risk, performance and stakeholder reporting , leading a multidisciplinary team and ensuring effective deployment of people, funding, technology and shared infrastructure to deliver sustainable, high-impact outcomes.
About you
Postgraduate qualifications in a relevant field, including clinical research, health sciences, public health, medicine, allied health or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience.
You are an accomplished strategic leader with substantial experience managing complex clinical research, clinical trials or health-related programs, ideally within a surgical clinical trials environment.
You bring demonstrated expertise in leading large, complex projects and translating strategic priorities into practical delivery plans, with strong capability in governance, risk management, performance monitoring and resource optimisation.
You are an influential and collaborative stakeholder leader, with the ability to build productive partnerships across health services, research institutions, government, professional bodies, consumers and community organisations at a statewide, national and international level.
You have proven experience leading and developing multidisciplinary teams, managing significant human and financial resources, and exercising sound judgement, initiative and discretion when making strategic decisions.
You are an exceptional communicator and strategic thinker who can navigate complexity, identify opportunities, influence diverse stakeholders and drive sustainable improvements in surgical clinical trials capacity, equity and research impact across NSW.
Sponsorship / work rights for Australia
You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to be eligible to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.
Pre-employment checks and declarations
Your employment is conditional upon the successful completion of all pre-employment or background checks required for the role in terms satisfactory to the University. Also, to meet the University’s obligations under the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Eliminate Gender-Based Violence you will be asked to declare if you have been investigated for, or found to engaged in, sexual harm or gender-based violence in the course of previous employment or in a legal process. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.
As this position is located on an NSW Health site, it is a regulatory requirement to complete compulsory employment checks prior to starting in this position. For more information and instructions, please visit: NSW Health employment requirements (Category B).
This position is designated as involving child-related work. To undertake or remain in this position, you are required to apply for and obtain a Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.
EEO statement
At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion , evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People , women , people living with a disability , people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds , and those who identify as LGBTQIA+ . We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.
We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Platinum Employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion .
How to apply
Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page.
For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard. Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.
For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or any documents in alternate formats, please contact Roshik Prasad, Recruitment Operations by email to [email protected]
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Applications Close
Wednesday 26 August 2026 11:59 PM
