Lead the strategic operations of Macquarie University's Clinical Trials Unit delivering sustainable growth, high impact clinical research outcomes, stakeholder satisfaction, and enterprise governance and compliance.
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Attractive senior salary package negotiable including 17% superannuation
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Five year, full time contract (renewable)
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Macquarie University, Wallumattagal Campus, North Ryde
Shape the future of clinical research, by enabling access to life-changing treatments and lead a high-performing Clinical Trials Unit that makes a global impact
Macquarie University's Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences (FMHHS) is seeking an exceptional clinical trials leader to head our Clinical Trials Unit (CTU). This is an exciting opportunity to provide strategic leadership across the full lifecycle of clinical trial operations across a number of disease modalities, and to enable high-quality, compliant trials that provide patients with access to state-of-the-art therapies.
The CTU is an enterprise-level business unit within Macquarie University Health, an integrated academic-led health sciences enterprise incorporating Macquarie University Hospital and its primary and specialty clinics, labs, imaging and pharmacy, together with the academic excellence in teaching and research of the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences (FMHHS). The CTU is responsible for delivering several-hundred concurrent sponsored and investigator-initiated Phase I to IV trials across a number of therapeutic areas that align with the clinical strengths of Macquarie University Health. As Head of Clinical Trials, you will provide strategic and operational leadership of the CTU, ensuring Macquarie remains a clinical trial site of choice with sponsors, partners and researchers.
If you are motivated by impactful research, leading and empowering high-performing staff and teams to succeed in a complex and high-pressure environment, and establishing and maintaining strategic partnerships, we would welcome your application.
About the Role
Reflecting the enterprise nature of the CTU within Macquarie University Health, this role has a dual reporting line to the CEO of MQ Health and the Dean of Medicine (FMHHS). It will work in conjunction with the Clinical Director of the Clinical Trials Unit and is a senior leadership role that will provide strategic leadership in the design, development and execution of all aspects of clinical trial operations including oversight over governance, regulatory, trials quality, commercial and financial performance.
Key responsibilities include:
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Design and implement a business strategy that maintains high-quality trials delivery together with sustainable revenue growth through ensuring that the University is a clinical trial site of choice
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Provide and role model executive leadership that models high performance, promotes, and enhances an exemplary and cohesive team culture focused on growth, longevity and continuous improvement.
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Establish and directly oversee the identification and assessment of potential trials opportunities and bring a strong commercial perspective to contract negotiations with investigators, clients and/or sponsors.
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Establish and develop deep, collaborative relationships with external stakeholders, principal investigators, and sponsors to identify partnership opportunities in alignment with CTU and Macquarie University Health strategy.
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Primary responsibility for managing a $30-50M budget, and review and critically evaluate financial performance to inform decisions about resource allocation with an enterprise perspective.
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Foster and maintain a high performing, values led culture with strong engagement, clarity of role accountabilities, and opportunities for staff development.
About Us
The Faculty of Medicine, Health & Human Sciences is ambitiously pushing the boundaries of progressive thinking and challenging what is possible to solve some of the big issues of our time, both nationally and on a global scale. The Faculty forms part of Macquarie University Health, an integrated academic health sciences enterprise which incorporates Macquarie University Hospital and primary and speciality clinics together with significant research strengths in cancer, neurosciences, hearing sciences, health systems, e-health and patient safety.
The Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) is an enterprise asset straddling the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences (FMHHS) at Macquarie University and MQ Health Pty Ltd. The clinical trial investigators supported by the CTU are all affiliated with Macquarie Medical School and Macquarie University Hospital and run patient clinics through MQ Health. Laboratory services, imaging and a pharmacy are all on campus in close proximity to support clinical trials and support providing patients with access to state-of-the-art treatments. The CTU supports sponsored and investigator-initiated Phase I to IV trials across multiple therapeutic areas with multiple Principal Investigators.
This position is responsible for strategic leadership and directing the operational activities of the CTU. This includes responsibility for >110 staff, with direct line-management responsibility for >10 Senior Managers and Team Leaders. The scale of business activities has grown 20-30% year-on-year between 2022-2025, with similar growth anticipated in 2026.
About You
You are an accomplished clinical trials professional who brings vision and operational expertise to onsite clinical trial delivery. You build effective stakeholder partnerships, guide diverse teams and navigate complex regulatory environments with care and precision. You wish to lead a dynamic, rapidly growing professional clinical trial unit while maintaining superior international standing.
Selection Criteria
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Postgraduate qualification in life sciences, health sciences, or a related discipline; or equivalent senior expertise developed through extensive relevant experience.
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Extensive executive leadership experience in clinical trials and/or related health research or healthcare sectors, with demonstrated accountability for enterprise-level outcomes.
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Strong commercial acumen with experience managing multi-million dollar budgets, grants and complex stakeholder contracts.
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Demonstrated experience establishing and maintaining clinical trial governance, safety, and quality systems, including accreditation standards (e.g., NSQHC) and audit readiness.
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Ability to lead within complex, matrixed environments and build effective relationships across academic, clinical, corporate and executive stakeholders.
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Outstanding stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills across a broad range of stakeholders including commercial sponsors, funders, clinical investigators, health service providers and consumer groups
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Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare and present business cases, proposals, reports and executive-level presentations for diverse audiences.
How to Apply
To be considered, please apply online with your CV and a cover letter outlining how your experience aligns with the selection criteria (above).
Applications Close: Sunday 16 August 2026
We reserve the right to progress or decline an application prior to the application closing date.
For enquiries, or a confidential conversation about the role please contact Roger Chung, Head of Macquarie Medical School at [email protected] or Sarah Bate, Head of Talent Acquisition at [email protected]
If you're already part of the Macquarie Group (MQ University, U@MQ, MQ Health, MGSM), you'll need to apply through your employee Workday account.
Why Join Us?
Macquarie is a university engaged with the real and often complex problems and opportunities that define our lives. Since our foundation over 60 years ago, we have aspired to be a different type of university. Over the years, we have grown to become the centre of a vibrant local and global community. Connect with us today.
We rank amongst the top employers in the Australian Workplace Employers Index. Explore the fantastic benefits available to you when you become part of the team at Macquarie University.
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Flexible, hybrid work arrangements
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17% Superannuation
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Subsidised onsite parking options
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Extensive training and professional development programs
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Onsite childcare facilities to support working parents
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Onsite vacation care during school holidays
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Discounted health insurance
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Subsidised membership at our Sport & Aquatic Centre
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Access to an Employee Assistance Program for free and confidential support
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Convenient onsite GP, imaging, and physiotherapy clinics
Pre-Employment Checks
Macquarie University cultivates a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct, and strong integrity. Prior to completion of an offer of employment, preferred candidates will be required to participate in a combination of pre-employment checks relevant to the role they have applied for.
Your employment is conditional upon the completion and maintenance of all role-required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. (This role requires a Criminal History Check, Working with Children Check and a Good Clinical Practice Certificate.)
If you're already part of the Macquarie Group (MQ University, U@MQ, MQ Health, MGSM), you'll need to apply through your employee Workday account.
Applications Close:
16/08/2026 11:59 PM
A Place Where You Belong
At Macquarie, we believe diversity makes us stronger, inclusion drives our success, and belonging inspires us to do our best work. We are proud to foster a community where different backgrounds, identities, and experiences are valued, and where our people are empowered to thrive through supportive leadership, shared responsibility, and a deep commitment to genuine care and respect for our community. Find out more about our vision for a truly inclusive workplace in our Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Framework.
Flexible Work
At Macquarie, we believe by providing flexibility in when, where and how work is done, we can support our staff to manage their personal commitments, while optimising their work performance and contributions to the University.
