The University of Auckland is Aotearoa’s leading university with 9,000 staff supporting more than 46,000 students to achieve their ambitions. As one of New Zealand’s most enduring brands, the University leads the way in teaching excellence and research positively impacting the lives of its people, communities and society at large.

Ko te whare Pūtaiao | The Faculty of Science brings together 10 diverse schools and departments to provide outstanding quality teaching and research opportunities. Being the leading science Faculty in New Zealand and is one of the largest in Australasia, it undertakes world-class research across the physical, biological, and computational sciences. More than 8,000 students’ study in our schools and departments, learning from internationally renowned lecturers.  We strive to provide a Faculty that reflects the demographics of our student base and Aotearoa. Our staff and students can connect with our: Rainbow and Women in Science networks, Parenting support, our Waipapa Marae and our flagship Tuākana Māori and Pacific support programme.

Our mission and values place a strong emphasis on both our student body and our scholarly community, and we work with both community and enterprise to advance the well-being of the peoples of Auckland and New Zealand, with a clear commitment to pursuing sustainability.

We have an exciting opportunity to join The Faculty of Science as Research Services Manager.

The Research Services Manager (RSM) is a key member of the professional staff leadership team within the Faculty of Science. You will work in partnership to lead the effective planning and delivery of strategic research support service operations across the Faculty.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategy and Planning: Leading, developing, and implementing Faculty research services strategies and plans. Contributing to the development, planning, and implementation of research plans, performance, and funding targets.
• Staff Leadership: Providing strong leadership and direction for all Research Programme Managers and professional staff in research services, fostering a culture of collaboration, agility, simplicity, engagement, and empowerment.
• Operational Activities: Managing the provision of research support services, including pre and post-award advice. Providing oversight and support to research centres hosted within the faculty, ensuring alignment with the research services function. Advising on effective allocation of research service support and leading the adoption of quality service standards for research support.
• Research Development and Pre-Award Support: Developing the capability pipeline in partnership with Academic Leaders, overseeing research initiatives and workshops to maximise funding success, and identifying cross-faculty, national, and international research collaboration opportunities.
• Project Management (Post-Award) Support: Overseeing the requirements for post-award support, ensuring resolution and mitigation strategies for project delivery and financial issues, and representing the Faculty on University-wide projects.
• Strategic Guidance and Support: Delivering guidance and support to the faculty on strategic research initiatives for current and future growth, ensuring consistency in pre-award and post-award processes across the faculty, and contributing to institutional initiatives on behalf of the faculty.

For more information, please see Position Description

This is a full-time role, 37.5 hours per week. The ideal salary range is $125,000-$142,000 per annum, depending on experience and qualifications. For more details, please refer to the Position Description.

You are a strategic thinker with strong analytical skills, capable of aligning with the Faculty of Science’s broader objectives and driving the successful implementation of key initiatives. Ideally, you bring experience from the tertiary education sector, particularly within research services, which equips you with a solid understanding of academic environments and research operations.

Given the varied scope of the RSM role, you’ll work closely with a wide range of stakeholders—leveraging your ability to build strong relationships quickly, navigate complex environments, and influence outcomes. You are a proactive, solutions-focused professional who actively seeks opportunities to innovate and collaborate, identifying ways to bring value to the faculty through new initiatives and process improvements.

You take time to understand the intricacies of how people, roles, and systems operate within the faculty and are driven to make those connections work more effectively. Your well-developed people leadership skills help create and sustain a high-performing, forward-thinking, and service-oriented team culture.

Important Skills:

• Relationship Building: Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to think strategically and align initiatives with the overarching goals of the Faculty.
• Innovation: Proactive and innovative mindset, always seeking opportunities to improve and co-create.
• Adaptability: Flexibility to adapt to different environments and manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Communication: Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and concisely.
• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make informed decisions and implement effective solutions.

We offer you more than just a job. We offer you the opportunity to be part of a dynamic, world-class educational institution.

We proudly provide an environment that will enable you and rewards hard work. We provide benefits and support throughout your career to help you develop and grow.

We are committed to providing a supportive working environment through:

• Up to 6.75% company superannuation scheme
• A competitive salary with five weeks of annual leave. With the option to buy and sell additional leave.
• Flexible employment practices. Including partial working from home and adaptive working hours.
• A generous and inclusive parental leave policy.

In addition, we offer career development programmes, discounted car parking, on-site childcare options, leisure and recreation facilities, and a number of other discounted products and services.

For more information, please visit Staff Benefits.

Hear more about making Worlds of Difference in your career at the University, our partnership with Māori, our Te Ao Māori principles, our impact, our staff and life in Auckland on our careers website