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Central Adelaide Local Health Network

Statewide – SA Pathology

• MeS6B $170,363 p.a. (pro-rata) + Superannuation & Salary Sacrifice Benefits
• Location:  Adelaide CBD
• Full Time, Temporary 3 Year Contract Available Role

About the role

As the Director of Research and Innovation (Governance & Strategy), you will play a pivotal leadership role in shaping the strategic direction, governance, and performance of SA Pathology’s research portfolio. Providing expert leadership to the Clinical Service Director and Executive Director, you will establish and operationalise a contemporary, integrated Research & Innovation capability, embed a Research Charter, and implement a Governance Framework with clear accountability, decision-making pathways, and measurable outcomes.

Working collaboratively across disciplines, you will drive implementation of an integrated research operating model that ensures robust governance and connects strategy, delivery, compliance, and assurance. You will lead the optimisation of governance structures, establishing clear roles, responsibilities, and decision rights while strengthening risk, ethics, and compliance systems to ensure alignment with regulatory requirements and best practice standards.

You will champion a culture of innovation and collaboration, fostering strategic partnerships with government, academia, and industry to identify, develop, and commercialise new discoveries. As an influential leader and change agent, you will position SA Pathology as a research partner of choice, strengthening its national and global reputation for excellence in scientific advancement. Through strong governance, strategic foresight, and a focus on innovation and commercial opportunity, you will enable SA Pathology to deliver world-class research that informs policy, practice, and system-wide improvement.

About You

You are a strategic and transformative research leader with a strong background in medical science and a proven ability to drive innovation, governance reform, and organisational change within complex research environments. With experience leading multidisciplinary teams and fostering partnerships across academia, industry and government, you demonstrate both strategic insight and operational expertise. You are an engaging communicator, an effective problem-solver, and a passionate advocate for advancing clinical research that delivers real-world health outcomes.

In this role, you will bring:

•   Qualifications & Professional Background

Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Laboratory Science) or equivalent; supported by extensive experience leading government translational and commercial research programs.

•   Strategic Leadership & Transformation

Demonstrated experience leading research transformation through governance reform and operating model design, develop project plans and timelines, and engage diverse stakeholders with vision and influence.

  •   Governance, Risk & Compliance

Strong expertise in research governance, financial and contract management, regulatory compliance, and ethical frameworks, with a proven ability to define decision-making structures, accountabilities, and assurance processes.

•   Collaboration & Influence

Highly developed communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills, with demonstrated ability to build and sustain cross-sector partnerships and experience embedding research into clinical and operational practice.

About us

Statewide Clinical Support Services (SCSS) is a unique public healthcare organisation that serves health consumers and provides specialist clinical services to the health system in South Australia. SCSS encompasses BreastScreen SA, SA Dental, SA Medical Imaging, SA Pathology, and SA Pharmacy. Come and work with us to improve the health and well-being of South Australians, across all age groups and at any time of their life or health need.

What we offer

• Salary Benefits: Enjoy flexible salary packaging options, including up to $9,010 each FBT year for living expenses (such as mortgage, rent, utilities and groceries) plus an additional $2,650 for meal and entertainment expenses.
• Professional Development: Opportunity to apply for reimbursement of eligible professional development activities, and access to dedicated leave for ongoing learning.
• Annual Leave: Enjoy paid recreation leave for essential rejuvenation, with leave loading applied.
• Health and Fitness Benefits: Access to Fitness Passport, a discounted workplace health and fitness program for you and your family, plus an annual voluntary flu vaccination to support your wellbeing.
• Employee Assistance Program: Confidential counselling and support services for you and your family via our Employee Assistance Program.

Diversity and inclusion:

Statewide supports and fosters a culture in which employees feel they belong and feel safe at work. The culture aims to encourage all people to use their talents and to be valued and rewarded for their contributions.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants are encouraged to apply. 

Application Information:

• Please refer to the role description for essential educational/vocational qualifications that may be required.
• Appointment will be subject to a satisfactory Criminal History Check and compliant Immunisation screening as indicated in the role description.
• SA Health Services are required to implement the Addressing vaccine preventable disease: Occupational assessment, screening and vaccination policy in the workplace.

Please note that unsolicited applications from recruitment agencies or third parties will not be accepted for this position. 

Job ref: 943929

Enquiries to:

Kristie Black, Executive Services Coordinator

Phone: 8222 3913

E-mail: kristie.black@sa.gov.au

Application Closing Date

11:55 pm Tuesday 7^th July 2026

Attachments

 943929 Director of Research and Innovation Role Description.pdf

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