Research Funding and Development Manager

Location: Preferably Adelaide but will consider exceptional candidates from other locations

Employment Type: Full-time contract

Remuneration: subject to skills and experience

Employment terms: Initial 1-year contract including 3 months’ probation period

REPORTS TO

Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships Director

Background:

At HILT CRC we are passionate about decarbonisation and following a career path that will make a difference.

We offer a dynamic and truly flexible work environment where you will work with a dedicated head office team that is small enough to make decisions and enact change daily.

The Heavy Industry Low-carbon Transition Cooperative Research Centre (HILT CRC) was established in 2021 and is a 10-year consortium of industry, research organisations, and government agencies. Our mission is to de-risk and accelerate the technology pathways needed by Australia’s hard to abate heavy industry to decarbonise. We have over 60 partners and ~20 cutting edge research projects, designed to solve low-carbon challenges facing the iron ore, steel, alumina and cement sectors.

PRIMARY ROLES

This role is central to advancing HILT CRC’s research agenda, with a primary focus on identifying and supporting new funding opportunities to drive growth and innovation. With significant interest in green metals at the commonwealth and state levels, funding opportunities exist to progress research and innovation in this area. A major component of the position involves securing funding for research and project scale-up, in alignment with the HILT CRC strategy. This includes significant collaboration with HILT CRC partners, and coordination with consultant grant writers to develop and submit competitive funding proposals.

The role will need to work with Project Leaders to inform and assist in positioning project for funding opportunities.

Further, the role supports the upscaling of research to prepare for industry adoption, by working closely with the COO and Research Director. Responsibilities include coordinating project annual and IP reviews and commercialisation workshops in the near term and contributing to the development of a longer-term strategy for the adoption and uptake of our research by industry, targeted for implementation from 2026 onwards.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Securing required funding for research to upscale technology which will ultimately lead to industry adoption, after coordination with HILT’s research director, Program and Project Leaders, the Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships Director, HILT CRC Partners, and with consultant grant writers.
• Identifying and supporting other potential funding opportunities, in line with the HILT CRC strategy
• Work with Project Leaders to inform and assist in positioning projects for funding opportunities
• Work closely with the COO and Research Director to commence work on research development pathways, to allow for industry adoption and uptake of our research. This includes coordination of annual project and IP reviews, commercialisation workshops for relevant projects in the near term and contribution towards a development strategy for implementation in 2026 and beyond.

CANDIDATE SPECIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Demonstrated success in securing multi-millions in research funding through grants and similar mechanisms.
• Highly developed business development skills, ideally within heavy industry.
• Experience in research development, commercialisation, industry uptake of technologies, and knowledge of IP arrangements is highly favorable.
• Experience in academic settings and working with universities on funding proposals and agreements is highly favorable.
• Experience in or exposure to heavy industry or process engineering is highly desirable
• Knowledge in decarbonisation of heavy industry both globally and in Australia is desired.
• Capable of both broad strategic thinking and detailed operational analysis.
• A proven performer with a history of achievement in the timely delivery of measurable outcomes.
• A flexible self-starter with high levels of energy and a problem solver orientation with a commitment to delivering measurable outcomes.
• Relevant business management or engineering qualifications desired.
• High levels of ethics, trust, values and integrity.

RELATIONSHIPS

Internal stakeholder groups include:

• Leadership team (CEO, COO, Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships Director, Research Director, Program Leaders)
• Project Leaders
• HILT CRC Partners across Industry, Research and Government departments

External stakeholders:

• Funding bodies such as the Australian Renewable Energy Agency
• Grant writers
• Other technology & research organisations
• Other CRCs
• Industry organisations, including regional hubs/clusters and councils
• Federal and State Government Departments

APPLY FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY NOW!

Please apply through SEEK with a cover letter that specifically addresses the candidate specifications & experience above plus a current concise resume.

Applications close on Monday 28 July 2025

For further information on HILT CRC, please visit hiltcrc.com.au

HILT CRC brings together global industry, research and governments to develop technologies and de-risk the transition of the iron/steel, alumina, and cement and lime industries to a low-carbon future.