Role Overview

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 in a range 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. It delivers several hundred concurrent sponsored and investigator‑initiated Phase I‑IV trials across multiple therapeutic areas that align with Macquarie University Health’s clinical strengths.

Key Responsibilities

- Design and implement a business strategy that maintains high‑quality trial delivery and sustainable revenue growth, ensuring the University remains a clinical trial site of choice.
- Provide and role‑model executive leadership that promotes an exemplary and cohesive team culture focused on growth, longevity, and continuous improvement.
- Identify and assess potential trial opportunities, bringing a strong commercial perspective to contract negotiations with investigators, clients, and/or sponsors.
- Establish and develop deep, collaborative relationships with external stakeholders, principal investigators, and sponsors to identify partnership opportunities aligned with the CTU and Macquarie University Health strategy.
- Manage a $30‑50 M budget, reviewing and critically evaluating financial performance to inform resource allocation decisions with an enterprise perspective.
- Foster and maintain a high‑performing, values‑led culture with solid engagement, clarity of role accountabilities,



and opportunities for staff development.

Selection Criteria

- Postgraduate qualification in life sciences, health sciences, or a related discipline; or equivalent senior expertise developed through extensive relevant experience.
- Extensive executive leadership experience in clinical trials and/or related health research or healthcare sectors, with demonstrated accountability for enterprise‑level outcomes.
- Strong commercial acumen with experience managing multi‑million dollar budgets, grants and complex stakeholder contracts.
- Demonstrated experience establishing and maintaining clinical trial governance, safety, and quality systems, including accreditation standards (e.g., NSQHC) and audit readiness.
- Ability to lead within complex, matrixed environments and build effective relationships across academic, clinical, corporate and executive stakeholders.
- Outstanding stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills across a broad range of stakeholders including commercial sponsors, funders, clinical investigators, health service providers and consumer groups.
- 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.

Benefits

- Flexible, hybrid work arrangements
- 17% Superannuation
- Subsidised onsite parking options
- Extensive training and professional development programs
- Onsite childcare facilities to support working parents
- Discounted health insurance




- Subsidised membership at our Sport & Aquatic Centre
- Access to an Employee Assistance Program for free and confidential support
- Convenient onsite GP, imaging, and physiotherapy clinics

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. The University reserves the right to progress or decline an application prior to the application closing date. For enquiries or a confidential conversation about the role, contact Roger Chung, Head of Macquarie Medical School, at ••••@mq.edu.au, or Sarah Bate, Head of Talent Acquisition, at ••••@mq.edu.au.

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. Your employment is conditional upon the completion and maintenance of all role‑required pre‑employment or background checks in a manner satisfactory to the University. This role requires a Criminal History Check, Working with Children Check and a Good Clinical Practice Certificate.

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.

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📌 Head of Clinical Trials Unit (City of Sydney)
🏢 @
📍 City of Sydney