Executive Officer (AS927)

The Organisation

The Royal Melbourne Hospital Neuroscience Foundation stands as Australia’s premier neuroscience research powerhouse, transforming lives through groundbreaking “lab-to-patient” research since 1992. With over $119 million raised and hundreds of active research projects, they have pioneered world-changing innovations, including revolutionary stroke clot-retrieval procedures, Australia’s first Mobile Stroke Unit, and breakthrough blood tests for early dementia and brain tumour detection.

Situated within the vibrant Melbourne Biomedical Precinct at The Royal Melbourne Hospital—home to Australia’s busiest neurosurgical and neurological unit—the Foundation is at an exciting pivot point. We are seeking a visionary leader to drive the next phase of growth, expanding a $10 million revenue base while elevating their global profile in the fight against brain disease.

The Role and Responsibilities
This is a unique opportunity to lead a world-renowned neuroscience foundation through transformational change. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, you’ll provide strategic leadership while managing day-to-day operations of 50-100 active research projects spanning stroke, brain tumours, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Strategic Leadership – Setting foundation direction and driving innovative research initiatives
• Financial Stewardship – Overseeing clinical trial finances and budget management across multiple projects
• Team Development – Leading foundation staff and supporting researchers
• Stakeholder Engagement – Building relationships with funding bodies, donors, and research partners
• Fundraising Growth – Expanding untied funding streams and donor engagement opportunities
• Operational Excellence – Implementing new systems and processes to enhance research management
• Partnership Building – Leveraging collaborations within the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct

The Person
We’re seeking an entrepreneurial leader who thrives on both big-picture strategy and operational detail. You’ll bring strong strategic and general management skills, with tertiary qualifications in finance, health sciences, medical administration, or research management. Your demonstrated leadership experience, budget management expertise, and innovative mindset will be essential as you navigate this unique hospital-based foundation environment.

The ideal candidate will possess exceptional stakeholder management abilities, problem-solving acumen, and the vision to reimagine how the RMHNF operates. Experience in clinical research, not-for-profit sector knowledge, and understanding of medical research environments would be highly valued.

Above all, you’ll be committed to “The Melbourne Way”—putting people first, leading with kindness, and achieving excellence together.

The Rewards
Join an organisation where your leadership will directly impact millions of lives affected by brain disease globally. You’ll work alongside world-leading neurologists, neurosurgeons, and neuroscientists in Australia’s most dynamic medical research precinct, with the autonomy to shape the foundation’s future direction.
This role offers competitive remuneration, comprehensive transition support from the outgoing Executive Officer, and the opportunity to lead meaningful change in an established organisation ready for innovation.
  
  
If you have the experience and desired growth mindset to lead this organisation we invite you to apply. Please visit https://brookerconsulting.com.au/position-description/ to view the Position Profile and upload your CV (in Word format) to apply by Monday, August 25. Alternatively, feel free to call Leighton Cantrill at 0493 827 145 or Barry Vienet on 0427 406 325  for a confidential discussion.