Job Description

Acknowledgement of Country

CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View our vision towards reconciliation

Role highlights

• Lead critical business operations and transition planning for the SKA-Low Telescope in Australia.
• Coordinate business enabling services across CSIRO and SKAO in a complex, global collaboration.
• Based in Perth or Geraldton, help shape the operational future of one of the world’s most ambitious science projects.

About CSIRO

As Australia's national science agency, CSIRO is solving the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. Many of our iconic innovations were once considered impossible until someone, just like you, joined us and took on the challenge.

Visit CSIRO.au for more information.

The opportunity

CSIRO is seeking a Business Manager to support the successful delivery and operation of the SKA-Low Telescope in Australia. In this pivotal role, you will coordinate key business enabling functions, lead critical operational projects, and help strengthen the collaboration between CSIRO and the SKA Observatory as the telescope transitions from construction to operations.

Working across Perth and Geraldton, you will play a central role in aligning finance, HR, communications, administration and facilities support to operational priorities, while also overseeing the transition of SKA-Low into long-term operations through to the Operational Readiness Review. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a globally significant science initiative and work at the intersection of research infrastructure, international collaboration and organisational leadership.

Your high-level duties will include:

• Lead and coordinate special projects, including the transition of SKA-Low from construction to operations through to the Operational Readiness Review.
• Coordinate business enabling functions across finance, HR, communications, administration and facilities to support SKA-Low priorities.
• Support effective collaboration between CSIRO and SKAO by implementing aligned ways of working, policies and processes.
• Oversee the SKA-Low property portfolio in Perth and Geraldton to ensure facilities meet operational needs.
• Line manage CSIRO-employed business enabling staff and contribute as a proactive member of the SKA-Low management team.

Role particulars

Location and office arrangements: Perth or Geraldton, Western Australia

Salary: CSOF6 – AU$135,571 to AU$158,863 per annum, plus 15.4% superannuation

Tenure & work schedule:Indefinite – Full-time

Reference: 103067

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

Essential criteria

1. A minimum of an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline such as Business, Finance, Human Resources, Engineering, Science, or similar fields; or compelling equivalent professional experience.
2. Proven ability to lead operational and business activities within a collaboration, joint venture, or partnership, and expert-level influencing skills.
3. Strong line management experience including performance management, recruitment, capability planning, and management of change.
4. Demonstrated ability to define strategy, think critically, and proactively manage challenges in complex or ambiguous situations.
5. Experience maintaining a high-performance culture with an emphasis on integrating Health, Safety and Environment and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion into business processes.

Desirable

1. Experience in project management with a proven track record of successfully managing timelines, budgets, and risks.
2. A Master of Business Administration or a similar postgraduate qualification, or comparable professional experience.
3. Understanding of health and safety principles, risk management, and incident response protocols.
4. Experience working with international teams and aligning business practices across multiple regions.

For full details about this role, including all duties and additional requirements, please review the

Not sure if you meet all the criteria?

While it is CSIRO policy that the successful candidate must meet all the essential criteria, there are many ways to demonstrate this. Don’t let the list discourage you. If you are unsure about applying, please reach out to the contact person in the Position Description.

Setting you up for success

We are committed to providing a recruitment process that is fair, equitable and accessible to everyone. We recognise that it may be helpful for us to adjust our process to make it equitable for your individual situation. Please contact Wade.Barker@csiro.au let us know how we can support you.

Life at CSIRO and flexible work arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. We can discuss flexible work arrangements with you during the recruitment process. CSIRO also offers a range of leave entitlements, benefits and career development opportunities. To find out more, visit Careers at CSIRO

Inclusion and belonging

Solving Australia's greatest challenges takes a diversity of minds and lived experiences. We know diverse teams are more effective and deliver more innovative outcomes. As an equal employment opportunity organisation, we are committed to creating diverse and inclusive teams where people feel they belong. We recognise true diversity encompasses all ages, abilities, cultures, faiths, levels of education, genders, sexualities, diversity of thought and much more. We focus on hiring people who share our values of People First, Further Together, Making it Real and Trusted.

CSIRO holds Gold Status for the Australian Workplace Equality Index for LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and a Science in Australia Gender Equity Bronze Award.

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to Australian Citizens, New Zealand Citizens and Australian Permanent Residents. Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

Child safety

CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View our Child Safe Policy

How to apply

Please apply online and submit a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) and CV that demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the essential requirements of this role.

Applications close

Sunday 26 July 2026, 9:00pm (WA) or 11:00pm AEST