Executive Officer

Western Alliance Academic Health Science Centre – Warrnambool VIC Western Alliance (westernalliance.org.au) is a collaborative of 11 member organisations located across the Barwon/Southwest and Grampians regions of western Victoria and is formally accredited by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) as a Research Translation Centre. Members include five regional and subregional public health services (Barwon Health, Grampians Health, South West Healthcare, Portland District Health and Western District Health Service), four rural public hospitals (Colac Area Health, Maryborough District Health Service and East Grampians Health Service), the Western Victoria Primary Health Network and Deakin and Federation Universities. The two regions have a combined population of over 700,000 residents or approximately 44% of rural/regional Victoria’s population. The Alliance is a Company Limited by Guarantee overseen by a Board, which includes representatives of partner organisations and external members appointed on the basis of relevant knowledge and skills. The Western Alliance Research Translation Committee, which reports to the Board, comprises clinical, research and consumer leaders from Western Alliance member organisations. Guided by a three-year strategic plan, Western Alliance’s mission is to support its members to improve the health of their communities through research-based and evidence informed health care. Western Alliance has developed comprehensive systems across western Victoria to support the translation of evidence into healthcare practice and policy. This is underpinned by four rurally based Research Translation Coordinator positions, who have direct responsibility for supporting research and knowledge translation in their regions. To date, Western Alliance has provided direct funding of over $3 million to 76 collaborative, rurally focused research studies and $265,000 for rural research fellowships. Western Alliance has also provided financial contributions to 13 health service research projects funded by the MRFF or NHMRC, bringing in a total of over $26 million for translational research in western Victoria. The Alliance is the lead organisation for the $9.1 million MRFF funded ‘DELIVER’ program, (Delivering enhanced healthcare at home through optImising virtual tools for older people in rural and regional Australia) The Alliance also delivers an extensive translation focused research capacity building program (STaRR – Supporting Translation of Research in Rural and Regional areas) across western Victoria, which includes a comprehensive mentored research training program. Western Alliance works closely with Commonwealth and State governments, with other Research Translation Centres through the Victorian Research Translation Centre Collaborative (VRTCC) and the Australian Health Research Alliance (AHRA), and with a range of external stakeholders, including the Australian Clinical Trials Education Centre (A-CTEC), and the Victorian Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Organization (VACCHO). About Deakin University Deakin is a Victorian university with a global impact. We are agile and innovative, and committed to making a positive impact through our excellence in education and research and the contributions we make to the wider community. Our reputation has been built on the dedication and expertise of our staff. We offer a dynamic, diverse and inclusive working environment with opportunities to grow and develop careers. We believe that a progressive, thriving culture will ensure people choose to come, and stay at Deakin and contribute to our ongoing success. Position Purpose The Executive Officer will provide high level support and advice to the Executive Director, and will be responsible for Western Alliance’s day-to-day operations, financial management, communications and staffing. They will manage the Alliance’s key operational activities, with the support of the Administrative Officer. The Executive Officer will work closely with Alliance members across western Victoria and will develop and maintain relationships with internal and external partners. The role reports directly to the Executive Director. The Executive Officer will play an integral role as part of a team dedicated to improving community health and wellbeing, by supporting Western Alliance member organisations to generate translational research and apply research evidence in their practice. The Executive Officer will work in partnership across the region with various leaders and teams to deliver shared objectives and collective success. Key Duties Contribute to fostering a culture of collaboration, adaptability and continuous improvement. Provide advice to the Board, Research Translation Committee and member organisations to improve the quality, quantity and impact of research in western Victoria. Build and maintain strong relationships with partner organisations, government and non-government agencies, and research institutes to maximise collaboration. Oversee clear and effective stakeholder and community communication. Support effective governance, planning, and implementation of Western Alliance programs and partnerships, ensuring transparency, accountability, and timely decision-making. Evaluate and communicate the impact of Western Alliance initiatives on research capability building and research translation efforts in health settings across western Victoria. Support Western Alliance’s annual research funding programs, including support for project development, proposal review, funding allocation, expenditure monitoring, and reporting of project outcomes. Provide operational support for key Western Alliance programs, including the Supporting Translation of Research in Rural and Regional Health Settings (STaRR) program, the Research Translation Coordinator Program, research translation funding programs, the Western Alliance Symposium, the Consumer and Community Involvement program, and efforts to advance Aboriginal-led research translation across western Victoria. Represent Western Alliance on the Victorian Research Translation Centre Collaborative (VRTCC) and the Australian Health Research Alliance (AHRA) and its Rural, Regional and Remote subcommittee. Support efforts to maintain accreditation as a Research Translation Centre with the NHMRC. Develop and manage the Alliance’s annual budget and resource allocation to ensure key performance indicators are met. Ensure compliance with all relevant legislative requirements, including those relating to company reporting, research governance, equal opportunity, and occupational health and safety. Supervise administrative staff. Oversee communication with partners, stakeholders and the community. Accountabilities Distil the core issues from complex information and draw accurate conclusions and present logical arguments that address the core issues. Condense complex information and next steps into simple concise terms that others can understand. Draw on a diverse range of people, groups and resources to identify new ways of doing things and use knowledge of innovation principles to analyse current processes and practices. Establish and demonstrate a high level of learning, energy and commitment and welcome feedback from others and use this feedback to improve learning. Prioritise work and critical activities, evaluate progress, identify relevant solutions and select the most appropriate from the range of alternatives. Challenge existing processes by formulating creative and inclusive alternative solutions and benefits. Identify situations in which change is needed and understand and communicate the reasons for the change. Implement change through appropriate channels and overcome obstacles to change. Give balanced, constructive feedback that takes into