Theme Head

We are seeking highly motivated individuals with demonstrated senior leadership experience, who can bring their strategic planning, business development and stakeholder management skills and expertise in social sciences.

The Theme Head will play an instrumental role in leading the achievement of complex research projects, providing strategic leadership to drive the Institute’s research agenda.

About us

The Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS, or ‘the Institute’) is the Australian Government's key research advisory agency in the area of family wellbeing. It is an independent statutory authority established in 1980 under the Family Law Act 1975. It is also home to the Australian Gambling Research Centre (AGRC), established under the Gambling Measures Act 2012 which builds the evidence base on gambling-related harm. The Institute is an agency within the portfolio of the Department of Social Services (DSS).

AIFS’ approach to research is applied and policy relevant, coming from a tradition of social science and strengthened by our multidisciplinary expertise. We draw together expertise from a broad range of disciplines including sociology, psychology, social work, economics, political science, demography, law, public health and data science. Our research is generated through a combination of AIFS initiated and commissioned projects.

Our AIFS initiated and led research allows us to respond to critical trends and emerging issues for families in Australia and contribute independent insights to inform policy and practice.

Our commissioned research for government departments and agencies addresses specific policy questions and program needs, drawing on our multidisciplinary research expertise and methodological rigour.

About our Themes

As a Theme Head at AIFS, you will be expected to demonstrate deep policy and research expertise in one of the Institute’s key research areas, depending on the theme you are applying for.

Research Themes

- Child and Family Wellbeing

- Child and Family Safety

- Families and Society

- Gambling Harm

AIFS has a secondary function under the Gambling Measures Act 2012.

Enabled under Family Law Act 1975, AIFS is the leading institution for family studies in Australia.

Position Requirements

The Theme Head is a senior research leadership role responsible for the strategic and scientific direction of a designated research theme at AIFS. This role ensures the delivery of high‑quality, policy‑relevant evidence that informs government decision‑making and contributes to improved outcomes for children, families, and communities.

The Theme Head sets the vision for the theme, leads strategic planning, and ensures alignment with AIFS’s Strategic Research Agenda. They are accountable for the coherence, innovation, and impact of research within the theme, and contribute to cross‑theme collaboration and strategic initiatives.

This role involves managing senior researchers and research teams, fostering a collaborative and high‑performing research culture, and supporting career development. The Theme Head actively engages with senior government officials and external stakeholders to influence policy and translate research into practice.

Strong commercial acumen and business development capabilities are essential, including leading large‑scale funding proposals, identifying strategic opportunities, and building partnerships that support the Institute’s long‑term objectives.

The Theme Head maintains an active research profile and contributes to the scientific leadership of AIFS. This includes active networking and promotion of AIFS work both in person as well as through key channels such as LinkedIn.

Key Responsibilities of the position

Strategic Leadership

- Leads specific theme strategy and sets vision and direction for this area.

- Works collectively with other Theme Heads and leaders of our longitudinal studies to:

- Lead the AIFS Strategic Research Agenda, jointly considering all current and future research work to ensure it aligns to AIFS priorities

- Configure and lead multi‑disciplinary teams from across the theme streams as required to progress research and evidence projects

- Champion a collective capability mindset that enables a OneAIFS approach to all work

Policy Engagement

- Provides expert analysis of policy environment as relevant to their Theme to inform strategic direction of work.

- Displays policy‑relevant research leadership and consulting‑style responsiveness to government needs.

- Liaises, consults and negotiates with counterparts in Government, sector and other groups in policy areas relevant to the research theme.

Research Excellence and Innovation

- Designs and directs high‑quality, policy‑relevant research and evidence projects that align with the Strategic Research Agenda.

- Ensures research quality and innovation.

- Works closely with other Theme Heads to ensure a coherent style and approach to all research products.

Operational Oversight

- Works closely with other Theme Heads and leaders of our longitudinal studies and the Executive Leadership Team.

- Oversees theme‑level operations and scientific quality, with ultimate accountability for ensuring projects run to time, cost and quality requirements.

- Ensures consistent use of project management tools and templates by teams so that all research projects across AIFS are undertaken to the same standards.

- Maintains expert knowledge in relevant areas and provides advice and technical expertise to guide project and program activities.

- Collaborate with the AIFS Privacy Team to incorporate privacy practices into all work.

Stakeholder Engagement

- Represents theme externally; builds partnerships by communicating the strategic direction and vision of the Institute to stakeholders.

- Complex stakeholder engagement resolving conflict and managing sensitivities.

Business Development

- Represents theme externally; builds partnerships.

- Leads large‑scale tenders and proposals.

- Manages strategic business development aligned with organisational and government priorities.

- Builds business development from initial leads and/or existing work.

- Manages senior researchers; builds team culture.

- Deep knowledge of the policy environment for the relevant Strategic Research Agenda theme.

- Demonstrated experience in leading strategic, policy‑relevant research or evidence.

- Strong strategic planning and leadership skills.

- Proven ability to lead and build high‑performing teams.

- Experience in business development.

- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

- Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and culturally safe practices.

For a comprehensive overview of the Essential Criteria, please see the Job Description for more information.

Position Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for engagement, applicants must be Australian citizens unless special approval is granted in exceptional circumstances. For example, applicants with permanent resident status who have applied for Australian citizenship may be considered for engagement.

Conditions of engagement including probation, health and character clearances (including police records check, Working with Children Check and security clearance) may apply to this position.

Terms

The Theme Head position may be offered as a full‑time ongoing role at the EL2 level. This will be with an annual salary range of between $137,125 to $160,757 depending on the skills and experience of the successful candidate, plus 15.4% superannuation. Our salaries and conditions of employment are set out in our Enterprise Agreement.

For your application to be considered, please:

1. Complete the Application Form.

2. Provide a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) pitch telling us why you are the best person for the job by outlining your skills, knowledge and experience against the 'Key Responsibilities' and 'Essential Criteria' – refer to the Job Description and Job Pack.

3. Please indicate which of the following Research themes you are applying for on your application:

- Child and Family Wellbeing

- Child and Family Safety

- Families and Society

Applications for this position close at 11.59 PM on 26 November 2025.

AIFS is committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, mature age people, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, and people with parenting and/or caring responsibilities.

We provide a collaborative and family-friendly work environment that supports the wellbeing and professional development of our diverse workforce. Benefits include workplace health and wellbeing initiatives and events, a hybrid flexible work arrangement policy, a good health promotion allowance and Christmas closedown period with no deduction from leave credits.

The National Indigenous Times acknowledges and pays respect to past and present Traditional Custodians and Elders of this nation. We recognise Aboriginal Community's continuing connection to their lands, waters and stories and acknowledge that sovereignty has never been ceded.

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