Grants Engagement Manager

Job Category: Business Development and Sales

- $87,000 - $103,000 + Superannuation + Salary Packaging ($15,900.00 + Meal & Entertainment expenses)

- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements

Job Description

About the Institute

Located on the lands of the Bidiagal Clan of the Dharawal Nation (Randwick, NSW), Black Dog Institute is the only Medical Research Institute in Australia to investigate mental health across the full lifespan, our aim is to create a mentally healthier world for everyone. For over 20 years, we have been at the forefront of mental health research and have maintained a reputation as the face of mental health research and treatment in Australia.

Through our unique ‘translational’ research approach, we turn our world-class research into treatments, prevention strategies, clinical services, educational programs, and e-health products. These allow us to continue our work in leading Australia’s population health response, and champion the ongoing conversation of mental health in our society.

Our work is used to distributed through the public and is used to drive evidence informed change across the mental health sector, setting the foundation for a brighter and healthier future for all.

- Hybrid work, 1-2 days per week in office (choose your days, consistent team collaboration days where possible)

- 35 hour work week, flexible hours agreements & 9-day fortnights

- Salary Packaging: $15,900.00 of your base salary tax free & up to $2650.00 meal & entertainment

- Family first, people first culture, we put our research into action at work to make sure we maintain mental health and wellbeing at work

- Pet friendly workplace

- Leave benefits including public holiday swap, gifted annual leave, and wellbeing leave

Desired Skills and Experience

The Role

The Grants Engagement Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management and delivery of the Institute’s grant portfolio across workplace, education, health, and government sectors, as well as grants from philanthropic donors. This role ensures grant-funded programs are delivered effectively, stakeholders are engaged, and operational targets are met. This position plays a key role in implementing and managing grant agreements, providing oversight of budgets, timelines, and reporting requirements, while supporting the Senior Engagement Manager in pipeline development and process improvement

Duties & Responsibilities

Grant Management

- Lead the implementation and management of assigned grants from pipeline to delivery.

- Support the Senior Grants Engagement Manager with the onboarding and setup of new grants, ensuring clear objectives, agreed budgets, activity plans and operational frameworks are established.

- Oversee day-to-day delivery of grant-funded programs, ensuring activities align with agreed outcomes and targets.

- Manage all reporting requirements, including financial acquittals, activity reports, and impact reporting.

- Monitor and track grant performance, risks, and milestones, escalating issues as required.

Stakeholder and Sector Engagement

- Build and maintain strong relationships with external stakeholders including government agencies, corporate partners, education providers, and philanthropic donors.

- Represent BDI at sector events, actively promote BDI’s capabilities and showcase our exceptional track record of delivering large national grants.

- Act as the primary contact for assigned grants, ensuring regular communication, timely and transparent updates, comprehensive reporting for funders and overall compliance to grant agreements.

- Work closely with internal teams to ensure grant-funded programs are delivered to budget, managed sustainably long-term and effectively integrated into broader sector engagement plans.

- Identify, establish and maintain relationships with relevant internal stakeholders to strengthen and support cross-directorate collaboration (e.g. research, clinic, corporate functions).

Support Business Development & Pipeline Growth

- Support the Senior Engagement Manager in scoping and preparing new grant opportunities, including government tenders and philanthropic funding.

- Identify and secure fee-for-service opportunities that emerge within the workplace, education, health, and government sectors, ensuring alignment with the Institute’s strategic priorities.

- Work collaboratively with colleagues across programs, sales, and engagement to convert sector leads into commercial service agreements, while maintaining strong missional alignment.

- Contribute to the development of business cases, proposals, and bids, incorporating both grant-funded and fee-for-service opportunities.

- Gather sector intelligence from program delivery, stakeholder interactions, and market engagement to inform and strengthen pipeline development.

- Monitor competitor activity and emerging market trends to identify new areas for growth and innovation.

Financial Oversight and Reporting

- Support the Senior Grants Engagement Manager with budget oversight, tracking grant funding expenditure and ensuring grant funds are allocated efficiently and transparently.

- Lead the development and delivery of regular reports for grant stakeholders, including funders, internal leadership, and sector partners.

- Ongoing monitoring of KPIs and impact metrics, providing insights to improve grant performance.

- Identify risks to funding or compliance and develop mitigation strategies.

- Contribute to the development and refinement of processes, systems, and reporting frameworks to enable scalable grant management.

- Share insights and lessons learned from grant delivery to inform best practice.

Work Health and Safety (WHS)

- Ensure self-compliance with all WHS legislation and BDI WHS Policy and Procedures.

- Report any WHS hazards and significant issues to Director, People & Culture, or delegate.

- Work in a safe manner, applying duty of care.

Note: the list of responsibilities is not exhaustive, and the Institute may change or request additional activities to meet the operational needs of the business.

Skills & Experience Required

Essential Criteria

1. Qualifications and Experience
• Degree in Business, Psychology, Management, Marketing, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in a similar role with demonstrated success in grant engagement and program delivery.

2. Grant and Program Management
• Proven experience in identifying, securing, and managing grants across government, workplace, education, health, and philanthropic sectors.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, multidisciplinary projects and deliver programs to deadline and budget/targets.

3. Tender and Proposal Writing
• Demonstrated experience in developing compelling grant proposals and leading or contributing to competitive tender submissions aligned with strategic priorities and funding criteria.

4. Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management
• Strong interpersonal skills with a track record of building and maintaining relationships with government agencies, corporate partners, education providers, and philanthropic donors.
• Experience acting as a liaison with funders, ensuring compliance, reporting, and effective communication.

5. Sales and Business Development
• Experience operating in a high-volume, consultative sales environment.
• Ability to manage the full sales lifecycle, from lead generation to proposal development, contract negotiation, and program setup.

6. Strategic and Operational Capability
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to balance strategic planning, operational delivery, and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience contributing to scalable systems and process improvements.

7. Communication and Reporting
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including experience preparing reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to interpret and report on KPIs and impact metrics to inform continuous improvement and future funding applications.

8. Technical Proficiency and Values Alignment
• High-level computer literacy, including proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite and CRM-based systems.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion principles, and understanding of Work Health and Safety (WHS) responsibilities.

Desirable Criteria

1. Experience in Mental Health, Not-for-Profit, or Research Translation Sectors
Prior work in mental health, not-for-profit, or research translation environments, with an understanding of relevant policy, funding, and service delivery contexts.

2. Marketing and Promotional Collaboration
Experience working with marketing or communications teams to co-develop promotional materials, campaigns, or event strategies that support grant-funded initiatives.

3. Process and Systems Improvement
Experience in improving internal systems, workflows, or CRM usage to enhance grant delivery efficiency and scalability.

4. Accreditation and Standards Compliance
Familiarity with working alongside accrediting bodies or within frameworks that require compliance with professional or sector-specific standards.

5. Data Analysis and Impact Evaluation
Ability to analyse program data and translate findings into actionable insights for reporting, continuous improvement, and future funding strategies

EEO Statement
Black Dog Institute is committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects our wider community. We ensure equal employment opportunity for all, regardless of age, appearance, carer status, cultural and/or racial background, disability, gender identity, lived experience, religion or sexual orientation.

How to Apply
To become a part of the Black Dog Institute team, follow the link to ELMO to apply and submit your most up to date resume. If you are shortlisted for the role, we will call you and let you know you are successful. Please do not respond to any suspicious emails requesting you to upload your ID or personal details. We are a 2022 Circle Back Initiative Employer and commit to respond to every applicant.

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