Career opportunities

• Meaningful role supporting nationally significant health data and research programs

• Flexible work arrangements with an office located in Glebe, NSW

• Full‑time role

About the role

Sitting within the Data and Research Services (DRS) Division, the Program Portfolio Coordinator plays a critical coordination role across some of the Institute’s most significant research infrastructure and data services, including SURE, our highly secure data access platform, and major longitudinal cohort studies including 45 and Up.

Working closely with senior leaders, program leads and researchers, this role supports the planning, coordination, governance and delivery of DRS programs and projects. It is ideal for someone who enjoys working across multiple initiatives, keeping complex work on track and enabling others to focus on strategic delivery and growth.

Responsibilities will include:

• Coordinating activities across DRS programs and projects, including maintaining project plans, tracking milestones, actions and deliverables
• Supporting program and project leads through preparation of briefs, reports, papers and presentations
• Leading secretariat functions for internal forums related to SURE and the 45 and Up Study
• Supporting business development activities, including maintaining proposal materials and coordinating contractual agreements and variations
• Assisting with communication and engagement activities related to the 45 and Up Study, including cohort contact and internal/external projects
• Supporting publications management for the 45 and Up Study, including tracking outputs, impact and liaising with the Communications team
• Working collaboratively with the DRS team to support performance reporting, KPI tracking and information management
• Building strong relationships with internal teams and external partners to support effective delivery of programs

About you

We are looking for a highly organised and proactive coordinator who enjoys working in a collaborative, purpose‑driven environment. You will bring:

• Demonstrated ability to identify, engage and develop productive relationships with a broad range of relevant stakeholders
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment with diverse stakeholders from research, policy and practice
• Experience in managing complex projects in collaboration with a range of government, non-government and research partners and stakeholders
• Highly organised with experience in managing multiple work streams and ability to work according to strict deadlines and manage various demands
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills with sound negotiation skills and a demonstrated level of tact and discretion in dealing with a variety of matters
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, taking initiative and exercising sound judgement in resolving and escalating matters as they arise
• Strong governance focus and experience leading Secretariat functions
• Good IT literacy, including demonstrated experience with Microsoft products, including Word, Excel and Dynamics
• Familiarity with health, government and/or research sectors.

Experience working in health, government and/or research environments, and familiarity with contract or financial management, will be highly regarded.

Further details

Further information about the position can be found in the position description.

To apply please send your CV and a cover letter addressing the Selection Criteria to jobs@saxinstitute.org.au with the subject heading: Program Portfolio Coordinator

Please contact Matt Gorringe at Matthew.Gorringe@saxinstitute.org.au if you have further questions about the role.

Applications close on Sunday, 17 May 2026.

The Sax Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

• The Sax Institute is inviting experienced simulation modellers to be on a shortlist of candidates for casual employment and consultant contracts
• Make a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of Australians
• Competitive salary and consultancy rates

About the Sax Institute

The Sax Institute is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that improves health and wellbeing by driving better use of evidence in policies, programs and services.

The Institute has an international reputation as an Evidence Specialist, and nearly 20 years’ experience in translating research findings into policy drawing on our own expertise as well as that of our more than 50 member organisations. We work with governments, health organisations, research organisations and a network of experts nationwide to analyse policy problems and find the best evidence-based solutions.

The Sax Institute’s Decision Analytics team uses simulation modelling and other analytical methods to develop adaptable decision support tools. These tools are developed in partnership with government departments, policy agencies and program planners in health and social sectors, providing them with a low-risk virtual environment to test potential impacts of different decisions before they are implemented in the real world.

About the role

This role will provide a unique opportunity to build simulation models to solve real-world problems and have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of Australians. Examples include strategic investments to reduce suicide deaths, planning and resource allocation optimisation to improve the efficiency and outcomes of hospital systems, managing and planning for infectious disease pandemic such as COVID-19, and studying the dynamic relationships between human activities and the physical and social environment.

They will have a primary responsibility in the technical development of high-standard dynamic simulation models, as part of a collaborative and supportive team with diverse expertise in public health policy and planning, participatory and consensus building approaches, and evidence synthesis. They are likely to be involved in participatory model-building workshops with policy makers, researchers, clinicians, and people with lived experience. The role may also include contributing to model documentation and dissemination of findings, and driving methodological innovations.

About the talent pool

The talent pool will be comprised of a small number of experienced simulation modellers. Applicants will first be assessed by their CVs and cover letters. Those considered eligible will be contacted within 10 business days to arrange a brief interview. When an opportunity emerges we will contact the person in the talent pool with the most relevant experience to determine their current availability. The terms and conditions of the work will be agreed for each project.

 About you – Selection Criteria

Essential

• PhD qualification or equivalent professional experience in one or more dynamic simulation modelling methods, i.e. system dynamics, discrete event, or agent-based modelling
• A demonstrated track record of developing dynamic simulation models for research or real world applications
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team and balance inputs from diverse stakeholders
• Strong critical thinking, analytical, and problem solving skills
• A healthy drive for excellence
• Strong time management skills to deliver models in short time frames

Preferred

• Experience with Stella Architect or AnyLogic software
• Knowledge of public health and policy, social and environmental determinants of health, and government policy decision-making
• Experience in participatory modelling and co-design process
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team and balance inputs from diverse stakeholders
• Ability to communicate technical details to lay audience
• Proficient in statistical software applications (e.g., SPSS, Stata, SAS, R)
• Commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of Australians

Further details

To apply please send your CV to decision.analytics@saxinstitute.org.au with the subject heading: Simulation modeller. A cover letter addressing the Selection Criteria is strongly encouraged.

Please contact Ani Goswami on ani.goswami@saxinstitute.org.au if you have further questions about the role.

Applications close: ongoing

The Sax Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.