Director, Australia-Indonesia Centre (AIC)

Job No.: 682761

Location: Caulfield campus

Employment Type: Full-time 

Duration: 3-year fixed-term appointment, to commence in 2026

Remuneration: A competitive remuneration package will apply

• Lead a high-profile international centre 
• Drive impactful research and collaboration across the ASEAN region
• Strengthen strategic Australia-Indonesia partnerships

The Opportunity

Monash University’s International Portfolio is seeking a dynamic, entrepreneurial, and strategic leader for the role of Director, Australia-Indonesia Centre (AIC).

The Australia-Indonesia Centre (AIC) is a high-impact, bilateral collaborative research initiative that brings together the Australian and Indonesian governments, leading academic institutions, and key industry partners. The Centre’s mission is to strengthen and advance people-to-people connections across science, technology, education, innovation, and culture, while addressing shared challenges and driving deeper mutual understanding between Australia and Indonesia.

As Director, you will lead this high-impact initiative, expand Australia-Indonesia and ASEAN-region ties, and manage complex cross-sector collaborations. You will oversee strategic programs, including Monash’s Indonesia campus initiatives, and ensure the Centre continues to deliver long-term, purpose-driven regional impact.

This senior leadership role offers a rare opportunity to influence policy, mobilise resources, and shape one of Australia’s flagship international partnerships.

What You Will Bring 

Multi-Stakeholder Management

• Demonstrated success managing diverse partnerships across governments, universities, and other institutional stakeholders
• Skilled in navigating contractual, programmatic, and performance obligations in complex, multi-actor environments

Entrepreneurial Drive

• Proven ability to identify and secure diverse funding streams, including but not limited to from government, philanthropy, and industry
• A proactive, outward-facing mindset with a strong track record of opportunity creation

Leadership

• A demonstrated capacity for strategic vision, ambition, and executive drive to lead the Centre through a period of renewal and position it for long-term regional impact
• While not necessarily from academia, you will bring credibility with university leaders and a deep understanding of the higher education and research ecosystem
• Ability to lead and retain high-performing teams with strong people leadership skills and a commitment to building trust, cohesion, and resilience

Institutional Navigation

• Confidence operating across university governance frameworks while preserving the AIC’s distinct identity and mission
• Ability to balance Monash’s systems and protocols with the need for strategic agility and independent delivery

Resilience, Confidence & Initiative

• A self-starting, confident leader with a sharp eye for unconventional or emerging opportunities
• Experience leading in ambiguous, high-stakes, or under-resourced contexts, where initiative and adaptability are key

The role is based at Monash’s Caulfield campus and involves regular travel to Indonesia and partner institutions across the region. Familiarity with Bahasa Indonesia is advantageous, and strong regional experience and networks in Indonesia are highly regarded.

The role will commence in January 2026.

Why Join Us

• Lead a globally influential, multidisciplinary centre with impact across Australia and Southeast Asia
• Shape the strategic future of Australia-Indonesia collaboration
• Work on real-world issues in health, food, energy, and infrastructure through applied research
• Join a mission-driven team in a role that blends diplomacy, research, leadership, and innovation

This is an unparalleled opportunity for an accomplished leader to drive regional transformation, secure strategic investment, and elevate one of Australia’s most respected international centres.

About Monash University

At Monash, work feels different. There’s a sense of belonging, from contributing to something groundbreaking – a place where great things happen. We make tangible contributions because our purpose is clear; to deliver positive economic, social and environmental impact in resolving the global challenges of our age.

At the core of achieving this purpose is the diversity of our staff. We welcome and value everyone's contributions, lived experience and expertise. When you come to work, you can be yourself, be a change-maker and develop your career in exciting ways. This is why we champion an inclusive and respectful workplace culture where everyone is supported to succeed.

Monash supports flexible and hybrid working arrangements. We have a range of policies in place enabling staff to combine work and personal commitments. This includes supporting parents.

To Apply

Responses to the Key Selection Criteria are required. For instructions on how to apply, please refer to 'How to apply for Monash Jobs'.

Diversity is one of our greatest strengths at Monash. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culturally and linguistically diverse people, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, and people of all genders, sexualities, and age groups.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible recruitment process at Monash. If you need any reasonable adjustments, please contact us at hr-recruitment@monash.edu in an email titled 'Reasonable Adjustments Request' for a confidential discussion.

Your employment is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of all pre-employment and/or background checks required for the role, as determined by the University.

Enquiries: Mr Paul Sabo, Chief of Staff, Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) and Senior Vice-President, +61 437 644 615, paul.sabo@monash.edu

Position Description: Director, Australia-Indonesia Centre (AIC)

Applications Close: Sunday 24 August 2025, 11:55pm AEST