Unique opportunity to lead the development of timely, relevant evidence that informs Australia’s efforts to end violence against women and children.

ANROWS (Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety) is driven by its mission to create a future free from violence against women and children. ANROWS is seeking an experienced and skilled Director of Research to lead transformative research, shape national policies, and drive meaningful change.

The location of this role is flexible.

Key Responsibilities

Reporting to the CEO, the Director of Research will:

• Lead the development and implementation of Australia’s National Research Agenda, (ANRA) including commissioned research and grants.
• Provide expert advice to policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders on evidence-informed directions to address violence against women and children.
• Represent ANROWS in national and international forums related to research.
• Manage and mentor a multidisciplinary research team to deliver high-quality, impactful outputs.
• Oversee flagship initiatives, including the National Community Attitudes Survey (NCAS) and the Evidence Portal.

Key Requirements

The successful candidate will possess:

• A strong research background in social sciences with a focus on violence against women and their children, with postgraduate qualifications in fields such as sociology, criminology, or social psychology.
• Extensive experience designing, leading, managing, and supervising complex research programs.
• Proven people leadership capability, including team management and strategic planning.
• A track record of building and maintaining strong relationships across government, academia, and the community sector.
• Exceptional analytical, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.

A position description is attached.