• Experienced Vendor Management professional from a regulated environment required for lead role in IT function
• Permanent role based in Sydney or Melbourne
• Genuine Hybrid working environment 

The primary purpose of the role is to ensure the effective and efficient management of Rest’s technology service providers. The role needs to ensure that all technology contracts meet Rest’s and regulatory compliance standards and that vendors continue to meet their contractual obligations in regard to performance, risk management and compliance. You will support the General Manager, Enterprise Architecture & Technology in selecting the right service providers and ensuring they deliver optimum value within Rest’s Risk appetite.

Key Accountabilities/Responsibilities

1. Work closely with DTD leadership to create and maintain sourcing plans for key technology services
2. Implement enterprise service provider management policies/frameworks for DTD service providers 
3. Maintain a RACI identifying the key roles and responsibilities involved in the governance of DTD service providers 
4. Collaborate with strategic procurement team to ensure that all contracts reflect necessary technology standards including regulatory compliance obligations.
5. Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key technology service providers
6. Support vendor relationship owners in creating, implementing and maintaining vendor management plans
7. Work closely with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to support the resolution of any contractual compliance issues. 
8. Maintain current knowledge of industry trends, market conditions, and regulations affecting technology service providers 
9. Ensure vendor governance forums are run consistently and effectively
10. Prepare and present comprehensive reports to senior management regarding vendor performance

Purpose of the role

In this role, you will be responsible for delivery of Smiling Mind's research and evaluation agenda, driving innovation, and delivering high quality impact measurement. You will be responsible for undertaking research and delivering insights that create a step change in how Smiling Mind develops and delivers mental fitness and wellbeing programs. This dynamic position offers the opportunity to develop best practice, drive analysis & insight generation, lead reporting and deliver deep, actionable research that shapes the organisation's strategic impact agenda.

You will foster meaningful collaborations both internally and with industry and academic partners, positioning Smiling Mind as a thought leader in mental fitness and wellbeing, with a focus on children and the adults that support them - namely educators and parents / carers. Additionally, you will develop, deliver, and work across a variety of research programs including quantitative and qualitative evaluation, voice of customer initiatives, ad-hoc program research, population studies, and impact modelling, all aimed at driving innovation and thought leadership in the mental wellbeing space.

Key Responsibilities

This role has decision making autonomy empowering you to lead and innovate across research, evaluation, and impact measurement, with a focus on proactive leadership and strategic thinking.

Strategic Impact and Innovation

• In collaboration with the Senior Leadership Team, develop and execute on our research and impact strategy.
• Proactively drive the delivery of our impact agenda, creating new program and partnership opportunities for Smiling Mind.
• Lead high profile research initiatives and projects, delivering high-quality outcomes that position Smiling Mind at the forefront of mental wellbeing innovation.
• Leverage your expertise and insights to influence and inform decisions across the organisation, translating research insights into actionable strategies.
• Pioneer innovations in research and evaluation, setting the stage for multi-year advancements in the field of mental fitness and wellbeing.
• Mentor and inspire a team of junior research staff, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous learning.

Thought Leadership and Knowledge Exchange

• Develop a cutting-edge impact measurement framework that defines key mental fitness measures across Smiling Mind's diverse portfolio.
• Develop program logic models, theories of change, and evaluation frameworks that extend current practice in mental wellbeing research.
• Design and implement mixed-methods research, showcasing Smiling Mind's commitment to rigorous and impactful evaluation.
• Produce compelling, action-oriented reports that demonstrate Smiling Mind's impact, position Smiling Mind’s advocacy direction effectively, and influence key stakeholders.

Strategic Collaboration and External Engagement

• Foster strategic relationships with internal stakeholders, championing a culture of research-driven decision-making across the organisation.
• Lead high-profile cross-collaboration projects with a range of external research partners
• Establish and nurture high-impact partnerships with academic institutions and industry leaders, positioning Smiling Mind as a key player in the mental wellbeing research landscape.

Driving Research and Program Development

• Deliver groundbreaking and high quality research and evaluation to inform the development of innovative products and programs, employing cutting-edge methodologies from evidence synthesis to co-design practices.
• Stay at the forefront of emerging research and evidence, actively seeking out and sharing new insights to inform Smiling Mind's program development and advocacy strategy.
• Bridge the gap between psychological theory and practical application, developing unique solutions that set Smiling Mind apart in the field.
• Influence and inform decisions regarding program and product evolution across the organisation, using evaluation insights and research acumen.

Elevating Impact through Strategic Communication

• Champion a culture of evidence-informed thinking across the organisation, inspiring colleagues to incorporate research into their work and decision-making processes.
• Produce and present high-impact research reports that captivate diverse audiences and showcase Smiling Mind's innovative approach to mental wellbeing.
• Translate complex research findings into compelling narratives that resonate with both technical and non-technical audiences, elevating Smiling Mind's profile in the field.

Key Teams / Stakeholders

This role offers the opportunity to collaborate with diverse stakeholders across Smiling Mind, as well as forge strategic partnerships with external research institutions and industry leaders. You'll be at the forefront of driving our research agenda and shaping the future of mental wellbeing interventions.

Join our passionate, high-growth team where your creativity, drive, and innovative thinking will directly contribute to changing lives. At Smiling Mind, we embrace challenges, celebrate successes, and work collaboratively to achieve extraordinary impact in mental wellbeing.