Manager, HDR Programs & Services

At RMIT Vietnam, international exposure meets real-world impact through strong industry and government collaboration. Working at RMIT means building a meaningful career while creating impact in a high-performing environment.

Further insight into our mission, impact and global connections is available in the RMIT Vietnam Profile.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Competitive remuneration VND package for Vietnamese candidates.

• 13th month Tet bonus

• Private Health insurance for you and your family, plus Personal Accident Insurance

Other benefits

• Generous annual leave, sick leave, volunteer leave and public holidays (Christmas and Tet Holidays)

• Professional development and career advancement

• Access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources

• A vibrant and diverse campus life and more!

POSITION SUMMARY

RMIT Vietnam’s HDR programs and scholarships are a critical pillar of the RMIT Vietnam Country Commitment and central to building a sustainable pipeline of research and innovation (R&I) talent in Vietnam. 
 
The Manager, HDR Programs & Services provides strategic and operational leadership of the full suite of Higher Degree by Research (HDR) programs and services at RMIT Vietnam. The role leads the HDR Programs and Services team within the Office for Research and Innovation (ORI), with accountability for end to end management of HDR processes, including HDR scholarships and admissions, candidature management, milestone seminars, and candidate engagement across the full lifecycle of the HDR experience. 
 
The role works closely with the School of Graduate Research (SGR), and HDR Delegated Authorities in both Vietnam and Australia to ensure a seamless and consistent candidate experience. The Manager is a key source of HDR policy and process expertise, providing informed advice to the Head, Office for Research & Innovation and to academic leaders, and proactively identifying and escalating candidature-related risks or issues to relevant stakeholders. 
 
Working in close partnership with HDR Delegated Authorities and supervisors across the three academic schools, the Manager is responsible for ensuring high-quality, compliant and student centred delivery of HDR support. The role acts as the principal liaison with the School of Graduate Research on all matters related to admissions, enrolments and candidature (including milestones, leave of absence, and monitoring candidate progress), ensuring alignment with University policies, standards and strategic priorities. 
 
As RMIT Vietnam strengthens its focus on HDR programs, this role requires a strong people leader who can build and lead a high performing team, drive best practice governance, and embed robust policy and process frameworks to support a growing HDR cohort. The Manager directly supervises two Senior Coordinators - one with responsibility for HDR programs and scholarships (including HDR program promotion, information sessions, admissions and scholarships), and one overseeing candidate experience and services (HDR orientations, HDR spaces, milestone seminars, engagement activities, training and other candidature matters). 
 
The Manager has oversight of HDR scholarship administration, ensuring timely processing and payment, monitoring and optimising scholarship allocation across the three schools, and contributing to resource planning through preparation of HDR scholarship budgets as part of annual budget cycles. The role holds responsibility for management reporting on HDR programs, providing analysis and insights to inform strategic decision-making. 

This position is ideally suited to a leader with a strong commitment to developing the next generation of researchers and to fostering an enabling environment in which HDR candidates and supervisors can thrive.
 

Key Accountabilities Summary

• Provide timely, expert and authoritative advice on HDR admissions, scholarships and candidature management, acting as the primary source of HDR policy and process expertise ensuring a coherent, high‑quality and student‑centred services across the full HDR lifecycle. 

• Provide timely and accurate advice on university HDR policies and procedures, leading ongoing review and improvement of processes to strengthen governance and compliance. 

• Lead, manage and develop the HDR Programs and Services team, including two Senior Coordinators, building a high‑performing, collaborative and service‑oriented culture with clear expectations and effective coaching. 

• Manage the RMIT Vietnam PhD Scholarship scheme and HDR funding models, including allocation, monitoring and compliance, working with Finance and Head, ORI to ensure robust financial management and effective use of resources. 

• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with key stakeholders across RMIT Vietnam and RMIT Australia, including SGR, HDR Delegated Authorities and schools, to support coordinated HDR service delivery and effective communication. 

• Ensure robust monitoring, analysis and accurate reporting of HDR data (e.g. admissions, progression, completions, supervision and scholarships) to inform strategic and operational decision‑making by the Head, ORI and RMIT Vietnam leadership. 

• Design and oversee HDR orientations, engagement and development activities (e.g. workshops, seminars, events) to foster a connected and inclusive PhD cohort and enhance the overall candidate experience. 

• Support the Head, ORI to identify and operationalise industry and alumni engagement and collaborative research training opportunities with regional and international university partners, enhancing the relevance and reach of HDR programs and enabling ongoing research collaborations with HDR alumni. 

• Act as a positive change advocate for service excellence and continuous improvement in the delivery of HDR programs at RMIT Vietnam, undertaking other duties as required to support research training priorities at RMIT Vietnam. 

• Other duties commensurate with the scope of the role

Key Selection Criteria

• Master degree or any similar post-graduate degrees

• At least 7 years of experience in similar roles. 

• Knowledge of IT and Multi-media related applications preferred 

• Knowledge of HDR programs and policies, including administration and services 

• High interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to confidently handle a range of situations with people from a diverse range of academic and business backgrounds. 

• Experience in the interpretation of complex policies as well as identifying key information required for data entry and a high level of attention to detail. 

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and efficiently within a team as well as autonomously under broad direction. 

• Demonstrated ability leading teams through complex change management environments, including academic stakeholder management 

• Excellent organisational and time management skills, with proven ability to manage multiple tasks and the flexibility to re-adjust workload priorities to meet competing deadlines. 

• Proven analytical and problem-solving skills and the ability to contribute to continuous improvement projects. 

• Demonstrated high level of proficiency in the use of MS Office suite; internet and information management systems. Experience in working with SAMS and AIR or other similar databases.

• Ability to display appropriate behaviours in line with the position, RMIT Values and RMIT Leadership Model.

More information is available in the Job Description.

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered for this role, it is mandatory to submit both a resume and a cover letter. Please click on the 'Apply' link provided in this Job Ads to initiate the application process.

Please note that we will be running a rolling recruitment process, so please apply as soon as possible.

Compliance Requirements

All academic appointments at RMIT Vietnam must meet University and local regulatory requirements, including English proficiency, background checks, and (for international candidates) eligibility for a work permit.

English is the language of teaching and communication at RMIT Vietnam. For this role, the minimum requirement is IELTS (General) with a score of at least 6.5 (or equivalent, as outlined in the Recruitment, Selection and Onboarding Guidelines).

Further guidance will be provided during the recruitment process.

RMIT UNIVERSITY COMMITMENT

RMIT is committed to the rights of students and staff to be safe, respected, valued, and treated as an equal in their place of study and work. All staff are expected to share this commitment and contribute to a safer community. While carrying out their role, staff are in a position of trust with students. Staff have a duty of care to report wellbeing concerns about students through the designated channels and uphold the code of conduct. RMIT Vietnam expects all staff members to comply with its Code of Conduct, policies and procedures, which relate to legal and regulatory requirements and our ways of working.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

• Please ensure that your application is submitted through our Workday system on the RMIT Careers page. We do not accept applications through other means.

• RMIT Vietnam will never request any fees or payments during the application process. Be vigilant about scams asking for payment to apply.

• For any questions or support, feel free to reach out to our Talent Acquisition team at [email protected]

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