Acknowledgement of Country
CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View our vision towards reconciliation.
Role highlights
- Lead capital business cases that enable strategic investment in CSIRO’s sites
- Deliver complex property and commercial transactions to optimise value and manage risk
- Partner with senior leaders to translate strategy into executable outcomes
About CSIRO
As Australia's national science agency, CSIRO is solving the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. Many of our iconic innovations were once considered impossible until someone, just like you, joined us and took on the challenge.
Visit CSIRO.au for more information.
The opportunity
We are seeking a Manager Commercial to lead capital business case development and deliver complex property and commercial transactions supporting CSIRO’s Property Strategy.
In this role, you will lead the end-to-end development of high-quality, evidence-based two-stage capital business cases (Initial and Detailed Business Cases). In parallel, you will also leverage your strong commercial and property expertise for the negotiation and execution of complex commercial and property transactions.
Working closely with Enterprise and Research Unit leadership, Finance, Government Engagement and external partners, you will influence executive decision-making and contribute to whole-of-organisation outcomes through disciplined investment planning and commercial execution.
Your high-level duties will include:
- Provide strategic leadership for CSIRO’s capital investment planning and property transactions, setting enterprise‑wide direction for robust, investable business cases and commercial strategies.
- Lead the end‑to‑end development of two‑stage capital business cases, including options analysis, cost–benefit assessment, risk analysis, delivery strategy and affordability.
- Partner with Enterprise and Research Unit leaders to translate scientific, operational and estate strategies into prioritised investment proposals and support informed decision‑making.
- Establish strong governance and assurance over capital business cases, ensuring compliance with CSIRO, Commonwealth and central agency requirements.
- Provide commercial and property leadership for property transactions, minimising financial exposure and delivery risk.
- Lead complex commercial negotiations with landlords and counterparties, applying market insight and financial analysis to achieve value‑for‑money outcomes.
Role particulars
Location: Capital city sites
Salary: AU$135k – AU$158k per annum (pro-rata for part-time) + 15.4% superannuation
Tenure: Specified term of 2 years, Full-time
Reference: 103041
As the successful candidate, you will bring:
- Tertiary qualifications (or equivalent experience) in property, finance, economics, business, engineering, or a related discipline, together with demonstrated achievement in senior roles involving capital investment and commercial property transactions.
- Demonstrated experience operating at a senior level within the Commonwealth or comparable public‑sector environment, with a strong understanding of public‑sector investment governance, assurance, funding and approval processes.
- Proven expertise in the development of complex, multi‑stage capital business cases, including options analysis, financial and economic evaluation, risk assessment and delivery strategy, within large, asset‑intensive organisations.
- Demonstrated commercial and property acumen, including experience leading complex lease negotiations, exit strategies or property transactions, and achieving value‑for‑money outcomes in challenging market conditions.
- Highly developed strategic thinking and judgement, with the ability to navigate ambiguity, balance competing priorities and deliver outcomes within agreed timeframes, budgets and risk tolerances.
- Exceptional communication, negotiation and influencing skills, with a demonstrated ability to engage credibly with Executive, Director‑level and external stakeholders and to present complex information clearly and persuasively.
For full details about this role, and other criteria, please review the Position Description.
Not sure if you meet all the criteria?
While it is CSIRO policy that the successful candidate must meet all the essential criteria, there are many ways to demonstrate this. Don’t let the list discourage you. If you are unsure about applying, please reach out to the contact person in the Position Description.
Setting you up for success
We are committed to providing a recruitment process that is fair, equitable and accessible to everyone. We recognise that it may be helpful for us to adjust our process to make it equitable for your individual situation. Please reach out to the contact person listed in the Position Description and let us know how we can support you.
Life at CSIRO and flexible work arrangements
We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. We can discuss flexible work arrangements with you during the recruitment process. CSIRO also offers a range of leave entitlements, benefits and career development opportunities. To find out more, visit Careers at CSIRO.
Inclusion and belonging
Solving Australia's greatest challenges takes a diversity of minds and lived experiences. We know diverse teams are more effective and deliver more innovative outcomes. As an equal employment opportunity organisation, we are committed to creating diverse and inclusive teams where people feel they belong. We recognise true diversity encompasses all ages, abilities, cultures, faiths, levels of education, genders, sexualities, diversity of thought and much more. We focus on hiring people who share our values of People First, Further Together, Making it Real and Trusted.
CSIRO holds Platinum Status for the Australian Workplace Equality Index for LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and a Science in Australia Gender Equity Bronze Award.
Eligibility
Applications for this position are open to Australian Citizens only.
The successful candidate will be required to obtain and maintain a security clearance at the Negative Vetting 1 Level.
Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.
Child safety
CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View our Child Safe Policy.
How to apply
Please apply online and submit a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) and CV that demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the essential requirements of this role.
Applications close
26th May 2026, 11pm AEST.
