Senior Manager, Research & Innovation

Established in 1988, Rest is one of Australia’s largest profit-to-member superannuation funds.

We support more than two million members, with around $100 billion of funds under management and are recognised as a responsible investment leader*. We believe when members understand and engage with their super, they’re more likely to get a better retirement outcome.

Everything we do at Rest is underpinned by our values and behaviours, we want to Be Daring, Keep it Simple, Take Action and Have Grit. To put it simply we want our people to thrive and love the work they do.

By prioritising AI-first analytical solutions, the Senior Manager, Research & Innovation, leads the research and innovation which will support build a world class investments team on behalf of Rest members. The role will play a pivotal role in producing vibrant research using AI, and providing strategic insights to the investment leadership team to ensure that Rest investments evolve its strategy and approach into the future.

Key Accountabilities/Responsibilities

Reporting to the General manager, Responsible Investment & Sustainability, this role leads the Rest Investments Research and Innovation function, using AI as its key input.

• Manage a pipeline of experiments which drive strategic insights by leading the design and implementation of AI-driven research frameworks to ensure Rest remains at the forefront of the technological shift in investment management. This includes being able to scale institutional and industry intelligence to capture insights which can be applied to the investment function.
• Establish rhythms for discovery, experimentation and integration tracking innovation through inputs, throughput and outputs, e.g. modernising the institutional investment process.
• Translate complex emerging technologies and data science methodologies into practical, scalable investment tools that improve the resilience of the investment function and member outcomes. Ensure these help to enhance the investment decision making process and operational excellence.
• Balance traditional research with a ‘test and learn’ innovation mindset working collaboratively across the broader investment team to integrate AI insights into the investment process, ensuring all innovations are aligned with Rest’s broader strategic goals.  
• Take a lead role in demystifying AI and advanced analytics for internal investment leaders, providing clear, actionable insights which support Rest’s investment performance.
• Prepare and present the required and appropriate reporting to the management investment leadership team, and any other relevant management reporting to support business outcomes.
• Ensure successful experiments are absorbed into the investment team culture/identity and foster a culture of curiosity, safety and continuous learning and improvement

• Relevant degree to conducting high quality research and innovation in an investment environment

Required experience, understanding or credentials including:

• Significant demonstrable experience in a research and/or innovation role.
• Experience with intelligence layers, LLMs, specialised to the investment industry.  
• Experience with Data ingestion, AI Synthesis, Insight Generation and Process Refinement
• Experience in financial services or other highly regulated industries preferred.
• Exceptional interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong experience of end-to-end research process, including stakeholder engagement, research design, project management, analysis and reporting.
• Experience in partnering with external research providers / academic institutions
• Excellent communication and storytelling skills, sharing clear simple insights to drive action.
• Ability to use Snowflake, Bloomberg and Factset systems
• Python, SQL & Data Architecture preferred

Our benefits have been designed so you can tailor your experience with us and include:

• Personal and professional development opportunities 
• Hybrid working 
• Purchase leave scheme and gender neutral 16 weeks paid parental leave 
• Super Contribution Continuation for 12 Months of parental leave 
• Linkedin Learning 
• Income Protection Insurance 
• Rest Excellence awards (peer recognition awards based on Rest’s values and behaviours) 
• Rest Stops - meeting free breaks 

If you share our values, believe you can help make a difference for our members and want to be part of a leading superannuation fund with a Super culture, please click Apply Now.

Rest is committed to creating a flexible work environment and culture that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion - where people feel welcome, safe to be themselves and inspired to do their best.

We value the different backgrounds, lived experiences and abilities our diverse team brings. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates of all ages, cultural backgrounds, faiths, gender identities, sexual orientations and thinking styles. This includes people with disability, neurodiverse individuals, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples and those with disrupted work history due to career or other breaks.

Please note only people with the right to work in Australia will be considered.

*Funds under management as at 31 July 2025. Rest is recognised as a Responsible Investment Leader by the Responsible Investment Association Australia (RIAA) in its Responsible Investment Benchmark Report 2022.