Careers at UniSC

• Financial Services, Sunshine Coast Campus, Sippy Downs
• $163,036 - $195,642, inclusive of 17% superannuation 
• Full-time, fixed term appointment 5 years

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), you will be instrumental in leading the and modernising our financial budgeting and forecasting frameworks, ensuring they are robust, adaptable, and aligned with our strategic goals. This opportunity offers the chance to enhance and elevate an existing function, focusing on trusted business partnering and providing critical support to our academic and administrative divisions.

You'll play a key role in guiding the university through strategic and operational financial management, including financial analysis, cost models, scenario planning, and business case development. Your work will be instrumental in helping UniSC maintain financial stability in a challenging sector, offering expert advice on current and new opportunities and pricing strategies.

We value a balance between work flexibility and engaging with teams onsite, this role will be primarily office-based at our Sippy Downs campus in a 4:1 hybrid working model.

You will

• Lead the transformation and continuous improvement of financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting frameworks.
• Develop robust financial management frameworks that support strategic and operational decision-making across the university.
• Provide expert financial and commercial advice to optimise growth opportunities, foster sustainability, and improve financial literacy across the university.
• Implement a trusted strategic business partnering model, and develop a high-performing team, ensuring they deliver exceptional support to the university’s stakeholders.
• Engage in hands-on financial analysis, utilising systems and tools like Tech1, to directly contribute to the university's financial decision-making processes.

About you

You are a strategic and operational financial leader with a proven track record in transforming financial management within complex organisations. Your experience spans budgeting, financial planning, cost models, scenario analysis, and business partnering. You thrive in a role where you can build and uplift a function, ensuring it meets both current and future needs.

Your expertise in guiding organisations through financial transformations, particularly in the higher education or government sectors, will be crucial in this role. You are comfortable with both strategic oversight and hands-on financial work, using technology to drive insights and support decision-making.

You will possess:

• Senior leadership experience in financial management, particularly within complex organisations governed by strict regulatory frameworks.
• Proven ability to lead financial transformations, including the development of financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting frameworks.
• Expertise in financial analysis, cost models, scenario planning, and business case development, with a focus on financial opportunities and pricing strategies.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to mentor and develop a high-performing team.
• Technological proficiency, particularly with financial software like Tech1, and the ability to conduct hands-on financial analysis and reporting.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with a collaborative approach to leadership

UniSC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, women in STEM, First Nations Peoples, and individuals of diverse cultures, genders, abilities, and experiences. We value achievement relative to opportunity and encourage your commentary on your achievements in this context. For additional support during the application process, please contact us at unisc-careers@usc.edu.au or call +61 7 5430 2830.

UniSC values a diverse and talented workforce and invites applications from candidates who already have legal work rights in Australia.

All applications must be lodged through the Careers at UniSC website.

UniSC does not accept unsolicited applications. For agency inquiries, contact unisc-careers@usc.edu.au

Applications for this position close midnight, Sunday 29 September 2024.

Your completed application must include a resume, cover letter and responses to specific pre-determined selection criteria as outlined in the application form. Noting your application will be reviewed in alignment to the specified selection criteria as outlined within the position description.

Position Description:  Associate Director Financial Management and Commercial.pdf

Further information regarding how to prepare your application is available on our website: Join our team

We would love the opportunity to get to know you better, but we know it works both ways. To get to know a little more about us, visit us at: Welcome to UniSC and LinkedIn Life

Have questions or want to know more? For a confidential discussion, please contact:
Sue Phillips, Chief Financial Offier
Telephone: 07 5430 1115
Email: cfo@usc.edu.au

Discover UniSC

We're all about doing work that matters, connecting with great people, and being part of an incredible journey. We’re not the biggest university. But we’re growing every day, and doing big things. Like ground-breaking research, championing sustainability, producing gold-winning athletes and award-winning alumni.

We're one of the fastest growing universities in Australia, growing to over 2,000 people across 5 campuses in South East Queensland.

Teaching excellence is at the heart of what we do, and our commitment to sustainability is integrated into our teaching, research, and daily operations. Our research tackles the most pressing challenges of our time, with 26 research fields ranked at or above world standard according to the Excellence in Research for Australia Rankings. At UniSC you will have the opportunity to contribute to the educational landscape for future generations.

We foster a collaborative and supportive environment, encouraging continuous professional development and providing resources to enhance your career. We recognise and value the contributions of each team member to our culture and success. We're not afraid to be different, and we're looking for people who share our values and want to be part of a team that is working together to improve our local and global challenges.

Our Culture & Benefits:

• Our collaborative, passionate and welcoming culture is what really sets us apart.
• Modern teaching & research facilities.
• Professional development and career pathway opportunities.
• We are a proud recipient of the prestigious Athena SWAN Bronze Award, granted as part of the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) initiative.
• Flexible work arrangements & generous leave options.
• Salary packing options + 17% Super.
• EAP, fitness passport & discounted private health.