Head of Financial Control
- Financial Services, Sunshine Coast Campus, Sippy Downs
- Attractive remuneration, commensurate with skills and experience, plus 17% employer superannuation
- Full-time, ongoing appointment
The Opportunity
Financial Services has a critical role in enabling the University’s strategic ambitions by providing trusted financial leadership, insight and stewardship across the institution. Reporting directly to the University’s Vice-Chancellor and President, the Financial Services function partners closely with academic and professional leaders to ensure strong financial governance, sustainable decision-making and operational excellent.
Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Head of Financial Control is a key member of the Financial Services leadership team, working alongside the Director, Strategic Procurement and Major Contracts and the Associate Director, Financial Management and Commercial. Together, this team leads the delivery of robust financial governance, effective operational controls and continuous improvement across UniSC’s financial systems and processes.
In this role, you will lead the University’s financial control environment and core financial operational, overseeing the delivery of statutory financial reporting, taxation and regulatory compliance obligations, while strengthening financial controls, governance and reporting practices that support sound institutional decision-making.
Leading a high-performing team, you will provide strategic and operational oversight of key financial functions, including accounts payable, accounts receivable and travel services, driving service excellence, process optimisation and continuous improvement across the university’s financial operations. Through your leadership, you will ensure the delivery of efficient, compliant and high-quality financial services that support strategic priorities and long-term sustainability.
For more information, please visit us online: Financial Services
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.
- enable the strategic direction of Financial Services by aligning financial accounting, reporting, compliance and operational finance activities with University priorities;
- oversee the accurate and timely delivery of statutory financial reporting, taxation and regulatory obligations, ensuring strong governance, robust controls and financial integrity;
- lead and strengthen financial compliance frameworks, policies and processes, ensuring they are fit-for-purpose, risk-aligned and reflective of sector best practice;
- provide strategic and operational leadership to the operations team, fostering a high-performing and collaborative environment that delivers reliable, efficient and high-quality financial services; and
- drive continuous improvement by bringing teams along on the journey while remaining agile and responsive in a complex and evolving environment.
About you
You are a strategic and future-focused finance leader who brings clarity, confidence and purpose to complex environments. You combine deep technical expertise in financial accounting, statutory reporting, compliance and operational finance with a collaborative and engaging leadership style. You take pride in building and inspiring capable teams, enabling them to deliver consistent, high-quality outcomes while navigating change and evolving priorities.
You bring a strong understanding of governance, internal controls and audit requirements, and a proven ability to translate complex financial and regulatory obligations into practical, operational solutions. You enjoy optimising systems, processes and reporting frameworks, strengthening data integrity, and supporting others to make informed and confident financial decisions.
You will possess:
- Leadership experience in financial management within a large, complex organisation.
- Strong expertise in financial accounting, statutory reporting, taxation and compliance.
- Demonstrated knowledge of governance, internal controls and audit processes.
- Proven people leadership experience, including developing high-performing teams and supporting them to grow and succeed in evolving environments.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills, with a practical approach to continuous improvement.
- Experience optimising financial processes, systems and reporting frameworks.
- High-level capability with financial systems and contemporary finance technologies.
- Agility and adaptability, with the ability to respond effectively to change and evolving organisational priorities.
Highly desirable
- Membership with CPA Australia (or equivalent) or a relevant professional body.
- Knowledge of, or experience within, a university environment.
Don't meet every requirement? At UniSC, we understand that your work and life experiences can be just as valuable. If you're excited about this role but your CV doesn't align perfectly with our position description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or one of our many other opportunities.
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.
Position description: 
494084 position description.pdf
UniSC values a diverse and talented workforce and invites applications from candidates who already have legal work rights in Australia.
UniSC does not accept unsolicited applications. For agency inquiries, contact unisc-careers@usc.edu.au
Applications for this position close midnight, Sunday 22 March 2026
Your completed application must include:
- a resume and a statement of suitability (not to exceed two pages), which be reviewed in alignment to the specified selection criteria as outlined within the position description.
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 Officer
Telephone: 07 5430 1115
Email: cfo@usc.edu.au
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 and a growing footprint in major capital cities.
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 13 research fields ranked well above world standard, characterised by evidence of outstanding performance according to the Excellence 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.
