Careers at UniSC

• Financial Services, Sunshine Coast Campus, Sippy Downs
• Level 9, $134,332 - $140,696 p.a., plus up to 17% employer superannuation
• Full-time, ongoing appointment

The Opportunity

As Senior Financial Advisor at UniSC, you’ll play a key role in shaping the University’s financial sustainability and long-term success. Bringing a strategic lens to complex challenges, you’ll provide high-level financial analysis and advice to senior leaders, support strategic investment decisions, and drive initiatives that diversify revenue and strengthen financial resilience. From fee setting and cashflow forecasting to evaluating commercial opportunities, you’ll connect financial and operational data to deliver clear insights and support evidence-based decision-making. Working closely with stakeholders across the University and beyond, you’ll help embed a collaborative, service-focused approach to financial strategy and planning.

You will

• shape the future by delivering strategic financial advice that supports executive decision-making and helps unlock new opportunities for growth, sustainability, and impact;
• lead the way in financial planning and forecasting, driving smarter cashflow, investment, and fee strategies that stay aligned with UniSC’s evolving goals; and
• connect the dots across the university to deliver meaningful financial insights, encourage collaboration, and help build a confident, financially savvy culture.

About you

You're a strategic finance professional who brings clarity and confidence to complex financial decision-making. Our ideal candidate combines strong commercial acumen with the ability to influence at the executive level, offering high-impact advice grounded in rigorous modelling and analysis. You have a deep understanding of financial planning, investment strategy, and governance, and you're skilled at connecting financial insights with institutional priorities. You’re collaborative by nature, comfortable engaging across academic and professional areas, and committed to building a financially informed, future-focused culture. If you're looking for a role where your expertise will shape the strategic direction of a growing university, this opportunity is for you.

You will possess:

• A strong track record of tackling complex challenges with innovative thinking, driving positive change, sound decision-making, and great results across culture, performance, risk, and stakeholder experience.
• Deep expertise in cashflow and investment management, financial analysis, fee setting, funding models, and revenue forecasting in a fast-moving, complex environment.
• A proactive and collaborative approach to building strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Sharp commercial insight, with the confidence to negotiate effectively and spot opportunities for growth in complex business settings.
• The ability to prepare clear, high-quality financial reports and confidently present complex data to senior leaders.
• A consistent ability to deliver high-quality outcomes within tight timeframes.
• A keen eye for detail, strong analytical thinking, and a creative, solutions-focused mindset.
• High-level skills using financial systems and Excel to support data-driven decision-making.
• Excellent communication skills, both in writing and in working with stakeholders at all levels, including executive and external partners.
• A collaborative mindset and the ability to work across teams and organisations to lift performance.

Desirable

• An understanding of university operations and funding models, with experience navigating the higher education environment.
• Professional membership with CPA Australia or equivalent.

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:  493266_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, Tuesday 17 June 

Your completed application must include:

• a resume, and responses to specific pre-determined selection criteria as outlined in the application form.

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:

Jodi Marchant
Associate Director, Financial Management & Commercial
Telephone: 07 5409 8663
Email: jmarchant@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.