Associate Director Finance

University of Sydney; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

17% superannuation

Job summary

The University of Sydney seeks an Associate Director Finance to steer planning and delivery of financial services across senior client groups, from the Vice Chancellor Office to Deputy Vice Chancellor portfolios. You will lead continuous improvement, provide expert guidance for decisions, and partner with executives to refine finance processes and policies.

This continuing, full-time role requires postgraduate qualification, staff leadership experience, and strong communication and negotiation

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualifications in a relevant field or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Experience in staff leadership, training, mentoring and performance management.
• Strong communication, negotiation and influencing skills.
• Proactively lead major financial projects.
• Experience in a complex, matrix reporting organisation.

Responsibilities

• Oversee strategic and operational planning across portfolios.
• Provide strategic advice on financial affairs and resources for designated portfolios.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders across the University.
• Oversee development and implementation of financial activities, budgets, reporting and KPIs.
• Ensure financial governance and lead financial business partnering services.

Skills

Staff leadership

Training & mentoring

Performance management

Communication

Negotiation

Influencing

Financial project leadership

Education

Postgraduate qualifications in a relevant field

Job description

Full time, continuing opportunity for an Associate Finance Director to support the University of Sydney's Central Portfolios

Direct the planning and delivery of financial services and initiatives across university senior client groups Offering a competitive remuneration package including 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

The Associate Director Finance will direct the planning and delivery of financial services and initiatives across the University's senior client groups, from the Vice Chancellor Office to various Deputy Vice Chancellor and Vice President portfolios. They ensure alignment with the University's goals and provide expertise on complex financial matters. They lead initiatives for continuous improvement, offer expert guidance for informed decision-making, and build a strong finance partnership with senior executives. They also refine finance processes and policies to address current and future needs.

Key responsibilities

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• oversee strategic and operational planning
• provide strategic advice, support and guidance in relation to the financial affairs and resources for designated portfolios
• develop and maintain excellent working relationships with key stakeholders and staff across the University
• oversee the development and implementation of financial activities, budgets, management reporting and key performance indicators (KPIs)
• ensure financial governance across compliance and lead the financial business partnering services

About you

postgraduate qualifications - In a relevant field or an equivalent combination of training and experience staff leadership, training, mentoring and performance management experience ability to communicate effectively with strong negotiation and influencing skills proactively lead major financial projects experience in a complex, matrix reporting organisation.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

Please note: You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTIQ+. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion.

Our commitment

Our team is expanding, and we want to hire the most talented people we can. Continued success depends on it! So once you've had a chance to explore our current open positions, apply to the ones you feel suit you best and keep track of both your progress in the selection process, and new postings that might interest you! The University values are excellence, trust and accountability. The University of Sydney is committed to diversity and social inclusion. Applications from people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; equity target groups including women, people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTIQ; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment. The University of Sydney may conduct routine pre-employment checks before an appointment is made.

Want to know more

Want to know more about working at the University of Sydney? https://www.sydney.edu.au/about-us.html

Applications Close

Applications Close Friday 09 October 2026 11:59 PM