Senior Research Finance Partnering Lead

The University of Melbourne; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 146,000 - 152,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

17% superannuation

Salary packaging

Health and wellbeing programs

Professional development opportunities

Discounts including Bupa health保险

Job summary

The University of Melbourne seeks a Senior Research Finance Partnering Lead to oversee research finance operations across a major Faculty cluster. You will guide researchers through complex funding rules and drive innovation in shared services processes and systems.

You will maintain trusted advisory relationships, lead Research Finance Partnering staff, and coordinate day-to-day operations, enabling optimal resource allocation and accurate reporting.

Qualifications

• Lead budgeting, forecasting and financial management for research portfolios.
• Provide specialist faculty-level advice on complex project portfolios.
• Coach and lead a team of Research Finance Partnering staff.

Responsibilities

• Maintain advisory relationships with senior researchers and Faculty leaders.
• Coordinate day-to-day research finance operations and processes.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of finance shared services models.

Skills

Senior leadership

Research finance

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in finance/accounting

Tools

Financial systems

Job description

Role type: Full Time; Continuing
Department: Research, Innovation and Commercialisation (RIC)
Salary: UoM 9 - $146,049 - $151,951 plus 17% super

• Senior leadership in research finance / shape shared services innovation / enable world-class research impact
• Investing in you - 17% superannuation, benefits package including salary packaging, health and wellbeing programs, discounted services, and professional development opportunities

For further information, please refer to the attached PD.

The University of Melbourne

We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website.

Your next career opportunity

In this senior partnering role, you will lead research finance operations for a major Faculty cluster. You will guide researchers through complex funding rules while driving innovation in shared services processes and systems.

What you will deliver:

• Maintain trusted advisory relationships with senior researchers and Faculty leaders on budgeting, forecasting and research financial management.
• Lead and coach Research Finance Partnering staff, fostering high performance, continuous improvement and strong client service.
• Coordinate day-to-day research finance operations, optimising resource allocation, processes, and enabling technologies across the team.
• Provide specialist faculty-level research finance advice, including reporting, forecasting and budgeting for complex project portfolios.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of people, processes, systems and performance within the finance shared services model.

What we offer you!

We offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits to support your success and sense of fulfilment, including:

• Build future financial security with 17% superannuation
• Supportive flexible work arrangements underpinned by our commitment to inclusion and well-being
• Career development opportunities, including access to a range of tailored programs, such as Academic Women in Leadership, and learning platforms including LinkedIn Learning
• Progressive, considerate leave provisions to empower your work-life balance and well-being, including leading parental leave, gender affirmation leave and cultural leave
• Salary packaging and access to a range of discounted services including Bupa health insurance, and access to unique cultural and recreational benefits such as discounts for the Melbourne Theatre Company
• Health and well-being services including a leading Employee Assistance Program

For more information check out our benefits page!

Your new team

Research Finance sits within Research, Innovation and Commercialisation, enabling the University's research and innovation mission. We provide end-to-end financial support across thousands of externally funded projects, ensuring compliance and transparent reporting to funders. Our team collaborates closely with academic leaders, business development experts and operational finance colleagues across all divisions. We value service excellence, big-picture thinking and attention to detail, creating an innovative, supportive environment for professionals.

Joining us, you contribute directly to world-class research impact while growing your leadership and technical expertise.

Be Yourself

The University of Melbourne is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a child-safe organisation. The diversity of our community enriches us all, and we are committed to creating an inclusive and fair workplace where everyone is valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Discover more about Diversity and Inclusion at UniMelb.

We're committed to a barrier-free recruitment process and ongoing workplace support, providing adjustments throughout. We warmly encourage applications from people with disabilities. Learn more about how we support an accessible recruitment process.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants

We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians. Visit our Indigenous staff page to learn more about our investment and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff. Indigenous applicants are encouraged to connect with Korin Korin, our Indigenous Employment and Development team, via @unimelb.edu.au

Want to know more?

• For queries related to this specific position, contact Connie Killey via email at @unimelb.edu.au
• For questions related to our recruitment process email Alessandro Storani at @unimelb.edu.au

Applications close: Wednesday 18 November 2026 at 11:55 PM

Melbourne time zone.

Position Description:

JR-016946 Senior Research Finance Partnering Lead -PD.docx
JR-016946 Senior Research Finance Partnering Lead -PD.pdf

Hirer responsiveness Salary match Number of applicants

Education, Training & Professional Development More than 10,000 employees

Bring your passion to help us shape the future. The University of Melbourne is a world-leading research and education institution anchored in deep history and future-focused innovation. We are building a thriving, fair, and diverse community where academic and professional staff work in partnership to solve globally significant problems and put students at the heart of everything we do.

Our work goes beyond the campus, benefiting society through transformative education and world-leading research that builds long-term resilience for the challenges of today and tomorrow.

Bring your passion to help us shape the future. The University of Melbourne is a world-leading research and education institution anchored in deep history and future-focused innovation. We are building a thriving, fair, and diverse community where academic and professional staff work in partnership to solve globally significant problems and put students at the heart of everything we do.

Our work goes beyond the campus, benefiting society through transformative education and world-leading research that builds long-term resilience for the challenges of today and tomorrow.

Perks and benefits Competitive Remuneration Work-Life Balance Career Development Health & Wellbeing Services Discounts Dedicated Development for Academic Women Childcare Facilities Discounted Learning

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