Senior Research Finance Partnering Lead

UOM 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

Discounted services

Professional development opportunities

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

The University of Melbourne invites applications for a Senior Research Finance Partnering Lead. You will lead research finance operations for a major Faculty cluster, guiding researchers through complex funding rules and driving shared services innovation.

You will maintain trusted advisory relationships with senior researchers and Faculty leaders on budgeting, forecasting and finance management, and lead a high-performance team delivering continuous improvement across processes and systems.

Qualifications

• Hold a relevant business degree plus CA, CPA or equivalent professional accounting qualification.
• Bring extensive experience managing research funding from multiple agencies, ensuring compliance and sector best practice.
• Lead professional finance teams, applying contemporary leadership, coaching and performance management to build capability.
• Demonstrate strong financial modelling skills and the ability to interpret complex data for senior stakeholders.
• Adapt effectively within complex matrix structures, championing business improvement initiatives and continuous process enhancement.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Financial modelling

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Budgeting & forecasting

Education

Business degree

CA/CPA or equivalent

Tools

ERP 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.

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.

You may be a great fit if you:

• Hold a relevant business degree plus CA, CPA or equivalent professional accounting qualification.
• Bring extensive experience managing research funding from multiple agencies, ensuring compliance and sector best practice.
• Lead professional finance teams, applying contemporary leadership, coaching and performance management to build capability.
• Demonstrate strong financial modelling skills and the ability to interpret complex data for senior stakeholders.
• Adapt effectively within complex matrix structures, championing business improvement initiatives and continuous process enhancement.
• Manage diverse stakeholders with excellent organisational skills, prioritising competing deadlines while delivering responsive client service.

What we offer you!

• 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.

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

Explore leadership opportunities to shape the future and growth of the University of Melbourne - Executive Opportunities

Welcome to the University of Melbourne - where our vision for positive societal change creates impact. Join our community of world-class thinkers, where innovation thrives, and your ideas shape the future. Why choose us? You'll work among the best, pushing the boundaries of knowledge with passion. Whether you're driving groundbreaking research, inspiring the next generation through teaching, or providing essential professional services, we empower you to excel. At the University of Melbourne, your potential is our priority. Elevate your career, make a real difference, and be part of a diverse community that values your unique contribution.

Your journey to professional and personal growth starts here. Discover more at - https://about.unimelb.edu.au/ At the heart of our mission is a commitment to enriching society through education and research. Through our strategy "Advancing Melbourne," we're not just shaping our own future; we're shaping the future of the state, the nation, and our global community. Together, we propel Australia forward, positioning it as an ambitious, forward-thinking leader on the world stage. Our staff play a key role in elevating Australia's reputation and influence globally.

Join us, and let's advance Melbourne - and the world - together. Discover more