Strategic COO & Multi‑University Operations Leader

University of Melbourne; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 250,000 - 380,000; 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 seeks a strategic Chief Operating Officer to lead MACSYS, an ARC Centre of Excellence spanning five universities. You will establish governance, reporting and financial frameworks, and drive integrated planning across partners to support sustainable funding and high-impact outcomes.

You will guide ARC mid-term review preparations, shape strategy, and align distributed teams while ensuring stability and effective operations across the Centre.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience with governance focus.
• Proven ability to manage complex multi-institution arrangements.
• Strong strategic planning and organizational improvement.
• Experience in financial stewardship and multi-account budgeting.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior strategic leadership, setting long-term operational direction and delegating day-to-day delivery to professional staff.
• Develop and implement integrated resource, workforce and infrastructure strategies that support multi-institutional objectives.
• Design governance, reporting and assurance frameworks, including ARC mid-term review processes.
• Oversee financial management across multiple ARC accounts and funding allocations.
• Mobilise and align distributed teams and set clear expectations.

Skills

Senior leadership experience

Governance experience

Strategic planning

Financial stewardship

Communication

Education

Tertiary qualification

Tools

Governance frameworks

Job description

The University of Melbourne seeks a strategic Chief Operating Officer to lead MACSYS, an ARC Centre of Excellence spanning five universities. You will establish governance, reporting and financial frameworks, and drive integrated planning across partners to support sustainable funding and high-impact outcomes.

You will guide ARC mid-term review preparations, shape strategy, and align distributed teams while ensuring stability and effective operations across the Centre.