Finance Operations Manager

RMIT University; Bellprat; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Salary benefits

Health insurance

Childcare

Language classes

Restaurant benefits

Job summary

RMIT Europe, based in Barcelona, is seeking a Finance Operations Manager to lead the finance function for the European arm of the University. This full-time, hybrid role covers budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, cash flow, payroll, and day-to-day operations, with a strong emphasis on compliance, governance, and EU-funded project administration.

Fluency in English is essential, and Spanish knowledge is required for local statutory obligations.

Qualifications

• Eight+ years in financial management, accounting, taxation, and statutory reporting within complex organisations.
• Experience managing EU-funded projects and audits.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management in an international environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead RMIT Europe’s finance function with governance and compliance.
• Provide strategic financial advice to support planning and sustainability.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, reporting, cash flow, payroll, and daily operations.
• Ensure statutory, taxation, regulatory, and University reporting compliance.
• Manage financial administration and compliance of EU-funded projects.
• Lead risk management, internal controls, and audits.
• Drive improvements of financial systems, processes, and reporting.

Skills

Finance leadership

Budgeting & forecasting

Stakeholder management

Spanish & English

Job description

Overview:Based in Barcelona, collaborative and dynamic international teamHigh level proficiency in EnglishFull time, continuing roleWe are seeking a Finance Operations Manager to lead the Finance function for RMIT Europe, a separate legal entity and wholly owned subsidiary of RMIT University. The position is responsible for the operational management of all financial activities, ensuring compliance with Spanish statutory requirements, taxation obligations, University policies, and broader governance frameworks.The position leads a small team that partners with the business to support operations, and provides financial leadership across a portfolio of European Union funded projects, ensuring compliance with funding regulations, effective financial management, successful audit outcomes, and high-quality reporting to funding agencies and stakeholders.Success in this role requires extensive technical expertise in financial management, statutory reporting, taxation and governance, combined with demonstrated leadership capability, experience managing finance teams, strong stakeholder engagement skills, and the ability to influence decision-making in a complex international environment.What will you be accountable for?Lead and manage RMIT Europe’s finance function, ensuring strong financial governance, compliance, and stewardship.Provide strategic financial advice and insights to support organisational planning, decision-making, and long-term sustainability.Oversee budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, cash flow, payroll, and day-to-day financial operations.Ensure compliance with statutory, taxation, regulatory, and RMIT University reporting requirements.Manage the financial administration and compliance of EU-funded research and innovation projects.Lead financial risk management, internal controls, and audit activities to safeguard organisational resources.Drive continuous improvement of financial systems, processes, policies, and reporting frameworks.Develop and lead a high-performing finance team, fostering collaboration, capability development, and service excellence.Let’s talk about youAt least eight years’ experience in financial management, accounting, taxation, and statutory reporting within complex organisations.Strong expertise in budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, management reporting, and business partnering.Sound knowledge of Spanish accounting, taxation, compliance, and corporate governance requirements.Experience managing the financial administration and compliance of EU-funded projects and audits.Proven ability to lead finance functions, manage risk and controls, and develop high-performing teams.Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with fluency in Spanish and English.DesirableKnowledge of financial reporting requirements of not-for-profit entities in Spain.Knowledge of European funding programmes.Knowledge of education sector, and experience working in a university or research centre.Who is RMIT Europe?We’re the creative and dynamic European hub of RMIT University. Based in the heart of Barcelona, our focus is on successfully extending RMIT’s international engagement and strategically growing the University’s collaborative research and education activity in Europe.We facilitate RMIT's collaboration in the development of innovative pan-European projects attracting global knowledge from Europe, Australia, and Asia to deliver local impact. We’re a collaborative and dynamic international team, passionate about driving impact through our work, celebrating our achievement.About the team.You’ll be joining an ambitious team of experienced professionals who are passionate about making a difference and delivering real impact. Benefits of working at RMIT Europe include hybrid working arrangements, flexible salary benefits (transport, health insurance, childcare, and restaurants) and free languages classes.Here’s how to apply:Please submit your CV and covering letter outlining your suitability for this position by clicking on the ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page.For further information about this position, please see the Position Description hyperlinked below.Position Description – Finance Operations ManagerPlease note, if you are viewing this advert from an external site, please click ‘apply’ and you will be redirected to RMIT's Jobs website to access the Position Description at the bottom of the page.Applications Close:15 nov 2026 11.59 pmRMIT Europe is the European hub of RMIT University, one of Australia's largest tertiary institutions. Based in Barcelona, we're focused on expanding RMIT’s reputation as a global university of technology, design and enterprise.