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
- Apply now to lead research finance partnering and support transformative, externally funded projects across the University.
- 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.
For further information, please refer to the attached PD.
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 korin-korin@unimelb.edu.au
Application essentials:
- Visit "apply with us" to learn more about the process, including tips and FAQs.
- You must have current valid work rights for Australia. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.
- A Working with Children Check is required for all positions. If successful, we will guide you through the process and reimburse you.
- Please upload your resume and a cover letter outlining your interest and experience as part of the application process.
- Please upload a separate document addressing the Selection Criteria outlined in the Position Description.
Want to know more?
- For recruitment adjustments contact Kim Groizard on +61 3 9035 3218 or at hr-careers@unimelb.edu.au (subject: 'Recruitment Adjustments').
Apply today, and join a community that’s shaping the future.
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
