Finance Business Partner

The Opportunity

As a Finance Business Partner supporting the research community at the University of the Sunshine Coast, you play a pivotal role in ensuring the precise and timely reporting of financial transactions. You'll actively provide value-added financial and business services to both internal and external stakeholders.

Collaborating closely with designated business units, this role offers financial analysis and support, guiding financial decisions aligned with enabling research outcomes in keeping with funding body terms and conditions and the University's strategic objectives and policies. With a strong client focus, you will enhance financial management, control, and advisory services across departments, fostering a deeper understanding of financial performance and facilitating achievement of operational goals. Your contributions will be integral to preparing and delivering financial and management reports, overseeing budgeting and planning processes, and ensuring adherence to professional accounting standards and regulatory requirements, thus safeguarding the University's financial integrity and compliance with funding mandates.

You will work as part of Financial Services, a central division within the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, which provides strategic and operational financial leadership. The division is responsible for financial advisory, procurement, governance, and core financial functions including budgeting, taxation, statutory reporting, and grant management. Through continuous improvement initiatives and system development, Financial Services drives the University’s financial sustainability and plays a critical role in supporting its long-term success.

You will

• partner with client groups, influencing and shaping financial plans, helping to ensure high-quality financial decisions are made to achieve outstanding performance.;
• strengthen the University’s financial systems by shaping and refining frameworks, tools and processes that support sound budget and agreement management, while meeting legislative, funding and accounting standards;
• provide financial expertise that drives improved performance across the research community and operational business units; and
• ensure the accuracy and integrity of UniSC’s financial records by preparing clear, timely reconciliations and working papers that keep us compliant and ready to deliver on our commitments.

About you

You’re someone who brings more than just numbers to the table. Our ideal candidate is a trusted partner – curious, collaborative and commercially minded – who’s ready to shape smarter financial decisions across the University. You’ll thrive on helping teams understand the story behind the data, identifying opportunities for improvement, and navigating complex budgets, research funding, and compliance requirements with clarity and confidence. You're passionate about continuous improvement, and you approach challenges with a blend of strategic thinking and practical know-how. If you're ready to make a real impact and connect your work to something bigger, this role could be a great fit.

You will possess :

• A relevant degree (or equivalent training / experience) and at least four years’ experience working with financial systems in a medium to large organisation
• Experience in financial management of projects within externally funded grant terms and conditions
• CPA qualified member of CPA Australia or equivalent (desirable)
• Proven experience preparing and analysing high-level financial reports, ideally in a higher education or similar environment
• The ability to review and improve financial policies and processes to deliver practical, lasting efficiencies
• Experience developing and implementing financial tools such as business cases and reporting frameworks, with a focus on usability and education
• Strong skills in TechnologyOne CiA, Power BI and Excel to analyse and present financial data
• The ability to work independently and within a team, adjusting to changing needs
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage priorities and meet deadlines
• Clear communication skills to explain financial information to a range of audiences
• Strong relationship skills, with the ability to understand client needs, offer accurate advice and work in partnership with others

UniSC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, women in STEM, First Nations Peoples, and individuals of diverse cultures, genders, abilities, and experiences. We value achievement relative to opportunity and encourage your commentary on your achievements in this context. For additional support during the application process, please contact us at unisc-careers@usc.edu.au or call +61 7 5430 2830.

Position Description :   493429 - Finance Business Partner

UniSC values a diverse and talented workforce and invites applications from candidates who already have legal work rights in Australia.

UniSC does not accept unsolicited applications. For agency inquiries, contact unisc-careers@usc.edu.au

Applications for this position close midnight, Thursday 17 July 2025.

Your completed application must include :

• a resume and a statement of suitability (not to exceed two pages), which be reviewed in alignment to the specified selection criteria as outlined within the position description.

Further information regarding how to prepare your application is available on our website : Join our team

We would love the opportunity to get to know you better, but we know it works both ways. To get to know a little more about us, visit us at : Welcome to UniSC and LinkedIn Life

Have questions or want to know more? For a confidential discussion, please contact :

Jodi Marchant

Associate Director, Financial Management & Commercial

Telephone : 07 5409 8663

Email : jmarchant@usc.edu.au

Discover UniSC

We're all about doing work that matters, connecting with great people, and being part of an incredible journey. We’re not the biggest university. But we’re growing every day, and doing big things. Like ground-breaking research, championing sustainability, producing gold-winning athletes and award-winning alumni.

We're one of the fastest growing universities in Australia, growing to over 2,000 people across 5 campuses in South East Queensland.

Teaching excellence is at the heart of what we do, and our commitment to sustainability is integrated into our teaching, research, and daily operations. Our research tackles the most pressing challenges of our time, with 26 research fields ranked at or above world standard according to the Excellence in Research for Australia Rankings. At UniSC you will have the opportunity to contribute to the educational landscape for future generations.

We foster a collaborative and supportive environment, encouraging continuous professional development and providing resources to enhance your career. We recognise and value the contributions of each team member to our culture and success. We're not afraid to be different, and we're looking for people who share our values and want to be part of a team that is working together to improve our local and global challenges.

Our Culture & Benefits :

• Our collaborative, passionate and welcoming culture is what really sets us apart.
• Modern teaching & research facilities.
• Professional development and career pathway opportunities.
• We are a proud recipient of the prestigious Athena SWAN Bronze Award, granted as part of the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) initiative.
• Flexible work arrangements & generous leave options.
• Salary packing options + 17% Super.
• EAP, fitness passport & discounted private health.