Associate Director Operations / COO

Role type: Full-time 1.0 FTE; Fixed-term 3-years, with opportunity to extend

Faculty: Science School/Department: Centre of Excellence for the Mathematical Analysis of Cellular Systems (MACSYS)

Salary: A competitive remuneration package will be offered, plus 17% super

Strategic COO leadership for ARC Centre / deliver stable governance and systems across five universities / mobilise empowered teams Take the lead in shaping MACSYS’ long-term strategy and secure its long-term funding. Investing inyou– 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 opportunityYou will be the strategic operational leader for MACSYS, providing stability, vision and integrated planning. You will design and embed governance, reporting and financial frameworks across five universities and multiple partners. You will lead preparation for the ARC mid‑term review, shaping future funding and Centre‑wide performance expectations.

What you will deliver:

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 sustainable, multi‑institutional Centre objectives. Design governance, reporting and assurance frameworks, including systems for ARC mid‑term review, annual meetings, events and performance. Assure clear and compliant financial management, overseeing multiple ARC accounts, compliance processes and strategic funding allocations across nodes. Mobilise and align distributed teams, setting clear expectations, empowering staff and strengthening appropriate role boundaries and support.

You may be a great fit if you:

Bring a relevant tertiary qualification, extensive senior leadership experience and commitment to stable, long‑term organisational stewardship. Demonstrate deep experience in governance, board‑level reporting and navigating complex politics across multiple funders and partners. Lead strategic planning and organisational improvement, designing systems and frameworks rather than focusing on transactional operations. Excel in financial stewardship, managing complex funding arrangements, compliance rules and multi‑account budgets within tight timeframes. Communicate clearly, delegate effectively and build trust with academics, professional staff and senior external stakeholders. Adapt comfortably to diverse institutional cultures, balancing competing interests and making evidence‑based, pragmatic decisions.

For further information please refer to the attached Candidate Information Pack.

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.

Your new team MACSYS is an Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence uniting five universities and partners across research, training and innovation. The Centre advances mathematical, statistical and computational foundations for modern biological and biomedical science and biotechnology. You will join a dedicated, collaborative community with strong professional support, ready to benefit from sustained strategic leadership.

Be Yourself

In this role, you will bring stability, clear governance and systems, enabling staff to focus on their strengths while you steer multi‑institutional complexity and strategic priorities.

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 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 our Indigenous Employment & Development team at korin-korin@unimelb.edu.au

Applications close: Sunday 4 October 2026 11:55 PM; Melbourne time zone.

Position Description:

Candidate Information Pack - JR-018409 Associate Director Operations COO.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. 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. Your contributions are the driving force behind our ambition to be a leading force for positive change. Join us, and let's advance Melbourne – and the world – together. Discover more The University has committed to a strategic vision which aims to create a thriving, fair and diverse university community, working together respectfully to make a difference to each other and in the world. Join us on our journey to build a future where everyone in our community can feel a strong sense of belonging, and diverse perspectives fuel success. Discover more Want to know more about us, our processes, or future opportunities? We would love to connect with you! Get in touch with our friendly Talent Acquisition team at hr-careers@unimelb.edu.au

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