"Financial Operations Lead (Philanthropy)"

Job Description

• Full‑time, Ongoing position at HEW Level 7.
• Parramatta South campus with flexible working arrangements.
• Salary: $104,953 – $113,204 per annum, plus 17% Super and Leave Loading.

Lead philanthropy financial operations to protect donor intent and uplift gift governance.

The Opportunity

As the Financial Operations Lead (Philanthropy), you will be the central point of oversight for the University’s philanthropic gift processing, funds management, and donor‑related financial stewardship. This role is integral to strengthening institutional processes that protect donor intent, support compliant financial operations, and enhance the donor experience.

You will work closely with the Office of Advancement, central Finance, Information Technology and Digital Services (ITDS), and the Office of the Deputy Vice‑Chancellor Western Sydney and External Engagement (WS&EE) to ensure that philanthropy‑related financial data is accurate, reconciled, and readily accessible. Your expertise will guide improvements to systems, workflows, and reporting practices that enable high‑quality decision making across the advancement portfolio. You will also work with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (WS&EE) and respective divisional areas to manage budgets and forecasting, and input into relevant systems.

In this role, you will also coordinate forecasting and budget processes, provide authoritative financial advice, and steward critical donor‑facing financial information. You will help uplift operational capability by documenting processes, reducing reliance on corporate memory, and identifying opportunities for system integration and process optimisation that enhance efficiency and mitigate risk.

What Success Looks Like:

• Deliver accurate and timely gift processing, from receipting through to allocation and fund disbursement, in line with donor intent and University policies.
• Maintain high‑quality fund records, pledge schedules, and reporting that support internal planning and donor stewardship.
• Produce compliant reconciliations, ageing reports, fund statements, and financial extracts that are validated and audit‑ready.
• Partner with colleagues across Advancement, Finance, ITDS, and WS&EE to enhance process efficiency, system alignment, and financial integrity.
• Coordinate effective budget preparation, submissions, and philanthropic revenue forecasts in collaboration with key leaders.

Please refer to the Position Description for full details.

About You

• Demonstrated experience in philanthropic gift processing, fund administration, and financial stewardship in a higher education or not‑for‑profit environment.
• Strong understanding of donor intent, gift lifecycle management, and relevant legal, tax, and compliance frameworks.
• High proficiency with CRM and financial systems, ideally including Raiser’s Edge, online payment platforms, TM1, or Oracle.
• Excellent attention to detail, with the ability to manage complex data sets with accuracy and audit‑ready rigor.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams and translate financial information for non‑specialist audiences.

Benefits

We invest in the people who make our mission possible. Beyond a rewarding career, we offer a suite of benefits designed to support your physical, financial, and family wellbeing:

• Fitness Passport: Access hundreds of gyms and pools across the state.
• Onsite Childcare: Convenient facilities with exclusive staff discounts and salary packaging options.
• Financial Benefits: Salary sacrifice options for onsite parking and novated motor vehicle leasing,
• Holistic Support: Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP) along with discounted retail and private health cover.

Application Details

• Position Enquiries: Direct to Christian Burden, Executive Director, Advancement via C.Burden@westernsydney.edu.au. Please include the job reference code REF339I. 
• Closing Date: 11:59pm, Tuesday 24 February 2026.
• Working Rights: You must provide evidence of full-time working rights in Australia at application.
• How to Apply: Please note that only applications submitted via the University’s online recruitment system will be considered.

Belonging at Western

We are committed to substantive equality as outlined in our Equal Opportunity Policy. We actively encourage applications from Indigenous Australians, candidates of all gender identities and expressions, people of all abilities, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

For Reasonable Adjustments during the application process, please contact talentacquisitionteam@westernsydney.edu.au.

About Western

This is your opportunity to be part of something bigger. By joining Western Sydney University, you become a valued member of our community. As our region changes, so too does our university. Western is boldly different, energetic, global, diverse, dynamic, and youthful.

Our mission is to deliver student success, impactful research, and stronger communities. As part of our team, you will have a stake in shaping the future of education, broadening horizons, and changing lives. Making a difference starts at Western.

For the latest please visit our website and LinkedIn.