Senior Manager (Financial Services)

Lead high-impact financial operations at UniSQ - drive performance and exceptional client service, strengthen compliance while partnering across the University to support sustainable, strategic decision-making.

Who you are

You’re a confident and strategic finance leader who thrives in complex environments and is motivated by delivering high-quality, client-focused financial services. You bring deep expertise in financial operations and a strong understanding of compliance, governance and reporting, paired with the ability to see the bigger picture and influence decision-making.

You’re known for building strong relationships and partnering effectively with stakeholders at all levels, providing clear, practical advice that adds value. A natural leader, you empower your team to perform at their best while driving continuous improvement and innovation.

Organised, proactive and solutions-focused, you take pride in delivering accurate, timely outcomes and in shaping financial services that support long-term sustainability and organisational success.

What you'll do

You’ll lead the delivery of high-quality financial operations that underpin the University’s performance, compliance and long-term sustainability. Overseeing key functions such as accounts payable, receivable, taxation and cashflow, you’ll ensure services are efficient, accurate and client-focused - supporting strong financial stewardship across the organisation.

Working closely with senior leaders, you’ll provide expert advice, strengthen financial controls and drive continuous improvement in systems, processes and service delivery. You’ll play a key role in financial reporting, contributing to monthly and annual outcomes, including the University’s financial statements and audit readiness.

In your first 6–12 months, you’ll build strong stakeholder relationships, enhance service delivery across financial operations, and identify opportunities to improve processes, capability and compliance. You’ll also focus on developing and empowering your team, fostering a high-performing, customer-focused culture.

This is a role where you’ll make a tangible impact - shaping how financial services are delivered, influencing decision-making, and contributing to the University’s strategic and financial success.

What will help you succeed

You bring strong experience in financial operations, supported by a relevant postgraduate qualification in Commerce or Business and professional membership (CAANZ/CPA or equivalent), or an equivalent combination of experience and education.

You’ll thrive in this role if you have:

• Proven leadership experience managing finance teams, with the ability to motivate, develop and drive high performance
• Extensive experience and expertise in financial operations, including accounts payable/receivable, reporting and compliance within complex environments
• Experience supporting the preparation of financial statements, reconciliations and audit processes in line with accounting standards
• A track record of improving systems, processes and controls to enhance efficiency, quality and compliance
• A client-focused mindset, with the ability to build trusted relationships and deliver responsive, high-quality services
• The ability to interpret financial information and provide clear, strategic advice to support decision-making

You’re proactive, solutions-focused and bring a continuous improvement mindset—ready to lead, influence and deliver impact.

For further information about this role, please contact Ms Abby Pilcher, Associate Director (Financial Services) via +61 7 4631 2274 or abby.pilcher@unisq.edu.au.

Building on its strengths as Australia’s leading regional university, UniSQ partners closely with its communities to drive innovation and create opportunity through education and research. Guided by our values of respect, integrity, and excellence, UniSQ’s Strategic Plan 2026–2030 sets a clear ambition: to be Australia’s most transformative university by embracing our regional identity, fostering inclusive learning and research environments, and delivering globally relevant outcomes with strong local impact.

The University offers a range of different ways of working and connecting across our physical and virtual spaces to meet the needs of our students, partners and community. We value diversity and strive to foster an inclusive environment that is underpinned by our values and champions, embraces and respects differences.

We support and encourage applications from all diversity groups. With an increasingly diverse workforce, we understand that careers may be placed on hold or limited throughout many life circumstances.

Find out more about UniSQ at www.unisq.edu.au.

To be considered for this position, you will need to have the right to work in Australia.

Reference Number: 0085_03/26

Location: Toowoomba campus

Term: Full-time continuing appointment (36 hours/week)

Salary: Total remuneration range $160,896 to $170,227 pa (includes salary range of $135,692 to $143,561 pa, employer super contributions of 17% and annual leave loading)

Closes: Monday, 29 June 2026 at 11:30 pm (AEST)

At UniSQ we are united by our core values of Respect, Integrity and Excellence, which guide our daily actions and decision-making. UniSQ is a child safe organisation.

As part of the University of Southern Queensland's commitment to fostering a safe, respectful and rewarding work environment and in compliance with our legal obligations, we require candidates to declare whether they have been investigated for an allegation of Gender Based Violence, or determined to have engaged in conduct that constitutes Gender Based Violence, during the course of their previous employment or in any legal process.

This information helps us meet our legal obligations under the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender Based Violence, and will be considered when determining a candidate's suitability for employment, so that we can keep our University community safe.

If you know that this role is right for you, please submit your current resume together with a two-page (maximum) statement, outlining your skills and experience relative to ‘Who we’re looking for’ in the position description.

For more information on our selection process please refer to your recruitment journey available on our website.

Position Description