Director, Financial Control and Compliance

Director, Financial Control and Compliance – UNSW. Join to apply for the Director, Financial Control and Compliance role at UNSW

UNSW is one of the worlds leading research and teaching-intensive universities, known for innovative, pioneering research and high-quality education outputs, influencing significant global societal impacts.

UNSW isnt like other places you may have worked; yes were a large organisation with a diverse and talented community; a community doing extraordinary things. Working together our UNSW community is collectively driven to be thoughtful, practical, and purposeful in all we do. Taking this combined approach is what makes our work matter. Its the reason were one of the top 20 universities in the world and a member of Australias prestigious Group of Eight.

You will be joining UNSW during an exciting and transformative period, and this role will certainly play a pivotal part as both an enabler of much of the good work already in place in the financial control and compliance frameworks, but also with a future view on identifying opportunities and the potential to raise the profile of the function and to optimise process efficiencies.

As the Director Financial Control and Compliance you will work closely with other assurance functions within UNSW and broader sector assurance bodies including, but not limited to, Audit Office NSW and NSW Treasury. This role is pivotal to the delivery of strategic technical financial advice to senior business leaders across the organisation and will influencing policy stances more broadly across the sector.

You will also be responsible for leading and managing the overall financial control, governance and compliance strategies for UNSW and its controlled entities, supporting all relevant statutory reporting obligations, and be accountable that all underlying accounting transactions comply with Australian Accounting Standards and relevant NSW Treasury guidance and are prepared in accordance with the Australian equivalent of International Financial Reporting Standards.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a dynamic and forward-thinking Director of Financial Control and Compliance. Were seeking a leader who thrives on transformative change, brings both technical and operational excellence, and is energised by complex problem-solving. Youll oversee critical areas including international tax and consolidation of multiple entities; supporting responses for ICAC, GIPA, and PID compliance; whilst driving financial policy and process optimisation.

This role would suit a technically astute, practical and collegial individual who has a sound grasp of complex governance and compliance frameworks in a highly regulated sector with a natural propensity to lead and develop their team. Someone who is also able to pivot to the multi-facetted nature of this role which as has accountability for many disciplines including but not limited to: Financial Reporting/Audit Management, Governance, Financial Controls, Tax Compliance, Policy Development and Process Optimisation, Strategic Leadership and Risk Management.

The ideal candidate is solutions-focused, highly collaborative, and motivated to shape best-practice financial governance that enables innovation and impact.

• Tertiary qualification and CA or CPA Qualification with substantial successful experience managing multi-faceted financial/statutory accounting functions in a large and complex organisation (note: Higher Education experience is not necessarily essential).
• Significant successful experience in the planning, and management of statutory audit in a large and complex organisation.
• Extensive experience in development and implementation of internal financial control framework in support of relevant statutory obligations as well as relevant internal fiscal policies and procedures.
• Extensive experience in the development and implementation of system and process in support of local and international tax compliance.
• Demonstrated capacity for analytical and conceptual thought in the diagnosis of sensitive and complex business issues and in providing innovative and practical solutions on a timely basis.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder management skills, with a demonstrated ability to inform, persuade and negotiate successfully with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Proven skills in developing internal business partnership services which deliver high quality financial support and advisory services to business units.
• Extensive team management experience to manage multi team performance and develop staff capabilities.
• Knowledge and understanding of the higher education sector.

For further information on the role and responsibilities, please refer to the Position Description.

Submit your CV & Cover Letter detailing your interest and suitability for the job (as per the skills & experience bullet points in the job description) before Sunday 14th September by 11:55pm.

Please note: Sponsorship is not available for this role, valid Australian working rights are required on application.

UNSW Benefits and Culture: People are at the core of everything we do. We recognise it is the contributions of our staff who make UNSW one of the best universities in Australia and the world. Our benefits include:

• Flexible Working Options (work from home, flexible hours etc)
• Additional 3 days leave during December festive period.
• Career development opportunities
• Up to 50% discount on UNSW courses
• Flexible 17% Superannuation contributions, additional leave-loading payments and salary sacrifice.
• Discounts and entitlements (retail, education, fitness passport)

UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff.