A unique opportunity to lead, influence and make a difference

Few Chief Financial Officer opportunities offer the combination of scale, complexity, strategic influence and purpose presented by The University of Queensland (UQ). As one of Australia's leading research and teaching universities, and a member of the prestigious Group of Eight, UQ is internationally recognised for its contribution to education, research and innovation. With more than 60,000 students, 8,500 staff and a substantial investment and infrastructure portfolio, UQ operates with the financial and organisational complexity of a major corporation, while pursuing a mission to make a genuine difference to society.

We are seeking an accomplished, commercially astute Chief Financial Officer who looks beyond the numbers, challenges conventional thinking and can help shape UQ’s future. This is not simply a financial stewardship role, you will become a trusted strategic adviser, who leads a significant finance transformation and will influence decisions that will shape one of Australia's most important institutions for years to come.

The role

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, you will lead a finance function of approximately 275 people, and play an influential role across the University's executive and academic leadership.

UQ is in a position of considerable financial strength. However, changing funding models, evolving student markets, significant capital investment, digital transformation and increasing expectations around productivity present important strategic choices. Your challenge will be to ensure Finance is not simply reporting on performance but actively helping the University make better decisions.

Your Priorities Are

Strategic influence: Partner with the Vice-Chancellor, Provost, COO and senior leaders to shape financial strategy, investment priorities and long-term sustainability
Better decision-making: Transform management reporting, planning and forecasting to provide meaningful insights, greater transparency and stronger financial accountability.
Enterprise-wide partnering: Build a finance function recognised as a valued adviser and collaborative partner across academic and professional portfolios.
Leadership and culture: Inspire, develop and empower a large and talented finance team, fostering a culture of trust, curiosity, accountability and continuous improvement.
Financial stewardship: Provide strategic oversight of a substantial balance sheet, significant investment portfolios and major capital and infrastructure commitments.
Finance transformation: Lead the modernisation of the finance operating model, systems, processes and capabilities, creating a more efficient, responsive and commercially focused function.

Success will be measured not just by financial outcomes, but by the quality of decisions you influence, the capability you build and the lasting improvements you deliver.

About You

You are an accomplished senior finance executive who has demonstrated the ability to lead, influence and deliver meaningful change within a large, complex organisation. Your strong commercial judgement, technical financial expertise and a track record of improving organisational performance through better financial insight, effective business partnering and transformation will underpin your success.

You are intellectually curious, self-confident enough to challenge established thinking and sufficiently grounded to listen and collaborate and build genuine trust with all stakeholders. You translate financial complexity into clear, compelling advice and influence outcomes through the quality of your thinking and relationships.

You Must Be Able To Demonstrate

Senior leadership experience in a large, complex and multifaceted organisation of a significant sized team
A successful record of finance transformation, technology enablement and operating-model improvement.
Strong strategic and commercial acumen, supported by relevant tertiary and professional qualifications.
Experience leading and developing substantial teams and building high-performing leadership capability.
Credibility and influence with executive teams, Boards and sophisticated governance stakeholders.
The communication skills, humility and judgement to engage effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders.

Experience in higher education is welcome but not essential. If you are an outstanding finance leaders from major corporations, government and other complex institutional environments who bring fresh perspectives and proven transformation capability, we are interested in hearing from you.

Why consider UQ?

For the right qualified Finance executive, this will allow you to combine the intellectual challenge and commercial complexity of a major enterprise with the purpose and impact of a globally recognised university.

You will inherit a financially strong institution with significant resources, an important strategic agenda and be able to genuinely influence how Finance supports its future. Perhaps most importantly, you will have the chance to build something enduring — a high-performing finance function respected for its leadership, valued for its advice and recognised for its contribution to the University's success.

Are you an established finance Executive who is motivated by more than the next financial result, then this is a conversation worth having. We welcome applications from suitably experienced executives and encourage those who may not be actively considering a career move, but are intrigued by the scale, purpose and potential of this opportunity to make a confidential enquiry.

Application process

UQ has engaged C3 to support this recruitment process. To apply, please click here.

For a confidential discussion, please contact Peter Murphy, Director, C3Talent 0429 703 234, or Kelly Howard 0404 847 848 . Submit your application quoting ref no 1491077

Applications close Sunday 15th November at 6pm.

The University of Queensland

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