Financial Performance operates within the VP Finance portfolio and supports the University’s objectives and strategic directions by providing leadership on financial performance and management. 

Financial Performance provides reliable accurate and timely information relating to financial performance to the University Council,

the Executive team and managers of all business units, and facilitates the University’s budget and forecasting processes that include profit, capital expenditure and cashflow elements.

Southern Cross University is seeking a strategic and commercially astute finance leader to head our Finance Business Partnering function.

Reporting to the Director, Financial Performance, you will lead a team of specialists who partner with Executives and senior leaders to deliver insights that drive performance,

inform strategy and strengthen financial sustainability.

This is a high-impact leadership role where you will shape decision-making at scale, enhance financial governance and embed a proactive, client-focused business partnering model across the University.

You will make an impact by:

• Leading a well-established and high-performing Finance Business Partner team to deliver trusted, strategic advice to senior leaders
• Partnering with the Financial Performance data and analytics team to deliver reporting that is focused and provides actionable insights
• Driving improved budget management, forecasting accuracy and financial sustainability
• Strengthening governance, controls and risk management across portfolios
• Embedding continuous improvement and innovation in financial processes and reporting
• Assisting the Director, Financial Performance and VP Finance with reporting to our external Finance Committee and University Council
• Working collaboratively with the wider Finance team on standard reporting processes (month end, annual report)

What you will bring

You are a commercially astute finance leader, with CPA or CAANZ membership and extensive experience partnering with senior executives to influence performance and decision-making.

You bring strong leadership capability, advanced financial planning and analytics expertise, and the ability to translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights.

You are confident operating in complex environments, committed to strong governance and continuous improvement, and build trusted relationships through clear communication, collaboration and credibility.

To succeed in this role, you will also need:

• Proven experience communicating effectively with Executives and influencing strategic financial outcomes
• Strong leadership capability with a track record of building high-performing teams
• Advanced financial planning, reporting and analytics expertise (ERP and BI systems), and willingness to engage with AI functionality
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to communicate complex insights clearly

It’s not essential, but we’d love it if you had experience within Higher Education or another large, complex organisation where you have supported enterprise-wide operations. 

Your opportunity is:

• Full-time, continuing (permanent) 
• Located at either our Gold Coast campus, or Lismore campuses. Relocation assistance is available, making it easier to join our regional communities.

The level of appointment will be commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications, skills and experience.

You will enjoy a range of perks designed to support your wellbeing, growth and work-life balance.

For more information on our benefits and what it’s like to work at SCU, visit Why work at Southern Cross University?

Be more with Southern Cross University today

Southern Cross University values potential as much as experience.

If you do not meet all the listed requirements but are excited about the role and confident you can contribute, we encourage you to apply or reach out for more information.

Name: Dave Elmer

Email: dave.elmer@scu.edu.au

Applications close 11.30pm AEDT 23 March 2026.

To apply for this position, push the website button above.

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