Finance Business Partner

Full-time fixed term role until the end of January 2028

Be Challenged and Imagine with us

We are seeking a commercially minded Finance Business Partner to join the University of Newcastle’s Financial Services team.

This is an opportunity to move beyond traditional financial reporting and play a key role in shaping business decisions across the University. Working closely with leaders across your portfolio, you will provide trusted financial advice and insight to support planning, investment, performance and long-term sustainability.

You’ll bring together financial analysis, commercial thinking and strong stakeholder relationships to help leaders understand what the numbers mean, identify opportunities and make well-informed decisions.

From developing budgets and forecasts to evaluating business cases and course profitability, you’ll have the opportunity to influence decisions that have a genuine impact across the University.

About you

You’ll be a qualified or experienced finance professional who enjoys working with people as much as working with numbers. You’ll be confident analysing financial information, but equally comfortable stepping into a conversation with senior leaders and explaining what it means for their business.

We’re looking for someone who can:

• bring strong financial analysis, planning and forecasting capability
• apply commercial thinking to business cases, investment decisions and performance
• build trusted relationships and influence stakeholders at different levels
• communicate financial information clearly to non-financial audiences
• think strategically while maintaining a strong understanding of operational detail
• identify opportunities, challenge constructively and contribute to better ways of working.

Your core responsibilities will be to: 

• Partner with leaders to understand their priorities, challenges and opportunities, providing practical financial advice that supports sound decision-making.
• Lead financial planning, budgeting and forecasting for your portfolio, providing insightful variance analysis and helping leaders understand and manage their financial performance.
• Translate complex financial information into meaningful insights, using analysis and reporting to identify trends, opportunities and areas requiring attention.
• Build strong relationships across Financial Services and the wider University, ensuring financial advice is connected to operational priorities and organisational objectives.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes and ways of working, helping make financial planning, reporting and decision-making more efficient and effective.

About our University

The University of Newcastle stands as a global leader distinguished by a commitment to equity and excellence. Our vision is to be a world-leading University for our regions and creating a better future for our regions and the globe. Underpinned by this vision and our values of excellence, equity, engagement and sustainability, the University of Newcastle’s Looking Ahead Strategic Plan 2030 outlines the University’s commitment to delivering an exceptional student experience and serving our communities. 

For more information click here – Our University. 

What we offer

In addition to working for a university that is breaking boundaries, discovering new ways of thinking and cementing a place as a global leader, we offer a range of benefits to our employees to ensure you balance your commitments, stay healthy and work effectively. 

These include: 

• A remuneration of $120677 - $140791 + 17% superannuation commensurate with skills and experience
• Excellent employment conditions in line with University of Newcastle professional staff conditions.
• Flexible working arrangements (in line with the University’s Flexible Work Policy
• 35 hour week
• Salary packaging
• Additional University Holiday days, generous personal leave and parental leave, annual leave loading and additional purchased leave scheme
• Discounts in private health insurance, gym memberships, software, travel and more
• Wellbeing programs

This fixed term role is full time at a HEW 8 Higher Education Worker Level until the end of January 2028 and is located at Callaghan Campus.

Your next steps 

Please visit here for a guide on how to apply for a role. 

If viewing this on a job board other than the University's please click ‘Apply’ to reach the University's website, where a copy of the Position Description can be accessed. Please download a copy before commencing your application. 

Your application must include: 

• Your resume
• A cover letter outlining your motivation to apply for this opportunity
• A statement addressing the Essential Criteria listed in the job description demonstrating your qualifications and experience with examples.

To ensure that your application receives full consideration, it's important to structure and address the selection criteria outlined in the application process. This helps us better understand your experience and suitability for the role. We appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to reviewing your application.

Please upload your Cover Letter and response to the requested Criteria as one PDF document.

Your Cover Letter and Response to the Essential Criteria should not exceed 4 pages (approximately 2,000 words).

Applications for this position will only be accepted from those with Australian residency or a valid work permit. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. 

For specific position enquiries, please contact Luke Rossi, Senior Manager, Business Partners (02) 49854918 or email  Luke.Rossi@newcastle.edu.au

Having Difficulties? Please reach out to us: employment@newcastle.edu.au

Closing date: Wednesday 21^st October 2026@ 11.59pm AEDST

Our assessment process

Typically, candidates that progress beyond the shortlist stage can expect to undertake the following (minimum) assessment activities as part of the recruitment process:

• Interview (an ‘in person’ interview will be conducted as part of the process)
• Referee checks
• Pre-employment checks as appropriate to the role 

Our University is committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for every member of our community. This commitment is central to our values and our efforts to build a diverse workforce where everyone can thrive. 

As part of this, and in alignment with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence 2025, from 1 January 2026, the University will also consider gender-based violence risk factors as part of our recruitment processes. 

The completion and return of the University’s Gender-based Violence Declaration Form will form part of the pre-employment checks for this position and any offer of employment will be conditional upon review by the University. 

Our adherence to the Code is about more than compliance—it’s about living our values. Together, we can ensure our University remains a place where respect, safety, and inclusion are non-negotiable. 

We are excited to be Looking Ahead with you

We are committed to a fair, inclusive, and barrier-free recruitment process. If you require an alternative way to access the Position Description or submit your application, please contact employment@newcastle.edu.au.

Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the assessment and interview process to support all applicants to participate fully.

The University of Newcastle is an equal opportunity employer committed to equity, diversity, and social inclusion. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and strongly encourage women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to apply.

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