Finance Manager

Location: Camperdown, Sydney, NSW

• Full Time (35h),
• 12-month fixed-term opportunity with strong potential for extension - Immediate Start!
• Hands-on Finance Manager role with strong compliance and operational focus
• Opportunity to strengthen systems, controls and finance processes across USU

About The Role

At USU, we’re looking for a hands-on and proactive Finance Manager to lead a key part of our finance function through an important period of operational improvement and finance process uplift.

This role is suited to someone who enjoys building strong operational foundations — improving processes, strengthening controls, embedding compliance and supporting and developing a finance team in a practical and collaborative way.

Reporting to the Director of Finance, you’ll oversee the day-to-day delivery of your portfolio within the finance function, partnering closely with stakeholders across the business to deliver accurate reporting, operational support and continuous improvement initiatives.

While the role partners closely with senior stakeholders, it is also a hands-on leadership role requiring someone comfortable staying close to operational finance, compliance and process improvement activities, while helping create structure, clarity and stability within a complex and evolving environment. At USU, we’re looking for a hands-on and proactive Finance Manager to lead our finance function through an important period of operational improvement and finance process uplift.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

• Leading the day-to-day and supporting a small finance team
• Strengthening finance processes, controls and operational governance practices
• Overseeing compliance across areas including GST, BAS, FBT and ACNC reporting
• Preparing and reviewing monthly reporting, balance sheet reconciliations and financial commentary
• Supporting budgeting, forecasting and cashflow management
• Coordinating external audit requirements and supporting audit readiness across the function
• Reviewing and improving finance policies, procedures and process documentation
• Identifying opportunities to improve systems, reporting and operational efficiency
• Partnering with stakeholders across the business to provide practical financial support, insight and guidance
• Supporting the ongoing development of scalable finance processes, documentation and knowledge sharing practices

What You Bring

You’re someone who enjoys improving environments, solving problems and building strong operational foundations.

You’re calm under pressure, adaptable and comfortable working within evolving environments. You’re able to balance technical rigour with a practical, collaborative and solutions-focused approach.

You’ll Likely Bring

• CPA or CA qualification
• Strong hands-on experience across finance operations, compliance and reporting
• Practical experience with GST, BAS and FBT compliance
• Experience improving controls, policies, processes and documentation
• Strong audit, compliance and risk management capability
• Experience working within complex or multi-stakeholder environments
• A willingness to stay close to operational finance work and support the team where needed
• Strong judgement, accountability and stakeholder management skills

Experience within NFP, education or member-based environments will be highly regarded.

WHY JOIN USU?

USU is a purpose-driven organisation focused on creating an exceptional university experience for students.

This role offers the opportunity to make a genuine impact — not just through reporting and compliance, but by helping strengthen and shape the future of the finance function.

You’ll join a collaborative environment where continuous improvement, accountability and practical problem solving are valued

Benefits

• 8 days of extra paid leave per year
• 35 hour work week
• Work from home, 1 day per week
• Meal card for food and beverage - $15 per day
• 17.5% annual leave loading
• Complimentary USU Rewards membership (discounts on and off campus)
• Commitment to ongoing learning & development

APPLICATIONS CLOSE

Tuesday, 9 June 2026, 11:59 PM

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and early submission is highly encouraged to ensure timely consideration.

How To Apply

You must have the right to live and work in Australia to apply for this role.

Please review the position description and submit your resume and optional cover letter via the online application form below.

Please note: applications cannot be saved and completed at a later stage.

About The Usu

The USU (University of Sydney Union) is proudly Australia’s oldest and largest not-for-profit student organisation, dedicated to providing students with the best possible university experience.

Led by a student board elected by our members, the USU provides fun things on campus, such as festivals, events and parties. We manage a diverse range of programs, including an active volunteering program and a Language Exchange, to name a few. In addition, we support over 200 Clubs and Societies as well as operate bars, food and retail outlets across campus, providing great coffee, affordable fresh food, graduation gown hire and official USYD merchandise.

We are committed to promoting a workplace of equal opportunities. We promote healthy living and aims to protect the health and safety of staff, members and visitors to the University by providing a Smoke-Free Workplace. We do not accept unsolicited agency applications.

USU is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). We’re committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage applicants from all walks of life. Help make us better by joining our team.