Associate Director Operations / COO

Role type:Full-time 1.0 FTE; Fixed-term 3-years, with opportunity to extend
Faculty:Science
School/Department:Centre of Excellence for the Mathematical Analysis of Cellular Systems (MACSYS)

Salary:A competitiveremunerationpackage will be offered,plus 17% super

• Strategic COO leadership for ARC Centre /deliverstable governance and systems across five universities / mobilise empowered teams

• Take the lead in shaping MACSYS’ long-term strategyand secure itslong-termfunding.

• Investing in you – 17% superannuation, benefits package including salary packaging, health and wellbeing programs, discounted services, and professional development opportunities.  

The University of Melbourne
We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission tobenefitsociety through the transformative impact of education and research.Discover more via our website.

Your next career opportunity
You will be the strategic operational leader for MACSYS, providing stability,visionand integrated planning.You will design and embed governance, reporting and financial frameworks across five universities and multiple partners.You will lead preparation for the ARC mid-term review, shaping future funding and Centre-wide performance expectations.

Whatyou willdeliver:

• Provide senior strategic leadership, setting long-term operational direction and delegating day-to-day delivery to professional staff.

• Develop and implement integrated resource, workforce and infrastructure strategies that support sustainable, multi-institutional Centreobjectives.

• Design governance, reporting and assurance frameworks, including systems for ARC mid-term review, annual meetings,eventsand performance.

• Assure clear and compliantfinancial management, overseeing multiple ARC accounts, complianceprocessesand strategic funding allocations across nodes.

• Mobilise and align distributed teams, setting clear expectations, empoweringstaffandstrengtheningappropriate roleboundaries and support.
  

You maybe a great fitifyou:

• Bring a relevant tertiary qualification, extensive senior leadershipexperienceand commitment to stable, long-term organisational stewardship.

• Demonstrate deep experience in governance, board-level reporting and navigating complex politics across multiple funders and partners.

• Lead strategic planning and organisational improvement, designing systems and frameworks rather than focusing on transactional operations.

• Excel in financial stewardship, managing complex funding arrangements, compliancerulesand multi-account budgets within tighttimeframes.

• Communicate clearly, delegate effectively and build trust with academics, professionalstaffand senior external stakeholders.

• Adapt comfortably to diverse institutional cultures, balancing competing interests and making evidence-based, pragmatic decisions.
  

For furtherinformationplease refer to the attached Candidate Information Pack.

What we offer you!
We offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits to support your success and sense offulfilment, including:

• Build future financial security with 17% superannuation.

• Supportive flexible work arrangements underpinned by our commitment to inclusion and well-being.

• Career development opportunities, including access to a range of tailored programs, such as Academic Women in Leadership, and learning platforms including LinkedIn Learning.

• Progressive, considerate leave provisions to empower your work-life balanceand well-being, includingleading parental leave,gender affirmation leave and cultural leave.

• Salary packaging and access to a range of discounted services including Bupa health insurance, and access to unique cultural and recreational benefits such asdiscounts for the Melbourne Theatre Company.

• Health and well-being services including a leading Employee Assistance Program.
  

For more information check out our benefits page!

Your newteam
MACSYSis an Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence uniting five universities and partners across research,trainingand innovation. The Centre advances mathematical,statisticaland computational foundations for modern biological and biomedical science and biotechnology.You will join a dedicated, collaborative community with strong professional support, ready tobenefitfrom sustained strategic leadership.In this role, you will bring stability, cleargovernanceand systems, enabling staff to focus on their strengths while you steer multi-institutional complexity and strategic priorities.

Be Yourself
The University of Melbourne is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a child-safe organisation. The diversity of our community enriches us all, and we are committed to creating an inclusive and fair workplace where everyone is valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences.Discover more about Diversity and Inclusion atUniMelb.

We'recommitted to a barrier-free recruitment process and ongoing workplace support, providing adjustments throughout. We warmly encourage applications from people with disabilities.Learn more about how we support an accessible recruitment process.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants
We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians.VisitourIndigenous staff pageto learn more aboutour investment and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.

Indigenous applicants are encouraged to connect with our Indigenous Employment & Development team atkorin-korin@unimelb.edu.au

Application essentials:

• Visit"apply with us"to learn moreabout the process, including tips and FAQs.

• You must have current valid work rights for Australia. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

• AWorking with Children Check isrequiredfor all positions. If successful, we will guide you through the process andreimburse you.

• Please upload your resume,a cover letter outlining your interest and experienceandyourresponses to the key selection criteriaas part of the application process.
  

Want to know more?

• For queries related to this specific position, contactProfessor Jennifer Fleggas perthe position description.

• For questions related to our recruitment process emailEmily Haagensenatsnr-talentacq@unimelb.edu.au

• For recruitment adjustments contactSusan Bradleyon +61435 120 452or atsnr-talentacq@unimelb.edu.au(subject: 'Recruitment Adjustments').
  

Applytoday,andjoin a communitythat’sshaping the future.

Applications close:​Sunday 4 October 2026​11:55 PM;Melbourne time zone. 

Position Description:Candidate Information Pack - JR-018409 Associate Director Operations COO.pdf