Principal, Commercial Finance

• Based at our Melbourne, Burwood Campus + hybrid work arrangements
• Full-time and continuing
• $153,668 + 17% Superannuation (HEW 10)

Benefits for working with us!

At Deakin, we offer more than just a job - we offer a lifestyle. Across our campuses in Geelong, Melbourne, and regional Victoria, you’ll find everything you need to thrive: on-site childcare, gyms, medical centres, cafes, accessible public transport, and convenient parking. Enjoy flexible working arrangements that support your work-life balance, generous leave entitlements including extended parental leave and the option to purchase additional time off, plus a wide range of staff discounts on travel and more. Our health and wellbeing services, ongoing professional development opportunities, and inclusive, supportive culture make Deakin a place where you can grow - whether you're working remotely or immersed in the vibrant energy of campus life.

Who are we?

Deakin is a cutting-edge public university headquartered in Victoria, revolutionising education with 61,000 students across our campuses: Melbourne Burwood, Geelong Waurn Ponds, Geelong Waterfront, Warrnambool, Deakin University Lancaster University Indonesia (DLI), GIFT City, India, and our vibrant online environment. We're proud to be a progressive and open-minded university, delivering the highest student satisfaction in Victoria and consistently ranked in the top 1% of the world's universities.

As a Principal, Commercial Finance, you will:

• Lead strategic commercial analysis: Set direction and lead complex analyses, commercial reviews, business cases and recommendations that inform strategic decisions.
• Drive value and performance: Translate market and organisational insights into strategies that improve performance, outcomes and resource allocation.
• Influence and align stakeholders: Build strategic partnerships, collaborate across the University and influence senior leaders to align priorities and overcome delivery barriers.
• Strengthen governance and manage risk: Ensure robust governance, risk management, compliance and sound commercial practices across areas of responsibility.
• Build capability and high performance: Lead high-performing teams and functions while strengthening commercial capability, collaboration and continuous improvement across the University.

To be successful, you’ll have:

• Strategic commercial analysis: Proven experience analysing major projects, partnerships or strategic initiatives, including resource, cost, price and/or cashflow valuation modelling.
• Strategic & analytical capability: Strong strategic thinking, structured and creative problem solving, and sound commercial judgement and decision-making
• Executive influence & communication: Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly with and influence senior executives, and to manage complex stakeholder environments.
• Governance, risk & systems: Strong understanding of governance, policy and organisational context, with advanced Excel/commercial modelling skills and experience using financial systems such as Workday Finance.
• Qualifications:  Postgraduate qualifications in finance or accounting desirable

Here's how to apply: 

Please submit your updated resume and a short cover letter outlining your skills and experience.

For a confidential discussion regarding this role, please contact Paul Boasman (Director, Strategic Finance and Procurement) on paul.boasman@deakin.edu.au

For a copy of the position description, please see below:

 Principal Commercial Finance FINAL_Aug26.pdf

Applications for this position close on Sunday 6th September 11:59pm.

Are You Ready?

Deakin is a Victorian university with a global impact. We are an agile, dynamic, and innovative university committed to making a positive impact through our excellence in education, research and innovation and the contributions we make to the wider community.

We understand that our reputation has been built on the dedication and expertise of our staff and we offer a dynamic and diverse working environment with opportunities to grow and develop careers. We believe that a progressive, thriving culture will ensure that people choose to come, and stay at Deakin and contribute to our ongoing success.

We value diversity and aim to build an inclusive environment that champions, embraces and respects differences. We support and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people of all abilities, cultures, sexual orientation, and genders.

Pre-employment safety and suitability checks: In accordance with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence, appointment to this role is subject to successful completion of relevant pre-employment checks, including Working With Children Checks and candidate gender-based violence declarations.

Candidates may be asked to declare whether they have been investigated for an allegation of Gender‑based Violence, or determined to have engaged in conduct that constitutes Gender‑based Violence during the course of their previous employment, or otherwise in a legal process.  A declaration is not required from individuals who have experienced gender‑based violence.  A ‘Yes’ response does not automatically exclude a candidate from employment, and any information provided will be treated confidentially and considered only for relevance to the role and the University’s safety obligations.