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 competitive   remuneration   package will be offered ,   plus 17% super

- Strategic COO leadership for ARC Centre /   deliver   stable governance and systems across five universities / mobilise empowered teams
- Take the lead in shaping MACSYS’ long-term strategy   and secure its   long-term   funding.
- 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 to   benefit   society 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,   vision   and 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.

What   you will   deliver :

- 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 Centre   objectives .
- Design governance, reporting and assurance frameworks, including systems for ARC mid-term review, annual meetings,   events   and performance.
- Assure clear and compliant   financial management , overseeing multiple ARC accounts, compliance   processes   and strategic funding allocations across nodes.
- Mobilise and align distributed teams, setting clear expectations, empowering   staff   and   strengthening   appropriate role   boundaries and support.

You may   be a great fit   if   you:

- Bring a relevant tertiary qualification, extensive senior leadership   experience   and 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, compliance   rules   and multi-account budgets within tight   timeframes .
- Communicate clearly, delegate effectively and build trust with academics, professional   staff   and senior external stakeholders.
- Adapt comfortably to diverse institutional cultures, balancing competing interests and making evidence-based, pragmatic decision s.

For further   information   please 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 of   fulfilment , 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 balance   and well-being , including   leading 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 un ique cultural and recreational benefits such as   discounts 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 new   team  
MACSYS   is an Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence uniting five universities and partners across research,   training   and innovation. The Centre advances mathematical,   statistical   and computational foundations for modern biological and biomedical science and biotechnology.   You will join a dedicated, collaborative community with strong professional support, ready to   benefit   from sustained strategic leadership.   In this role, you will bring stability, clear   governance   and 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 at   UniMelb .

We're   committed 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 .   Visit   our   Indigenous staff page   to learn more about   our investment and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.    
      
Indigenous applicants are encouraged to connect with our Indigenous Employment & Development team at   [email protected]

Application essentials:

- Visit   "apply with us"   to learn more   about the process , including tips and FAQs .
- You must have current valid work rights for Australia. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.
- A   Working with Children Check is   required   for all positions. If successful, we will guide you through the process and   reimburse you.
- Please upload your resume ,   a cover letter outlining your interest and experience   and   your   responses to the key selection criteria   as part of the application process .

Want to know more?

- For queries related to this specific position, contact   Professor Jennifer Flegg   a s per   the position description.
- For questions related to our recruitment process email   Emily Haagensen   at   snr-talentacq @unimelb.edu.au
- For recruitment adjustments contact   Susan Bradley   on +61 435 120 452   or at   snr-talentacq @unimelb.edu.au   (subject: 'Recruitment Adjustments').

Apply   today ,   and   join a community   that’s   shaping 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