Finance and Compliance Manager supporting the University of Wollongong, Gift City, India

Location: GIFT City, India

• Join a Global University
• Lead all Aspects of Financial Management
• Build your Career in a Values-Based Organisation

About The University of Wollongong

The University of Wollongong (UOW) is a young, dynamic and innovative university that, over its 50-year history, has grown to become one of Australia’s leading institutions.

UOW’s reputation for academic excellence and commitment to student experience is complemented by their strong focus on innovation and community impact. From producing highly employable graduates to pioneering research in areas like clean energy and healthcare, UOW continues to work on innovative solutions that address society’s greatest challenges.

UOW is proud to be recognised as a leader in delivering participation and attainment outcomes for students traditionally underrepresented at university.

UOW ranks 2nd nationally and 16th globally in the Times Higher Education (THE) Young University Rankings. In the 2024 THE Impact Rankings, UOW was placed equal 44th globally and 9th in Australia, reflecting their commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These achievements demonstrate the strength of UOW’s teaching and research across diverse disciplines.

UOW is a globally recognised institution gobally, and offers UOW Australian Qualifications in India. The

university is accredited by AACSB, ensuring that its business programs meet the highest international

standards.

About the role

The Finance and Compliance Manager will lead all aspects of financial management and compliance for UOW India, supporting the Campus Director and ensuring robust financial, tax, and corporate governance compliance. This includes oversight of all operational accounting, management reporting, statutory accounts, budgeting, forecasting, board reporting (UOW FIC Sub-committee), risk management, company secretarial matters, and coordination with external advisors. The role is responsible for maintaining strong internal controls, compliance with Indian law and regulations and UOW/UOWGE Policies and supporting strategic and operational objectives.

About the Candidate

The successful candidate’s Key Responsibilities / Accountabilities

will include:

• Provide leadership and oversight of all financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Ensure timely preparation of statutory accounts, management reports, and compliance with Indian accounting standards.
• Implement and maintain strong internal controls and risk management processes in line with UOW and UOWGE policies, as relevant.
• Manage direct and indirect tax compliance, including but not limited to GST, TDS, and corporate tax filings.
• Act as the primary point of accountability for corporate governance and company secretarial compliance, including but not limited to IFSCA reporting, SEZ reporting, ROC filings, board papers, statutory registers and other government submissions.
• Act as primary point of contact for preparation of Board and sub-committee papers in accordance with timeline for meetings.
• Coordinate legal review for contracts, MOU’s and other legal documents with UOWGE legal team, ensuring documents are in order for review and approval.
• Coordinate with external advisors (where applicable) to ensure accurate and timely submissions. Review submission process for process improvement opportunities.
• Oversee procurement, and vendor management in compliance with UOW India policies.
• Manage treasury functions and working capital to optimise financial performance.
• Drive process and systems improvements, including adoption of technology for efficiency and compliance.
• Prepare and present financial reports and analysis to the Campus Director and UOWGE leadership.
• Support strategic initiatives and business cases with financial modelling and analysis.
• Ensure compliance with UOW India policies and Indian statutory requirements.
• Actively demonstrate UOWGE corporate values: Passion, Innovation, Integrity, Collaboration, Courage, and Excellence.

Inherent Requirements

• Perform the essential duties and functional requirements of the job.
• Meet productivity and quality requirements.
• Work effectively in a team, independently and with other organisations.
• Do the job without undue risk to your own or others’ health, safety, and welfare at work.
• Report any injuries, illness, disorder, impairment, condition, or incapacity that may affect your ability to perform the inherent requirements.
• Comply with work health and safety legislation and UOWI policies.
• Observe principles and practices of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO).
• Declare any conflicts of interest to the People and Culture Department.

Key Relationships

• Reports to: Campus Director – UOW India.
• Supervises: N/A.
• Other Key Contacts: UOW India Management Team, UOWGE Group Financial Controller, External Advisors.

Essential Criteria:

• CPA/CA qualified; minimum degree-level qualification in a business discipline, preferably accounting.
• Minimum 8 years’ experience in a similar financial management and reporting role.
• Extensive knowledge of accounting principles and standards.
• Experience in statutory accounting and Indian tax compliance.
• Understanding of corporate governance principles and requirements, familiarity with legal documents.
• Well-developed skills in financial controls and risk management.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to build relationships at all levels.
• Ability to prioritise, meet deadlines, and manage conflicting time constraints.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to identify and implement process improvements and strategies.

Desirable:

• Experience in operating within the GIFT SEZ.
• Experience in operation of ERP systems (e.g., Oracle).
• Experience in data management tools (e.g., TM1, Tableau, SmartView, BI software).
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Integrity and transparency.
• Resilient and adaptable to change.
• Experience in multinational or cross-border operations.

Hiring support for this position is being provided by Grok Global Services

About Grok Global Services

Founded in 2005, Grok Global Services is a best-in-class provider of international engagement services for higher education institutions. By joining our team, you will be working in a supportive environment full of like-minded professionals, each committed to advancing the internationalization of higher education institutions from around the world.

A pioneer of in-country staffing in the international education sector, Grok remains at the forefront of this model and currently delivers this service across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas. The company also boasts industry-leading divisions in digital marketing and strategic consulting.

We thank you for your interest in Grok Global Services. To learn more about Grok, please visit us at our website: https://grokglobal.com/ and by following us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/grokglobal/