Finance & Administration Lead

Acknowledgement of Country 

CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View our vision towards reconciliation. 

Role highlights

• Play a key role at a world-renowned facility supporting NASA’s Deep Space Network
• Drive improvements across finance, procurement, administration and site operations
• Lead a small team and work closely with NASA/JPL, CSIRO and CDSCC stakeholders

About CSIRO

As Australia's national science agency, CSIRO is solving the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. Many of our iconic innovations were once considered impossible until someone, just like you, joined us and took on the challenge.

Visit CSIRO.au for more information.

About CDSCC

Located at Tidbinbilla, just outside Australia's capital city, the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex (CDSCC) is one of three Deep Space Network stations around the world. Together, the three stations provide around-the-clock contact with more than 30 spacecraft, including missions to study Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Pluto, comets, the Moon and the Sun. CDSCC supports ground-based spacecraft telecommunications as part of the international National Aeronautic Space Administration (NASA) Deep Space Network (DSN), under contractual arrangements between the NASA and Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). For more information on CDSCC, please visit:  http://www.cdscc.nasa.gov

The opportunity 

The Finance & Administration Lead at the CDSCC plays a central role in coordinating finance, procurement, fleet, and administration services that support the ongoing operations of this iconic scientific site. Acting as the onsite point of contact for the NASA/JPL customer, CSIRO support services, CDSCC leaders and staff, you’ll oversee budgets, procurement processes, cost codes and financial queries, ensuring seamless communication and high-quality service delivery.

Reporting to the Support Services Manager, you’ll ensure the integrity and maintenance of key administrative systems and databases in line with NASA/JPL and CSIRO standards, including technical documentation, operational software, and JPL’s DRMS and MIDAS systems. You will also assist with physical security arrangements, participate as the Deputy Security Administrator, and contribute to the development and implementation of site policies and procedures.

This role provides leadership to a small team, oversees fleet leasing arrangements, and supports CSIRO Finance during budget review cycles. You’ll partner with stakeholders across the site to tailor solutions, resolve issues promptly, and champion best-practice approaches that enable smooth operations in an environment where precision and reliability are essential.

Your duties will include: 

• Provide monthly progress reports to the Support Services Manager.
• Manage reconciliation queries between the customer, Maximo and CSIRO SAP, and support CSIRO Finance with budget reviews.
• Liaise with CDSCC leaders, customers and CSIRO Finance to understand needs, resolve issues and ensure high customer satisfaction.
• Under limited direction, lead support activities or smaller projects, allocating resources to achieve outcomes.
• Assist the Support Services Manager as Deputy Security Administrator for site physical security and related contracts.
• Lead and supervise a small team, including performance management and staff development.
• Work with leadership to deliver innovative solutions and best-practice processes.
• Manage fleet leasing arrangements and support day-to-day fleet management with CSIRO Fleet.

Role particulars

• Location: CDSCC, Tidbinbilla. ACT
• Salary: AU$96k – AU$123k per annum (pro rata for part-time), plus 15.4% superannuation (+ $133 per week tracking station allowance)
• Tenure & work schedule: Indefinite, full-time. Options for part-time, job-share and flexible work arrangements can be discussed based on needs of role and individual circumstances.
• Reference: 101968

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

• A relevant qualification (Degree, Diploma or Certificate IV in business, administration, finance/accounting, project management, physical security) and/or equivalent experience of at least 5 years.
• Demonstrated ability to lead a small team in meeting work objectives and demonstrating a culture of success.
• Demonstrated experience in and accounts/customer service, multi-focussed administration environment.
• Working knowledge of budgets, reconciliations and report generation and analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate widely, both internally and externally, and provide guidance to leaders and staff.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a high level of analytical, literacy and reporting skills.
• Working knowledge of Maximo and/or SAP business management systems and working knowledge of government regulatory environments, policies and protocols is desirable.

 
For full details about this role, and all criteria, please review the Position Description. Note: Under CSIRO policy only those who meet all essential criteria can be appointed.

Role eligibility

• Applications for this position are open to Australian Citizens and Australian Permanent Residents only.

• Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements. Please refer to the Position Description for details.  

Setting you up for success

We are committed to providing a recruitment process that is fair, equitable and accessible to everyone. We recognise that individuals may have different needs, and we’re happy to discuss what adjustments to our process may help you feel safe, respected and able to participate fully. Please contact careersonline@csiro.au and let us know how we can support you.  

Life, benefits and flexible work arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. We can discuss flexible work arrangements with you during the recruitment process. CSIRO also offers a range of leave entitlements, benefits and career development opportunities. To find out more, visit Careers at CSIRO.

Inclusion and belonging

Solving Australia's greatest challenges takes a diversity of minds and lived experiences. We know diverse teams are more effective and deliver more innovative outcomes. As an equal employment opportunity organisation, we are committed to creating diverse and inclusive teams where people feel they belong. We recognise true diversity encompasses all ages, abilities, cultures, faiths, levels of education, genders, sexualities, diversity of thought and much more. We focus on hiring people who share our values of People First, Further Together, Making it Real and Trusted.

CSIRO holds Platinum Status for the Australian Workplace Equality Index for LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and a Science in Australia Gender Equity Bronze Award.

Child safety 

CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View our Child Safe Policy. 

How to apply 

Please apply online and submit a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) and CV that demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the essential requirements of this role.

Applications close 

25th January 2026, 11:59pm AEDT