Coordinated research infrastructure facilities operate as small or medium-sized businesses. Those who take on core facility management roles are often ill-equipped  to deal with a myriad of financial terms and practices, which goes well beyond learning how to prepare a budget and report a P&L. Research infrastructure management has its fair share of idiosyncrasies. An astute and well-informed core manager can effectively leverage the institutional financial systems and apply nuanced approaches to delivering operationally sustainably core facilities. Garnered via more than 15 years of experience in the sector, Sach will present and deliberate on key financial concepts of research infrastructure finances. 

Research organisations need to justify core facility investments, optimise utilisation, and demonstrate value amid competing budget priorities and accountability demands. Tess chronicles the development of Translational Research Institute's  foundational systems that turn fragmented operational data into strategic intelligence for decision-making. She details the practical frameworks for tracking utilisation metrics, analysing performance trends, and generating compelling reports that secure leadership buy-in and resource allocation. She demonstrates scalable analytics tools that move core facilities management from reactive troubleshooting to proactive optimisation, support continuous improvement, cross-facility benchmarking, and evidence-based planning—essential capabilities for research organisations navigating funding pressures while maximising scientific infrastructure impact and return on investment.