Chief Finance Officer

Date: 07-Sep-2024

Location: Brisbane, QLD, AU Melbourne, VIC, AU Canberra, ACT, AU Sydney, NSW, AU

Company: CSIRO

About The Company

Acknowledgment of Country CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea, and waters of the area we live and work in across Australia.

We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders, past, and present. View our vision toward reconciliation At CSIRO Australia’s national science agency; we solve the most significant challenges through innovative science and technology.

We put the safety and wellbeing of our people above all else and earn trust everywhere because we only deal with facts. We collaborate widely and generously and deliver solutions with real impact. Join us and start creating tomorrow today!

The Opportunity

​​​​​​Provide strategic insight to support and enable CSIRO’s financial sustainability

Promote a strong internal service culture

Apply today to join Australia’s National Science Agency!

CSIRO Finance’s objective is to provide reliable, accurate, timely, customer-focused information and relevant value-adding, strategic insight to support and enable CSIRO’s financial sustainability through the effective use of resources. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Finance Officer (CFO) forms an important part of the CSIRO Leadership Team (CLT) and takes on the leadership of a team of professionals to provide centralized, strategic advice, transactional services, and dedicated business partner to the organization.

The CFO makes a critical contribution to CSIRO’s ability to achieve its business objectives by achieving corporate outcomes that deliver improved people, resources, and financial management. The CFO will provide strong leadership and management to the Enterprise Services Group and lead and promote a robust internal service culture, ensuring a service delivery approach that is responsive to the operational and strategic needs of the organization.

The incoming CFO will be a trusted advisor to the CSIRO Board and Executive Leadership Team and will work closely with them to develop CSIRO’s operating and capital budgets (for internal and government application), deliver financial reporting and analysis to a range of internal and external users, and provide financial support and advice for commercial transactions, research projects and major (generally infrastructure) projects.

The position is responsible for developing and sustaining effective relationships with CSIRO leadership across the organization and providing appropriate financial processes, guidance, and advice to assist the achievement of enterprise and business unit plans. The CFO will also be responsible for developing and sustaining effective relationships with external stakeholders, such as the Department of Finance, Department of Industry, Science and Resources, the Australian National Audit Office, and other government agencies, and for providing timely and relevant advice through to the Minister and other Government stakeholders as required.

Your duties will include:

1. Use superior influencing and leadership skills to consistently broaden the mindset of CSIRO’s Board, Executive, and Leadership teams to drive an organizational shift to opportunities aligned to CSIRO’s Strategy; including the provision of high-level analysis, financial modeling, and advice on the commercial and financial effects of business unit strategic plans.
2. Use strong strategic thinking, superior thought leadership, and communication skills to lead the finance function to deliver its vision and long-term strategic goals to the corporate, in-business, and service center teams.
3. Provide high-level technical, analytical, and financial expertise on complex problems and accountability for the organization’s financial position.
4. Lead the finance function to provide quality assured financial accounting and management services to the business, emphasizing prioritization, risk management, relevance, accuracy, timeliness, and consistency.
5. Lead, coordinate and manage the accurate delivery of CSIRO financial information, including the Annual Financial Statements and Budget Estimates.
6. Lead and leverage the strong relationships with CSIRO’s Business Unit Directors and influence their thinking and approach to financial and funding strategies, including developing innovative approaches to commercial and global advice and partnering.
7. Lead, manage and enhance strong and productive relationships with external stakeholders, particularly within government, on CSIRO financial matters, including the Department of Finance, Department of Industry, and the ANAO.
8. Drive the development and maintenance of an effective financial control framework that is consistent with the Commonwealth Government’s Financial Management principles, frameworks, and principles.
9. Lead and promote an appropriate focus on CSIRO’s compliance with statutory and regulatory finance requirements and promote organizational adherence to financial policies, standards, and procedures.
10. Lead and manage the annual Operating and Capital Budgeting processes working closely with the Executive Team and all parts of the business.
11. Lead and deliver the monthly and annual financial reporting (budget-forecast-actual) to the business, Executive, Board and government to ensure accuracy and alignment of information and focus on critical matters.
12. Oversee the performance and development of direct reports and develop a working environment that promotes the safety and wellbeing of staff, knowledge sharing, fair and consistent performance management, and learning & development.

To be considered, you will need:

• A relevant tertiary qualification, CA/CPA qualifications, and demonstrated experience in working within/alongside the Commonwealth Government’s financial management principles and frameworks.
• A track record of at least 10 years experience in a senior financial managerial or similar position with a track record of success.
• Demonstrated ability to provide high-level strategic financial leadership in a commercially focused public sector organization while maintaining high compliance standards with statutory and regulatory financial requirements.
• Proven ability to anticipate complex financial issues and evaluate commercial opportunities with high judgment.
• Proven capacity to set strategy, influence key initiatives that drive change and continuous improvement, and deliver cross-organization solutions – including cultural change.
• Able to deliver results in an environment of ambiguity and lead multiple initiatives across a complex organization.
• Demonstrated senior experience and achievements in a complex and multi-faceted environment, preferably Federal Government, as an effective and inclusive leader of highly productive and diverse teams with the ability to inspire high performance and foster an innovation culture.
• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively at Board and Executive Team level, building and maintaining strong professional and collaborative working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including multiple government stakeholders.
• Exceptional oral and written communication, interpersonal, negotiation, and representational skills.

Location: Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane Salary: Attractive salary package available Tenure: Indefinite Reference: 88705

Eligibility

This is a security-assessed position. To be eligible, you must hold Australian Citizenship and be willing and able to meet Negative Vetting Level 1 Security requirements. Appointment to this role is subject to the provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

How to Apply

Please send your application directly to Heidrick & Struggles at csirocfo@heidrick.com.

In your application, you will need to provide your CV and a cover letter outlining your motivation and the relevant capabilities and experience you could bring to this role.

Applications Close – 25 September 2024, 11:00pm AEST

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