Chief Financial Officer

NIT; Alice Springs; On-site; AUD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer superannuation 15.4%

Salary packaging

5 weeks annual leave

Airfare allowance

District allowance

Relocation assistance

Subsidised accommodation

Professional development

Job summary

The Central Land Council in Alice Springs seeks a Chief Financial Officer to lead financial stewardship, governance and assurance across a complex Commonwealth corporate NFP entity. You will advise the CEO, Council and Executive Management Team on strategic finance matters and strengthen systems to support outcomes for Aboriginal people across Central Australia.

Reporting to the CEO and joining the Executive Management Team, you will drive long-term financial direction, governance, procurement,

Qualifications

• Executive-level experience setting financial strategy and leading financial management across a complex organisation.
• Sound knowledge of the PGPA Act and related Rules, together with an understanding of the Australian Public Service operating environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in financial controls, statutory reporting, audit, procurement, tenders, grants, asset management and regulatory compliance.
• Extensive experience with financial systems, policy development and the practical implementation of compliant financial processes.
• Strong judgement, clear written and verbal communication, and the ability to negotiate and build trust with senior leaders, Aboriginal people, government and partner organisations.
• A record of leading and developing multidisciplinary teams, setting priorities and delivering organisational outcomes through change.
• Cultural capability and the ability to work respectfully and effectively with Aboriginal people; knowledge of Aboriginal society and contemporary issues in Central Australia will be highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Setting of long-term financial direction and provision of clear advice on financial performance, sustainability, risk and investment priorities.
• Maintenance of financial governance policies, internal controls and assurance arrangements aligned with the PGPA Act, PGPA Rules and relevant Commonwealth frameworks.
• Direction of procurement, tendering and grant processes, with a strong focus on probity, transparency, contract administration and value for money.
• Oversight of financial and statutory reporting, leadership of internal and external audit activity, driving of timely remediation of findings and the provision of support for the Audit and Risk Committee.
• Maintenance of executive oversight of the asset register, remote infrastructure and capital equipment, including compliant valuation, decommissioning and disposal.
• Development of the Finance function, including effective partnership with the Financial Controller and oversight of finance services for the Aboriginal Associations Management Centre.
• Insight and contribution to enterprise planning, policy, performance reporting, risk management and continuous improvement as a member of the Executive Management Team.
• Building of financial understanding and accountability across business units and support the employment and development of Aboriginal staff.

Skills

Executive leadership

Financial strategy

Financial management

Communication

Education

CPA Australia

CAANZ

IPA

Job description

Lead financial stewardship, governance and assurance across a complex Commonwealth corporate NFP entity

Advise the Chief Executive Officer, Council, Audit and Risk Committee and Executive Management Team strategic finance related matters

Strengthen systems, controls and capability that support outcomes for Aboriginal people across Central Australia

The opportunity

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and joining the Executive Management Team, you will provide strategic financial leadership with substantial autonomy and direct influence over the CLC’s financial direction, governance and performance.

You will lead a broad range of functions including financial stewardship, procurement, grants, assets, audit, statutory reporting and financial risk so the CLC can manage its resources transparently, efficiently and effectively and fulfil its responsibilities to Aboriginal people across the region.

About the Central Land Council

The CLC represents and provides a range of key services to Aboriginal people across Central Australia. Under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976, it supports land rights, native title, community development, land management, employment and enterprise, sacred site protection and advocacy. Based in Alice Springs, it works across a wide region with communities and traditional owners. Further information about the Council can be found at https://www.clc.org.au/

What you will lead

Setting of long-term financial direction and provision of clear advice on financial performance, sustainability, risk and investment priorities

Maintenance of financial governance policies, internal controls and assurance arrangements aligned with the PGPA Act, PGPA Rules and relevant Commonwealth frameworks

Direction of procurement, tendering and grant processes, with a strong focus on probity, transparency, contract administration and value for money

Oversight of financial and statutory reporting, leadership of internal and external audit activity, driving of timely remediation of findings and the provision of support for the Audit and Risk Committee

Maintenance of executive oversight of the asset register, remote infrastructure and capital equipment, including compliant valuation, decommissioning and disposal

Development of the Finance function, including effective partnership with the Financial Controller and oversight of finance services for the Aboriginal Associations Management Centre

Insight and contribution to enterprise planning, policy, performance reporting, risk management and continuous improvement as a member of the Executive Management Team

Building of financial understanding and accountability across business units and support the employment and development of Aboriginal staff

What you will bring

Relevant tertiary qualifications and current membership of CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, or the Institute of Public Accountants

Executive-level experience setting financial strategy and leading financial management across a complex organisation

Sound knowledge of the PGPA Act and related Rules, together with an understanding of the Australian Public Service operating environment

Demonstrated expertise in financial controls, statutory reporting, audit, procurement, tenders, grants, asset management and regulatory compliance

Extensive experience with financial systems, policy development and the practical implementation of compliant financial processes

Strong judgement, clear written and verbal communication, and the ability to negotiate and build trust with senior leaders, Aboriginal people, government and partner organisations

A record of leading and developing multidisciplinary teams, setting priorities and delivering organisational outcomes through change

Cultural capability and the ability to work respectfully and effectively with Aboriginal people; knowledge of Aboriginal society and contemporary issues in Central Australia will be highly regarded

15.4 per cent employer superannuation and generous salary packaging through the CLC’s public benevolent institution status

Five weeks’ annual leave with 17.5 per cent leave loading, plus an annual airfare allowance and district allowance along with a range of additional employment related benefits

Relocation assistance where applicable and short-term subsidised accommodation where available

Training and professional development in a nationally significant Aboriginal organisation

Role requirements

The successful candidate must hold a current license that is valid in the Northern Territory and satisfy required checks including an Ochre Card, National Police Certificate and Australian Financial Security Authority bankruptcy check. Applicants must already hold appropriate Australian work rights; visa sponsorship is not available.

Applications close 12.00 pm AEDT (Eastern Daylight Savings Time) Friday 23 October 2026.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply

The National Indigenous Times acknowledges and pays respect to past and present Traditional Custodians and Elders of this nation. We recognise Aboriginal Community's continuing connection to their lands, waters and stories and acknowledge that sovereignty has never been ceded.