Chief Financial Officer

Byron Shire Council; Mullumbimby; Hybrid; AUD 143,000 - 197,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private leaseback vehicle

Relocation assistance

Council-owned housing at market rent

Welcome Experience relocation support

12% Superannuation

Hybrid work opportunities

Job summary

Byron Shire Council is seeking a Chief Financial Officer to steer financial sustainability and advise the Executive on strategic, regulatory, and governance matters. Based in Mullumbimby, the role leads the Finance team, oversees long-term financial planning including 30-year plans for water and sewerage, and partners with the Council to deliver essential services and capital programs.

The successful candidate will bring extensive local government experience, CPA/CA/IPA membership, and a proven

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in Accounting, Finance, Commerce or a related discipline.
• Full membership of CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, or the Institute of Public Accountants.
• Extensive senior financial management experience within local government.
• Demonstrated strong team leadership, development and people management experience.
• Proven success in strategic financial management, governance and risk management.
• Demonstrated experience preparing statutory financial statements and managing audit processes.
• Advanced communication, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Be appointed to the statutory position of Responsible Accounting Officer defined by Section 196 of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021.
• Provide expert advice and direction to the Director, Executive Team and Council regarding business decisions, ensuring financial implications, opportunities and risks are fully considered.
• Ensure the delivery of Financial Services and projects in accordance with Council's Community Strategic Plan, Delivery Program and Operational Plan.
• Lead and maximise performance to achieve a high level of customer service, productivity, and efficiency by providing strategic direction, expert advice and leadership to the Finance team.
• Lead development and maintenance of Council’s Long Term Financial Plan (LTFP) for all Council operations ensuring integration with service, asset and workforce planning.
• Coordinate external audits with the Audit Office of NSW and manage audit responses to completion.
• Deliver accurate, transparent, and timely financial reports to Council, ARIC, FAC and the Executive.
• Maintain and update financial policies, procedures, and delegations to ensure compliance and effective internal controls.
• Oversee the administration of rates, annual charges, user fees, and other revenue streams.
• Provide strategic leadership across financial governance, compliance, revenue management, asset accounting, and capital planning.

Skills

Financial leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder engagement

Governance & risk management

Education

Accounting/Finance/Commerce degree

CPA/CA/IPA membership

Job description

This is an exceptional opportunity to join one of Australia's most distinctive local government organisations, Byron Shire Council, located in the beautiful Northern Rivers of NSW.As our Chief Financial Officer, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the financial future of Council ensuring the organisation is well positioned to deliver the vision and aspirations of the Byron Shire Community Strategic Plan 2035. You will lead financial sustainability, influence strategic decisions, and help deliver the community's vision for Byron Shire as a place where people can connect, share, grow, inspire and create positive change.

Reporting to the Director Corporate and Community Services, the Chief Financial Officer is Council's principal financial advisor and statutory Responsible Accounting Officer, providing strategic financial leadership across the organisation.

Join a values-driven organisation where you can make a lasting impact on the future of our community. This leadership role offers the opportunity to drive financial sustainability and lead complex initiatives that support essential services and infrastructure.

Key responsibilities:

• Be appointed to the statutory position of Responsible Accounting Officer defined by Section 196 of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021 and responsible for the functions/activities of this position as prescribed in the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021.
• Provide expert advice and direction to the Director, Executive Team and Council regarding business decisions, ensuring financial implications, opportunities and risks are fully considered in line with Council’s long term financial strategy.
• Ensure the delivery of Financial Services and projects in accordance with Council's Community Strategic Plan, Delivery Program and Operational Plan.
• Lead and maximise performance to achieve a high level of customer service, productivity, and efficiency by providing strategic direction, expert advice and leadership to the Finance team and broader Directorate.
• Lead development and maintenance of Council’s Long Term Financial Plan (LTFP) for all Council operations ensuring integration with service, asset and workforce planning.This also includes the 30 Year Business Plans for Water and Sewerage.
• Coordinate external audits with the Audit Office of NSW and manage audit responses to completion.
• Deliver accurate, transparent, and timely financial reports to Council, the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee (ARIC), Finance Advisory Committee and the Executive.
• Maintain and update financial policies, procedures, and delegations to ensure compliance and effective internal controls.
• Oversee the administration of rates, annual charges, user fees, and other revenue streams.
• Provide strategic leadership across financial governance, compliance, revenue management, asset accounting, and capital planning.

Please refer to Position Description and Information pack that can be found on our website job ad for more detailed information regarding responsibilities

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Tertiary qualifications in Accounting, Finance, Commerce or a related discipline.
• Full membership of CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, or the Institute of Public Accountants.
• Extensive senior financial management experience within local government.
• Demonstrated strong team leadership, development and people management experience
• Proven success in strategic financial management, governance and risk management.
• Demonstrated experience preparing statutory financial statements and managing audit processes.
• Advanced communication, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills.

Highly Desirable

• Experience as a Responsible Accounting Officer or equivalent senior finance executive.
• Knowledge of the NSW local government legislative framework and Integrated Planning and Reporting requirements.
• Experience working with elected representatives and governance committees.

We offer:

• Salary and Conditions will be in accordance with the NSW Local Government (State) Award with appointment in the range of $143,095 - $196,676 per year (dependent upon skills and experience)
• Private leaseback vehicle
• Eligibility for Relocation assistance
• Council-owned housing at market rent (subject to availability)
• Access to The Welcome Experience relocation support program
• 12% Superannuation

Byron Shire Council has a high performance, collaborative culture. We are a growth-oriented organisation and value individuals who are driven to succeed and exceed expectations.

Other benefits include:

Work-Life Balance

• Flexible working arrangements
• Hybrid work opportunities where operationally appropriate

Professional Development

• Ongoing training and development
• Continued investment in Leadership Team development initiatives to support high-performing teams and organisational effectiveness
• Participation in industry forums and local government networks
• Reward and Recognition program

Health and Wellbeing

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Health and wellbeing initiatives
• Fitness Passport
• Supportive and collaborative workplace culture
• 5 days of MyLeave per anniversary date
• Commitment to a 'Safety First' workplace culture

Location: This position is based at Mullumbimby; however, Council can require you to work from other work sites as required for operational reasons.

Contact: Esmeralda Davis - Director Corporate and Community Services - 02 6626 7096

Closing date: 12pm (NSW time), 13 September 2026. Late applications will not be permitted.

You application will need to include:

• A cover letter outlining your interest in the position.
• A statement demonstrating suitability for the role in line with the Local Government Capability Framework focus capabilities (found on page 5 of the position description). Maximum 1 page per capability.

We believe in diversity, inclusion and equality and are committed to ensuring that our workplaces are a reflection of our community. We recognise the benefits that diversity and inclusion brings, and in turn encourage talented people from all backgrounds, abilities and identities to apply for our vacancies.

We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements and encourage our people to explore new ways of working – including part-time, job-share or working from different locations. Everyone can ask about it.

We strongly encourage applications from people with disability and will provide reasonable adjustments in our recruitment process and in the workplace. If you need an adjustment during the recruitment process, please call or email the contact person listed above, and also advise us of your preferred method of communication.

Byron Shire Council is committed to being a child safe organisation – we respect all children and their wellbeing. We will embed Child Safe Standards into our leadership, governance and culture. We will support our staff and volunteers in their responsibilities. We will strive to keep children safe from harm and abuse.