Chief Financial Officer, Executive Level 2

HorizonOne Recruitment; Canberra; Hybrid; AUD 154,000 - 178,000; Full time

Job summary

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) invites a senior finance leader to take ownership of the CFO remit with a clear path to shape the agency's financial future. Reporting to the COO, you will lead eight staff across Armidale and Canberra, shaping strategy, funding, and cost recovery while modernising finance systems.

You'll work closely with the CEO and Board, influence major investment decisions, and help position APVMA for long-term sustainability in a national

Qualifications

• Strong Commonwealth finance experience and government reporting requirements.
• Experience with cost recovery arrangements and CRIS development.
• Strategic thinking about financial sustainability, investment and long‑term planning.
• Ability to advise CEOs and Boards with clear communication.
• Experience leading capable teams and driving change.
• Australian citizenship and Baseline security clearance eligibility.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in accounting or finance; CA/CPA or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the agency's financial strategy including long‑term sustainability and funding arrangements.
• Provide strategic financial advice to the CEO, Board and senior executives.
• Oversee financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, reporting and cost recovery including CRIS and pricing reviews.
• Lead financial and procurement governance with risk management and compliance.
• Modernise finance systems and processes, including TechnologyOne, with emphasis on automation and data.
• Build financial capability across the agency and support leaders in investment decisions.
• Lead and develop your team and cultivate relationships with central agencies, auditors and stakeholders.

Skills

Commonwealth finance experience

Cost recovery knowledge

Strategic financial planning

Financial governance and reporting

Board advisory communication

Team leadership

Security clearance eligibility

Education

Accounting/finance degree

CA/CPA or equivalent

Tools

TechnologyOne

CRIS development

Job description

About the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA)

The APVMA is Australia's national regulator of agricultural and veterinary chemicals. Its work protects the health and safety of people, animals and the environment, and supports primary industries, biosecurity and international trade.

A Board-governed Commonwealth entity in the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio, the APVMA has its head office in Armidale NSW, and ~100 staff in Canberra ACT.

The Opportunity

Take ownership of the full CFO remit, with the opportunity to shape the financial future of a national regulator. With a new cost recovery framework in place and a finance modernisation program ahead, there's real scope to influence how the APVMA operates for years to come.

For a Deputy CFO or Finance Director in a larger agency, this is a step up in scope rather than classification. You'll work directly with the CEO and Board, supported by a CPA-qualified Chief Operating Officer who is actively backing the finance modernisation program. You'll also benefit from a thorough handover ahead of the current CFO's retirement in 2027.

Shape long-term financial sustainability, developing the strategy for an agency that recovers almost 100% of its costs from industry

Lead finance modernisation, replacing manual processes with automation and making better use of data

Gain direct Board exposure, preparing and presenting financial advice - valuable experience for those with SES ambitions

Influence major investment decisions, contributing to a significant IT investment proposal involving Finance, DAFF and the DTA

Lead an experienced team, giving you the capacity to focus on strategy, leadership and change

Work for a bigger purpose, supporting a national regulator that protects people, animals and the environment

The Role

Reporting to the COO, you'll lead the APVMA's Finance and Procurement section, managing a team of eight across Armidale and Canberra.

Working closely with the executive leadership team, your responsibilities will include:

Develop and deliver the agency's financial strategy, including long-term sustainability, funding arrangements and resource planning

Provide strategic financial advice to the CEO, Board and senior executives, supporting key financial and investment decisions

Oversee financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, reporting and cost recovery arrangements, including CRIS implementation and pricing reviews

Lead financial and procurement governance, ensuring sound risk management and compliance with Commonwealth frameworks and legislation

Modernise finance systems and processes, including TechnologyOne, with a focus on automation, data and stronger financial controls

Build financial capability across the agency, helping leaders make informed financial and investment decisions

Lead and develop your team, while building strong relationships with central agencies, auditors and other key stakeholders

The Ideal Person

You might already be a CFO in a smaller agency, or a Deputy CFO or Finance Director in a larger one, looking for the opportunity to take on more responsibility and drive real change.

You’ll bring:

Strong Commonwealth finance experience, with a solid understanding of government financial management, governance and reporting requirements

Experience with cost recovery arrangements, ideally including CRIS development and implementation

The ability to think strategically about financial sustainability, investment and long-term planning

Confidence advising CEOs and Boards, with strong judgement and the ability to communicate complex financial matters clearly

Experience leading capable teams, improving processes and driving change

You’ll also need to be an Australian citizen and able to obtain and maintain a Baseline security clearance.

Relevant tertiary qualifications in accounting, finance or a related field

CA, CPA or equivalent professional qualification

$154,097 to $178,313 + 15.4% superannuation

Based in Armidale NSW or Canberra ACT

Flexible working arrangements by agreement are welcomed