Diocesan Financial Administrator

BespokeHR; South Australia; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive remuneration package

Job summary

The Archdiocese of Adelaide seeks an exceptional executive to assume the Diocesan Financial Administrator role, reporting to the Archbishop. You will lead strategic financial management across parishes, schools, welfare agencies and the Catholic Development Fund, ensuring robust governance, risk mitigation and long‑term financial sustainability for the Church's operations in South Australia.

With a Chartered Accountant or CPA designation and 10+ years in senior financial leadership, you will

Qualifications

• CA or CPA designation is essential.
• Minimum 10 years of senior management experience.
• Proven track record in financial governance.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial management across diocesan entities.
• Advise Archbishop and senior leaders on financial strategy.
• Oversee payroll, insurance, risk management and asset portfolios.

Skills

CA/CPA qualifications

Strategic leadership

Financial management

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Education

Chartered Accountant / CPA

Tools

ERP software

Financial reporting software

Job description

The Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide positively impacts the lives of its members through the development and delivery of human services related programs and offerings. With head office in the Adelaide CBD and multiple sites throughout South Australia, a rewarding and critical senior executive opportunity for a Diocesan Financial Administrator (DFA) is now available.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide employs over 10,500 people working across the industries of education, health, social services and parishes, with many volunteers who assist and support our parishes.

The Catholic Church Endowment Society (CCES), established in 1874, is the central civil entity that supports the operations and pastoral mission of the Archdiocese of Adelaide, playing a crucial role in the management and support of various facets of the Church's operations. The pastoral mission of the church is central to the CCES's work and involves spreading the message of faith, hope and love, offering spiritual guidance, and engaging in acts of mercy and charity. It encompasses the duty of the Church to care for the spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being of its members and the broader community.

CCES plays a vital role in enabling the Church's mission by providing governance, administration and specialist services that support worship and sacraments, pastoral care, education, social services and community engagement.

About our Client

The Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide positively impacts the lives of its members through the development and delivery of human services related programs and offerings. With head office in the Adelaide CBD and multiple sites throughout South Australia, a rewarding and critical senior executive opportunity for a Diocesan Financial Administrator (DFA) is now available.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide employs over 10,500 people working across the industries of education, health, social services and parishes, with many volunteers who assist and support our parishes.

The Catholic Church Endowment Society (CCES), established in 1874, is the central civil entity that supports the operations and pastoral mission of the Archdiocese of Adelaide, playing a crucial role in the management and support of various facets of the Church's operations. The pastoral mission of the church is central to the CCES's work and involves spreading the message of faith, hope and love, offering spiritual guidance, and engaging in acts of mercy and charity. It encompasses the duty of the Church to care for the spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being of its members and the broader community.

CCES plays a vital role in enabling the Church's mission by providing governance, administration and specialist services that support worship and sacraments, pastoral care, education, social services and community engagement.

To learn more, please visit www.adelaide.catholic.org.au

About the Role

The Archdiocese of Adelaide provides a range of services through its 57 parishes, 72 schools, welfare agencies, diocesan offices and Catholic Development Fund (CDF).

The position of Diocesan Financial Administrator (DFA) is defined under Canon Law. The Archdiocese of Adelaide is seeking an exceptional, commercially astute and highly experienced executive who will support the organisation in fulfilling its Vision and Mission.

Reporting directly to the Archbishop of Adelaide, this is a significant executive appointment requiring a close and trusted working relationship with the Archbishop. With the Chief Financial Officer reporting to the DFA, the role provides strategic leadership across a broad portfolio of financial, property and corporate functions, requiring sound commercial judgement and the ability to influence key organisational decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership of strategic financial management, insurance, risk management, Catholic Safety and Injury Management, Catholic Development Fund (CDF), Payroll and Property and Assets across the Church's South Australian agencies and entities.
• Overall leadership of the Archdiocesan Financial Services Office (including the CDF), ensuring a high level of competency and professionalism in the strategic, financial and administrative services provided to parishes and agencies across the Archdiocese.
• Providing strategic and commercially informed advice on property and asset matters, financial planning and governance to support informed decision-making and long-term sustainability.

This very senior role is responsible for the overall financial management of the Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide in accordance with the direction of the Diocesan Finance Council. The DFA also holds a number of civil offices and positions on behalf of Archdiocese of Adelaide entities.

About You

The successful candidate will support the Catholic ethos and have a demonstrated career history of leading complex portfolios and working with teams of professionals across a diverse range of technical disciplines. Proven ability in leading, motivating and developing people through the creation of a high-performing, responsible and accountable culture is required.

You will be an accomplished senior executive with strong commercial acumen, financial expertise and a proven ability to provide trusted strategic advice in a complex organisational environment.

A relevant tertiary qualification and CA or CPA qualifications are essential, together with at least 10 years' senior management experience. Experience working closely with a CEO or equivalent senior leader would be advantageous.

Exemplary professionalism, high integrity, outstanding interpersonal and influencing skills will be essential. You will have the ability to develop constructive relationships by establishing trust and credibility across diverse stakeholder groups, enabling you to deliver results as a key member of the executive team.

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to an established and highly respected organisation, influencing decisions that support the future sustainability and mission of the Archdiocese.

A highly attractive executive remuneration package will be offered, commensurate with the skills, experience and capabilities of the successful candidate.

The appointment is full-time for a five-year fixed term. Flexibility to undertake responsibilities outside standard business hours is required, and intrastate, interstate and overseas travel may be necessary.

The successful candidate will be required to hold a current Working with Children's Check and undergo a satisfactory National Police Check.

Why join Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide?

• Make a meaningful contribution to a respected & values-led organisation supporting communities across South Australia.
• Work & partner closely with the Archbishop, providing trusted advice and influencing significant strategic decisions.
• Lead a diverse and complex executive portfolio with opportunities to shape the long-term sustainability of the Archdiocese.
• Enjoy a highly attractive executive remuneration package with an allocated car park.
• A stable organisation with a strong record of staff longevity and commitment.