Executive Director, Finance

Connected People; Newcastle; On-site; AUD 300,000 - 320,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive Assistant support

On-site parking

Relocation assistance

Career development

Job summary

Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is seeking an Executive Director, Finance to provide strategic financial leadership across the Diocese and its agencies. Reporting to the Managing Director, you will guide financial planning, reporting, budgeting and risk management within a complex multi-entity environment.

The role requires CA qualifications, postgraduate credentials or equivalent experience, and a track record of executive leadership in large not-for-profit or education organisations.

Qualifications

• Candidate will demonstrate strong leadership capability and ethical, collaborative leadership style.
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills with executive teams and boards.
• Extensive experience in financial strategy, governance, reporting, budgeting and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement financial strategies to support long-term sustainability and resource allocation.
• Provide strategic financial advice to the Managing Director, Bishop, Trustees and Leadership Group.
• Oversee financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cashflow management and capital expenditure planning across the Diocese and agencies.
• Lead and develop a high-performing finance team, fostering collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Strengthen governance, internal controls, risk management and regulatory compliance.
• Drive improvements in financial systems, policies, processes and reporting.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Financial analysis

Strategic thinking

Education

CA qualifications

Postgraduate qualifications or equivalent senior financial leadership experience

Job description

Connected People is proud to be partnering with the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle to appoint an experienced and accomplished Executive Director, Finance.

The Diocese is a highly regarded organisation with a longstanding commitment to serving communities throughout the Newcastle, Hunter and Manning regions.

Through its extensive network of Catholic Schools, CatholicCare, St Nicholas Early Education, Catholic Community Fund, , parishes and shared services, the Diocese delivers essential educational, social welfare, pastoral and community services.

Employing approximately 5,500 people across more than 100 locations, with consolidated annual revenue of approximately $640 million and $1.6 billion in assets under management, the Diocese operates within a diverse and sophisticated financial and governance environment.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the Managing Director and serving as a key member of the Diocesan Leadership Group, the Executive Director, Finance will provide strategic financial leadership, oversight and direction across the Diocese and its agencies.

This is an influential executive appointment, responsible for ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of the organisation while supporting its strategic priorities and operational objectives.

As a trusted adviser to the Bishop, Managing Director, Trustees and senior leadership, you will provide strategic financial advice, strengthen financial governance and support informed decision-making across a complex, multi-entity organisation.

Leading a multidisciplinary finance team encompassing accounting, finance business partnering, payroll, procurement, financial systems and project management, you will oversee financial strategy, planning, reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, regulatory compliance and audit.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement financial strategies supporting long-term sustainability, organisational priorities and effective resource allocation.
• Provide strategic financial advice to the Managing Director, Bishop, Trustees and Diocesan Leadership Group.
• Oversee financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cashflow management and capital expenditure planning across the Diocese and its agencies.
• Lead and develop a high-performing finance team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Strengthen financial governance, internal controls, risk management and regulatory compliance.
• Drive improvements in financial systems, policies, processes and reporting capability to support operational effectiveness and strategic decision-making.

About You

We are seeking an accomplished finance executive who combines strong technical expertise and commercial acumen with exceptional leadership capability and a genuine commitment to organisational purpose.

You will be a collaborative and values-driven leader, comfortable navigating sophisticated financial environments and building trusted relationships with executive stakeholders, governing bodies and operational leaders.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• CA qualifications, together with postgraduate qualifications or equivalent senior financial leadership experience.
• A minimum of five years' experience in a similar senior finance leadership position, with proven executive leadership capability.
• Extensive experience in financial strategy, governance, reporting, budgeting and risk management within a complex organisation.
• Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary finance teams and driving organisational improvement.
• Strong analytical capability and the ability to translate complex financial information into clear, commercially informed strategic advice.
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills, including experience working with executive leadership teams and governing boards.
• A considered, ethical and collaborative leadership style.

Experience within large education, not-for-profit, community services, or similarly complex multi-entity environments will be highly regarded.

In accordance with the position requirements, applicants will be required to be Catholic. A commitment to upholding the ethos, mission and values of the Catholic Diocese is essential.

What's on Offer

This is an exceptional opportunity to join a respected, purpose-driven organisation where your leadership will contribute to meaningful outcomes across the community.

The Diocese offers an attractive executive package, including:

• Competitive remuneration of $300,000–$320,000 plus superannuation.
• Dedicated Executive Assistant support.
• Free on-site parking at the Newcastle office.
• Opportunities for continued professional development and career growth.
• Relocation assistance available for candidates considering a move to the Newcastle region.

Beyond the remuneration and benefits, this appointment provides an opportunity to influence the financial direction of an organisation that plays an important role in the lives of thousands of people.

All enquiries will be treated with the strictest confidence.