Finance Manager

Kilbreda College Mentone; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Kilbreda College seeks a Finance Manager to lead the Finance Team, champion sound budgeting and forecasting, and deliver timely financial reporting to College leadership. You will streamline processes and empower colleagues to own their financial work, ensuring strong controls and compliance across receivables, payables, and payroll.

You will work closely with the Business Manager and College Leadership Team, shaping financial strategy in a Catholic education context and supporting a sustainable

Qualifications

• Strong financial management experience.
• Commitment to Kilbreda College values.
• Ability to lead and develop a finance team.
• Ability to communicate financial information to leaders.

Responsibilities

• Lead budgeting, forecasting and management reporting, using financial analysis to identify risks and opportunities for College leaders.
• Prepare monthly and annual financial reports, statutory returns and regulatory compliance reports, maintaining strong financial controls and risk management practices.
• Lead and develop the Finance Team, setting clear expectations and fostering accountability and collaborative service.
• Oversee accounts receivable including family fee billing and debtor management with care for families.
• Lead accounts payable and procurement with budget holders to support informed decisions.
• Oversee payroll and workforce budgeting in line with legislation and enterprise agreements.
• Review finance systems and workflows to remove unnecessary steps and improve processes.

Skills

Financial management

Budgeting

Forecasting

Team leadership

Education

CPA/CA or equivalent

Job description

Kilbreda College is seeking a Finance Manager who can see what’s possible, respond as needs change and bring people with them. You will lead and develop our Finance Team, simplify the way we work and help colleagues across the College make confident, well-informed decisions.

Founded in 1904, Kilbreda is a Catholic girls’ school in the Brigidine tradition. Guided by our motto, Fortiter et Suaviter (Strength and Kindliness), we form young women of hope and compassion with the courage to act for justice. As Finance Manager, you will help sustain that mission through careful stewardship of the College’s resources, and through the way you lead your team and serve our community.

About the Role

Working closely with the Business Manager, Principal and College Leadership Team, you will bring sound financial judgement and a forward-looking perspective to the College’s planning and decisions. You will make our systems and processes easier to use and better at delivering timely, reliable information. You will build the capability of the Finance Team, empowering colleagues and giving them the confidence to own their work.

You will:

• Lead budgeting, forecasting and management reporting, using financial analysis to identify emerging risks and opportunities and advise College leaders on their options.
• Prepare monthly and annual financial reports, statutory returns and regulatory compliance reports, and maintain strong financial controls and risk management practices.
• Lead and develop the Finance Team, setting clear expectations and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration and responsive service.
• Oversee accounts receivable, including family fee billing, the College Fee Assistance Program and debtor management, with discretion and care in your work with families.
• Lead accounts payable and procurement, working with budget holders to strengthen financial understanding and support effective decisions.
• Oversee payroll and workforce budgeting, including compliance with legislative, award and enterprise agreement requirements.
• Review finance systems and workflows, remove unnecessary steps and support colleagues to adopt improved practices.

About You

You bring strong financial management experience, a relevant qualification (CPA, CA or equivalent) and a commitment to supporting the Catholic identity, mission and values of Kilbreda College. You lead with integrity and care, listen closely and follow through on what you say you will do.

You can demonstrate how you have:

• Used financial insight to anticipate risks, identify opportunities and explain trade-offs clearly so leaders can make informed decisions
• Streamlined a finance process or improved a system, helped colleagues adopt the change and demonstrated the difference it made
• Built the skills and confidence of a team through coaching, clear expectations and opportunities to take responsibility
• Built trust across teams by being accessible and responsive, and helped colleagues understand and use financial information in their work
• Exercised sound judgement and discretion when balancing competing priorities or handling confidential matters

At Kilbreda, you will join colleagues who care deeply about the education of young women and the community that supports them. You will have the opportunity to shape how finance supports the work of the College, build the capability of our Finance Team and steward the resources that sustain a Kilbreda education for future generations.

Applications close at 9.00 am on Tuesday 23 November 2026.

Kilbreda College is a child safe employer and is committed to the welfare of children and their protection. All potential employees and volunteers will be required to comply with the School's Child Safe Policy and Code of Conduct. Applicants will be required to undergo police and background checks in accordance with this policy.