Finance Manager

Downer; North Canberra; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Perks@Downer discounts

Reservist Leave up to 20 days

Career development programs

Job summary

Downer is seeking an experienced Finance Manager to support Defence digital capability programs, delivering financial leadership, budget oversight, forecasting and governance across the project lifecycle.

You will work with Defence stakeholders, project teams and senior executives to ensure affordability and financial integrity, with a focus on performance reporting, cost modelling and strategic planning.

Qualifications

• Experience in financial management within the Australian Federal Government environment.
• Strong financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting and reporting capability.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including financial modelling, scenario analysis and pivot tables.
• Experience supporting complex ICT acquisition, sustainment or large-scale program environments.
• The ability to interpret cost estimates, procurement profiles and work breakdown structures within financial management activities.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to brief senior executives.

Responsibilities

• Managing project budgets, forecasts, expenditure reporting and financial records.
• Monitoring financial performance against approved funding allocations and identifying variances or emerging risks.
• Maintaining oversight of project commitments, contracts, purchase orders and financial obligations.
• Providing financial advice, recommendations and reporting to support project governance and decision-making.
• Working collaboratively with project stakeholders and cost modelling specialists to identify financial pressures, opportunities and affordability considerations.
• You will also contribute to portfolio governance, financial compliance, cost optimisation initiatives and strategic planning activities to ensure successful delivery of Defence digital outcomes.

Skills

Financial analysis

Budgeting

Forecasting

Stakeholder engagement

Excel modelling

Procurement knowledge

Communication

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Downer Professional Services comprises our Technical, Advisory and Capability consulting practice, and Team Downer, which partners with CASG and NSSG as a major service provider to Defence. Together, we are a trusted advisory and delivery partner supporting some of Australia's most important Defence capabilities.

Downer Professional Services is seeking an experienced Finance Manager to support the delivery of critical digital capability programs within Defence.

About the Role

Working within a complex ICT acquisition and sustainment environment, you will provide financial leadership, budget oversight, forecasting, commitment tracking and reporting to support informed decision-making and successful project delivery. This role offers the opportunity to work closely with Defence stakeholders, project teams and senior executives to ensure affordability, governance and financial integrity across the program lifecycle.

This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to Defence's digital transformation agenda while working on programs that deliver tangible capability outcomes for the Australian Defence Force.

What You'll Do

As the Finance Manager, you will play a key role in managing the project's financial performance and supporting Commonwealth governance requirements. Your responsibilities will include:

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing project budgets, forecasts, expenditure reporting and financial records.
• Monitoring financial performance against approved funding allocations and identifying variances or emerging risks.
• Maintaining oversight of project commitments, contracts, purchase orders and financial obligations.
• Providing financial advice, recommendations and reporting to support project governance and decision-making.
• Working collaboratively with project stakeholders and cost modelling specialists to identify financial pressures, opportunities and affordability considerations.

You will also contribute to portfolio governance, financial compliance, cost optimisation initiatives and strategic planning activities to ensure successful delivery of Defence digital outcomes.

About You

You are a commercially minded finance professional who enjoys working in complex project environments and partnering with stakeholders to drive informed business decisions. You thrive in fast-paced environments and can confidently translate financial data into meaningful insights.

To be successful, you will bring:

• Experience in financial management within the Australian Federal Government environment.
• Strong financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting and reporting capability.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including financial modelling, scenario analysis and pivot tables.
• Experience supporting complex ICT acquisition, sustainment or large-scale program environments.
• The ability to interpret cost estimates, procurement profiles and work breakdown structures within financial management activities.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to brief senior executives.

Why Downer Professional Services

At Downer Professional Services, we're not just a workplace - we're a business dedicated to contributing to the shaping of the future of defence in Australia. As the country's only sovereign prime, we're committed to making a real difference in protecting Australia's interests.

What is means to belong at Downer Professional Services

• Meaningful work: Help to deliver critical Defence projects that protect Australia and shape its future.
• Professional development: Access career mapping, accelerated learning programs, and shared learning through our Communities of Practice.
• Great perks: Enjoy discounts on healthcare, retail, vehicles, and more through Perks@Downer.
• Veteran support: Benefit from initiatives like up to 20 days of Reservist Leave to stay connected post-service.

You want your work to matter and so do we. With over 26,000 people across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, our team is made up of individuals with unique perspectives, backgrounds, and ideas.

We know that diversity makes us stronger and we actively celebrate it through our commitment to inclusion and belonging.

We're committed to building a team that reflects the diverse communities we serve and we welcome people of all ages, genders, sexual orientations, cultures, abilities, and lived experiences. We especially encourage applications from those whose voices have traditionally been underrepresented in our industry, including women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Māori and Pasifika Peoples, veterans, people with disability, and neurodivergent individuals. Even if your experience doesn't align perfectly with this role, we'd still like to hear from you.

As a WORK180 Endorsed Employer, we support flexibility that works for your life, inclusive leadership that values your voice, and equitable access to opportunity so you can do your best work and bring your whole self to it.

If you need support or adjustments through the recruitment process, just let us know, we're here to help you put your best foot forward.