Finance Officer

Downer; Canberra; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Downer Professional Services in Canberra is seeking a Finance Officer to support MIWS projects, delivering cost modelling, financial analysis and project reporting. The role involves engaging stakeholders, preparing finance materials for Investment Committee submissions, and mentoring junior Cost Analysts.

You will work within a Defence-focused environment, ensuring alignment with cost controls and governance requirements while contributing to capability uplift across MIWS and project teams.

Qualifications

• Experience building, updating and validating complex cost models for defence or large projects.
• Strong ability to analyse variances and prepare concise, decision-ready finance materials.
• Ability to produce high-quality reporting and dashboard inputs for governance meetings.
• Proven experience supporting project teams and mentoring junior cost analysts.

Responsibilities

• Engage in planning forums and align with program priorities.
• Deliver cost modelling and financial analysis, update cost models, prepare finance tables.
• Produce PMB slide updates, briefs and monthly reporting artefacts for reviews.

Skills

Cost modelling

Financial analysis

Reporting

Stakeholder engagement

Defence financial frameworks

Coaching/mentoring

Job description

Join our Downer Professional Services team and play a key role in delivering complex defence and national security projects that safeguard Australia’s future.

Downer Professional Services comprises of three business units 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 multi-disciplinary advisory and delivery partner of choice for clients across Defence and National Security.

We currently have an opportunity for a Finance Officer in Canberra to work on MIWS projects.

What You’ll Do

This role offers a broad scope, with key role responsibilities include:

• Engage in regular planning and stakeholder forums — attend PPMO planning days, project syncs, town halls, team meetings and stakeholder engagement sessions to stay aligned with program priorities.
• Deliver cost modelling and financial analysis — develop, update and validate project cost models, prepare finance tables, support Investment Committee submissions and conduct variance, escalation and affordability analysis.
• Provide project reporting and documentation support — produce PMB slide updates, decision briefs, dashboard inputs, monthly reporting artefacts and documentation for reviews and committee processes.
• Support and mentor team members — guide new Cost Analysts, share knowledge on cost modelling and tender processes, and contribute to capability uplift across MIWS and project teams.
• Perform ad ‑ hoc analytical and financial tasks — deliver targeted analysis (Workforce, NRE, AMCIP, PI, SAAB, CSI ‑ IPT), support contract change proposals, respond to finance queries and complete mandatory training requirements.

What You’ll Bring

• Advanced cost ‑ modelling expertise — ability to build, update and validate complex project cost models, including AMCIP, workforce costings, baseline models, escalation calculations and Investment Committee–ready artefacts.
• Strong financial analysis and reporting capability — skilled in variance analysis, asset valuation updates, preparing finance tables for CABSUB, and producing high ‑ quality documentation for committees and reviews.
• Stakeholder engagement and communication skills — able to contribute to decision briefs, collaborate with project teams, and participate effectively in planning days, town halls, syncs and cross ‑ team forums.
• Proficiency with Defence financial frameworks and tools — understanding of DRN/DSN ‑ compliant modelling, Section 23 processes, DFG ledgers, and Defence governance/reporting requirements.
• Coaching, mentoring and knowledge ‑ transfer capability — supporting new Cost Analysts, sharing expertise on cost modelling and tender processes, and contributing to capability uplift across MIWS and project teams.

Due to the nature of the work, you are required to currently hold and maintain an AGSVA Security clearance as required by the Commonwealth. In some instances, compliance with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) requirements may also be an inherent requirement.

More than anything, you’ll bring a strong work ethic, a positive attitude, and a commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes for our clients.

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 allages, 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. If it feels like the right fit, apply - potential counts, and so do 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.