Head of Finance

Tonkin + Taylor; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 210,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Tonkin + Taylor in Australia is seeking an experienced finance leader to shape the future of our Australian portfolio. You will lead finance across our Australian businesses, combining strategic oversight with hands-on financial leadership.

This role partners with the Australian CEO, General Managers and the Board to drive performance, support growth, and provide commercial insights that inform investment decisions.

Qualifications

• Ambitious leader with strong business acumen and stakeholder management.
• Proven ability to influence at executive level and coach teams.
• Capable of balancing strategic decisions with hands-on execution.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building across a large organisation.
• Willingness to roll up sleeves and contribute wherever needed.

Responsibilities

• Act as trusted advisor to the CEO Australia and the leadership team.
• Provide commercial challenge and financial insight to guide decisions.
• Lead financial performance, reporting, forecasting and planning across multiple businesses.
• Collaborate with General Managers to improve project performance, margins and cash flow.
• Support strategic growth initiatives and portfolio opportunities.
• Lead and develop the Australian finance team and maintain governance and compliance.
• Build strong relationships across Australia and New Zealand.

Education

CA or CPA qualification

MBA or CFA viewed favourably

Job description

At Tonkin + Taylor, we're building something special across Australia.

With businesses spanning engineering, environmental consulting and specialist geotechnical services, we're looking for an experienced finance leader to help shape the future of our Australian portfolio.

This is not a role where you'll sit on the sidelines looking at spreadsheets.

You'll be a key member of the Australian leadership team, working alongside our Australian Chief Executive, General Managers and Board to help drive performance, support growth, challenge decisions, and provide the commercial insight needed to make great business choices. At the same time, you'll be expected to roll up your sleeves and get stuck into the detail when required.

The opportunity

You'll lead finance across our Australian businesses, providing both strategic leadership and hands-on financial oversight.

One day you could be presenting insights to senior leaders, helping shape investment decisions, or supporting growth opportunities. The next, you might be working through project performance, cash flow challenges, revenue recognition, compliance requirements, or helping your team solve a complex problem.

This is a role for someone who enjoys variety, thrives in a complex, fast-paced environment, and is comfortable moving between the boardroom and the engine room.

What you'll be doing

• Acting as a trusted advisor to the Chief Executive, Australia, and the Australian leadership team.
• Providing commercial challenge and financial insight to support good business decisions.
• Leading financial performance, reporting, forecasting and planning across multiple businesses.
• Working closely with General Managers to improve project performance, margins and cash flow.
• Supporting strategic growth initiatives, business improvement projects and portfolio opportunities.
• Leading and developing the Australian finance team.
• Maintaining strong governance, controls and compliance across the Australian portfolio.
• Building strong relationships with stakeholders across Australia and New Zealand.
• Helping shape the future direction of our growing Australian business.

We're looking for someone who

Has the credibility and confidence to operate at a leadership level, but doesn't mind getting their hands dirty.

You'll be equally comfortable presenting to senior leaders and Boards as you are reviewing project performance, solving operational issues or helping your team through a busy month-end.

Ideally you'll have:

• CA or CPA qualification, with additional qualifications such as an MBA or CFA viewed favourably.
• A background in consulting, engineering, professional services, or other project-based environments, with a strong understanding of commercial and operational drivers.
• 10+ years of senior finance experience.
• Experience leading finance teams and partnering with executive and business leaders.
• Strong commercial acumen, with experience turning financial insight into practical business outcomes.
• The ability to move comfortably between strategic decision-making and hands-on operational finance responsibilities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence, coach and build trusted relationships across a diverse organisation.
• A pragmatic, solutions-focused approach and the confidence to provide constructive challenge when required.
• Experience supporting business growth, organisational change, or integration activities would be advantageous.
• A willingness to roll up their sleeves and contribute wherever needed, while leading and developing a high-performing team.

Why Tonkin + Taylor?

You'll join a business with a strong reputation, great people and ambitious plans for growth across Australia.

This is an opportunity to genuinely influence the direction of multiple businesses, work closely with senior leaders, and help shape key strategic decisions.

Most importantly, you'll have the freedom to make an impact.

If you're looking for a role where you can lead, influence, challenge, support and still stay connected to the day-day realities of the business, we'd love to hear from you.

For further information, please contact Ronny Bilkhu - [e-mail]

Come and help us shape what's next for T+T Australia.