Head of Finance - FP&A

AARNet Pty; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

17% superannuation

Parental leave 24 weeks

Wellness leave 2 days/month

Job summary

AARNet Pty is seeking a Head of Finance – FP&A in Chatswood, NSW, offering hybrid work and permanent full-time employment. You will be the CFO's second-in-command, leading financial planning, forecasting, capex, and capital governance across a multi-entity group, providing strategic analysis to the CEO and Board.

You will manage P&L, budgeting, and long-range planning, build robust financial models, and lead a high-calibre FP&A team, enabling real-time data visualisation and improved financial

Qualifications

• CA or CPA with accounting qualification.
• 8+ years post-qualification experience in a similar role.
• Strong commercial and technical accounting skills with project finance.
• Advanced Excel modelling with Power BI or Tableau.
• Experience in telecommunications, technology or asset-intensive industries; ERP familiarity.
• Australian citizenship is required.

Responsibilities

• Deputise CFO and represent Finance to the CEO, ELT and Board when CFO is unavailable.
• Own P&L, capex and cash forecasts; lead annual budget and Long-Range Plan.
• Lead financial modelling and business cases for major capital investment.
• Oversee capital governance from spend tracking to the Fixed Asset Register.
• Run scenario and sensitivity analysis to stress-test financial resilience.
• Deliver high-quality Board and Steering Committee reporting, and streamline reporting towards real-time data visualisation.
• Strengthen FP&A processes and develop the FP&A team.

Skills

CA/CPA

8+ years exp

Advanced Excel

Power BI

Tableau

ERP experience

Stakeholder comms

Education

CA/CPA designation

Tools

Power BI

Tableau

ERP systems

Job description

Head of Finance – FP&A | Deputy to the CFO Chatswood, NSW (hybrid) | Permanent full-time |

Be the CFO's second-in-command at AARNet, the national network powering Australian research and education. Lead FP&A, capital planning and Board reporting in a complex, asset-intensive business.

About AARNet AARNet is Australia's National Research and Education Network. Since 1989 we have built and run the world-class network infrastructure that connects more than one million researchers, faculty, staff and students across Australia and links them to the world. We are innovators, doers and courageous thinkers, building the solutions our customers will need tomorrow, today.

The role Reporting to the CFO, you will be the CFO's 2IC and a core member of the Finance leadership team. You will lead financial planning, forecasting, capital planning and performance analysis across a multi-entity group. You will advise the CEO and Executive Leadership Team, present to the Board and its committees, and work closely with the Financial Controller so that planning and reporting work as one integrated whole.

What you'll do

• Act as the CFO's deputy and represent Finance to the CEO, ELT and Board when the CFO is unavailable
• Own the P&L, capex and cash rolling forecasts, and lead the annual budget and Long-Range Plan
• Lead financial modelling and business cases for major capital investment in a national network
• Oversee capital governance, from project spend tracking through to the Fixed Asset Register
• Run scenario and sensitivity analysis to stress-test financial resilience
• Deliver high-quality Board and Steering Committee reporting, and streamline reporting towards real-time data visualisation
• Strengthen financial processes and controls, and lead and develop the FP&A team

About you

• Tertiary qualified in accounting, finance or a related field, and a qualified CA or CPA
• 8+ years' post-qualification experience, most recently in a similar role in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment
• Strong commercial and technical accounting skills, with project finance acumen
• Advanced Excel modelling skills and experience with Power BI, Tableau or similar
• Able to explain complex financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders
• Experience in telecommunications, technology or another asset-intensive industry, and with ERP financials, is highly regarded
• You must be an Australian citizen to be eligible for this role.

Why Work at AARNet?

At AARNet, we’re passionate about advancing global education and critical research. Our Australia-wide network, with global reach, supports some of the most demanding network-based applications. If you’re looking for a purpose-driven workplace where you can make a difference, consider joining our team.

Make an impact:

By working with us, you’ll directly contribute to critical research in fields like astronomy, physics, earth observation, environment, health, and medicine. Our mission matters, and we’re committed to providing equal opportunities for all.

Competitive Benefits and Conditions:

• Superannuation: Enjoy a 17% superannuation contribution.
• Parental/Adoption Leave: We offer 24 weeks of paid parental leave and superannuation top-up.
• Secondary Carer Leave: 16 weeks of paid parental leave for secondary caregivers.
• Wellness Leave: 2 days per month paid Women’s wellness leave.
• Family & Domestic Violence Leave: 20 days of paid leave.
• Other Supportive Leaves: Paid leave for various life events such as weddings, deaths, trauma, and disasters.
• Purchased Leave: Options to purchase additional Annual Leave.
• Flexible Work Options: We support work-life balance.
• Equal Opportunity Focus: We value diversity and inclusion.
• Social Responsibility and Ethics: We lead by example.
• Cutting-Edge Technologies: Access to work with the latest industry technology.