Interim Chief Financial Officer

Derwent; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Derwent is seeking an experienced Interim Chief Financial Officer to lead the finance function for about six months with an immediate start, based in Greater Western Sydney. This hands‑on role requires building relationships with the executive team while sharpening reporting, forecasting and budgeting disciplines.

The successful candidate will deliver board‑ready insights to the private equity fund and executive leadership, with strong technical accounting knowledge and leadership across a

Qualifications

• CA or CPA qualified with strong technical accounting knowledge across financial reporting, statutory compliance and tax.
• Proven CFO experience in an industrial, private-equity-backed, multi-site or asset-intensive environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the finance function with accurate and timely reporting to the CEO, Board and private equity fund.
• Maintain and enhance financial reporting systems and controls.
• Strengthen forecasting and budgeting processes to improve accuracy and planning discipline.
• Mentor and develop finance team members to build capability and confidence.
• Assess and manage cost base across labour and fixed assets at multiple sites and fleets.
• Partner with commercial and operations teams to review sales performance and identify margin opportunities.
• Oversee cash flow and working capital management across the business.
• Support strategy execution, including M&A and transaction-related activity.

Job description

Our client is a private equity-backed, multi-site industrial business based in Greater Western Sydney. We are seeking an experienced Interim Chief Financial Officer to lead the finance function for a period of about 6 months, with an immediate start.

The Role

This is a hands‑on role, requiring the incumbent to quickly build relationships across the finance and executive leadership team. Key areas of focus will be assessing cost of labour and fixed asset utilisation, supporting the commercial team in reviewing sales performance, and strengthening forecasting and budget discipline.

The role requires an experienced operator to sharpen financial reporting, build capability within the finance team, while delivering confident, board‑ready insights to the private equity fund and executive leadership team.

As a key member of the leadership team, the Interim Chief Financial Officer will be required a minimum of three days in the office or as required.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the finance function, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting to the CEO, Board and private equity fund, with insight to support decision‑making.
• Maintain and enhance financial reporting systems and controls.
• Strengthen forecasting and budgeting processes to improve accuracy and planning discipline.
• Mentor and develop finance team members, building capability and confidence across the function.
• Assess and manage the cost base across labour and fixed assets, across operational sites and fleet.
• Partner with commercial and operations teams to review sales performance and identify opportunities for margin improvement.
• Oversee cash flow and working capital management across the business.
• Support the CEO and PE partner with strategy execution, including M&A and transaction‑related activity.

What You'll Bring

You must have proven experience as a Chief Financial Officer within an industrial, multi‑site or asset‑intensive environment. Experience operating within a private equity‑backed business is essential.

• Experience in labour and fixed asset cost analysis within a logistics or asset‑intensive operation.
• Demonstrated leadership experience building the capability of a finance team.
• Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to interpret cost and sales data to inform decisions.
• CA or CPA qualified, with strong technical accounting knowledge across financial reporting, statutory compliance and tax.

This is an interim engagement based in Greater Western Sydney. To be eligible, you must be available to start immediately or on short notice, with full Australian work rights without restrictions for the duration of the contract.