Senior Finance Business Partner

C&W Services (S); Canberra; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Cushman & Wakefield is seeking a Senior Finance Business Partner to lead financial management for a large client portfolio, based in Canberra or Melbourne. You will own monthly reporting, P&L reviews, balance sheet reconciliations, and budgeting processes, working with executives and operations teams.

The role requires Australian citizenship and the ability to obtain government security clearance. You will drive commercial insight, lead a team of accountants, and deliver high‑quality financial

Qualifications

• Experience leading a team of qualified accountants.
• Strong commercial mindset focused on value creation.
• Excellent communication to chair meetings and present complex financial concepts to non‑finance stakeholders.
• Strong analytical reasoning and ability to tell the story behind the numbers.
• Comfortable working in ambiguity and navigating change.
• Exceptional relationship management, influencing, and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Own the timely delivery of monthly financial requirements to government agencies, executives, and operational leaders.
• Monitor performance against financial KPIs under the contract and ensure reporting deadlines.
• Lead regular meetings with the team and stakeholders to ensure KPIs are met.
• Review contract P&L, including accruals, prepayments, variance analysis, and commentary.
• Ensure balance sheet reconciliations and internal controls are maintained.

Skills

Team leadership

Commercial acumen

Stakeholder management

Financial storytelling

Analytical thinking

Change management

Education

Qualified Accountant (CPA, CIMA, CFA, or CA)

Tools

Excel

PowerBI

Anaplan

Blackline

JDE

SAP

Job description

Job Title

Senior Finance Business Partner

Job Description Summary

Operation Finance Management of a large portfolio of clients.

Job Description

Location: Canberra or Melbourne

Eligibility: Australian Citizenship mandatory

Security Clearance: Must be able to obtain and maintain a government security clearance

Key Responsibilities

• Monthly Monitoring
  
  
  
  • Own the timely delivery of all monthly financial requirements to Government Agencies, Executives, and operational leaders.
  
  
  • Monitor performance against financial KPIs under the contract and ensure compliance with all reporting deadlines.
  
  
  • Lead regular meetings with your team and stakeholders to ensure financial and operational KPIs are met.
  
  
  • Review overall contract P&L, including accruals, prepayments, variance analysis, and commentary.
  
  
  • Ensure accurate balance sheet reconciliations and internal controls, including clearing aged items and outstanding queries.
  
  
  
  


• Budgets & Planning
  
  
  
  • Lead the delivery of annual budgets and periodic forecasts for the client.
  
  
  • Define, review, and agree on key assumptions, processes, and outputs with internal teams and the client.
  
  
  • Support business streams to complete budgets on time and in line with client requirements.
  
  
  • Identify risks and opportunities impacting full‑year performance and develop mitigation strategies.
  
  
  • Drive analytical reviews, year‑on‑year analysis, and deep‑dive commentary to support decision‑making.
  
  
  
  


• Relationship Management
  
  
  
  • Deliver high‑quality financial services to clients under the contract.
  
  
  • Provide financial support to operational and service delivery colleagues.
  
  
  • Execute operational plans set by leadership and ensure alignment with client expectations.
  
  
  
  


• Client Engagement
  
  
  
  • Represent Cushman & Wakefield professionally and ensure all work meets the highest standards.
  
  
  • Adapt quickly to changing client needs and maintain strong rapport to minimise escalations.
  
  
  • Raise blockers early to avoid unnecessary issues with senior clients.
  
  
  • Identify and flag cross‑selling opportunities to leadership.
  
  
  • Understand how your role connects to the broader account and ensure seamless collaboration across workstreams.
  
  
  
  


• Other Responsibilities
  
  
  
  • Perform additional duties as required by your manager.
  
  
  • Support major functions or events, including occasional extended hours during peak periods.
  
  
  • Develop and maintain operational standards, process maps, playbooks, and operating manuals.
  
  
  
  

About You

Leadership & Behavioural Capabilities

• Proven ability to lead, manage, and develop a team of qualified accountants.


• Strong commercial mindset with a focus on value creation and continuous improvement.


• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to chair meetings and present complex financial concepts to non‑finance stakeholders.


• Strong analytical reasoning and ability to "tell the story" behind the numbers.


• Comfortable working in ambiguity and navigating change.


• Exceptional relationship management, influencing, and negotiation skills.

Technical Skills

• Qualified Accountant (CPA, CIMA, CFA, or CA).


• Advanced Excel and PowerBI skills; experience with Anaplan and Blackline is advantageous.


• Strong understanding of AASB16 Lease Accounting.


• Experience with JDE, SAP, or other large ERP systems.

Why Join Cushman & Wakefield?

• Be part of a global organisation committed to diversity, inclusion, and professional growth.


• Opportunity to step into a senior leadership role with clear pathways for career progression.


• Supportive environment that values work‑life balance, flexibility, and employee wellbeing.

As an equal opportunity employer, Cushman & Wakefield encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and female candidates to apply. Cushman & Wakefield promotes safety at all times.

INCO: "Cushman & Wakefield"