Senior Finance Business Partner

Cushman & Wakefield; North Canberra; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Global opportunities

Career progression

Work-life balance

Employee wellbeing

Job summary

Cushman & Wakefield seeks a Senior Finance Business Partner to manage operation finance for a large client portfolio. Location can be Canberra or Melbourne, with Australian citizenship mandatory and government security clearance required.

You will lead monthly financials, budgets, and planning, while guiding a team of qualified accountants and delivering high-quality financial services to clients and internal stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with professional designation.
• Advanced Excel and PowerBI; familiarity with Anaplan and Blackline.
• Strong knowledge of AASB16 Lease Accounting.
• Experience with JDE, SAP or other ERP systems.
• Proven leadership of a team of qualified accountants.

Responsibilities

• Oversee monthly financial reporting to government agencies and executives.
• Manage budgets, forecasts, and P&L commentary.
• Lead a team of accountants and drive process improvements.
• Ensure balance sheet integrity and internal controls.
• Engage with clients and stakeholders to align expectations.

Skills

Team leadership

Commercial mindset

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Change management

Education

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

Tools

Excel (Advanced)

PowerBI

Anaplan

Blackline

ERP systems (JDE, SAP)

Job description

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"