Chief Finance Officer

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The Mornington Shire Council is a Local Government Authority providing services to the Gununa township area situated on Mornington Island which is the major Island within the twenty-three islands of the Wellesley Island Group situated in the southern section of the Gulf of Carpentaria. It is a remote community located 125kms north-west of Burketown, 200kms west of Karumba and 444kms from Mount Isa within the State of Queensland. The island is 2.5 hours flight from Cairns.

Mornington island is the largest island of the Wellesley Island Group and the township of Gununa is located on the southern end of what is a pristine wilderness area which offers some of the best fishing in Australia. Gununa contains the Council’s officers and workshops, the community's professional and social services providers are also based here such as the local Schools, the Hospital and Aged Care, Emergency Services and other Government Agencies, the shopping centre, butcher and Tavern and also houses the majority of the Shire’s population.

The Role

We are currently recruiting for an experienced Chief Financial Officer to join our team. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the role will develop and drive the financial strategy as well as the financial business and operational reforms required to ensure the ongoing financial sustainability of Council. This will require a review of the current finance structure and the embedding of financial systems and practices in all areas of the Council’s operations. There will also need to be a strong focus on developing profitable business operations, a clear forward capital program with effective funding operations, engaging with corporate providers and negotiating commercial agreements with government, private entities and other potential strategic investors.

Key Responsibilities include:

· Provide financial leadership and operational direction to support the Council’s growth and financial investment and funding objectives

· Develop and execute financial strategies aligned with the Council’s strategic, business and operational plans.

· Ensure financial compliance with all regulatory and reporting requirements.

· Identify, structure, and implement diverse funding opportunities including for infrastructure projects

· Oversee the Council’s capital-raising activities, including debt, equity, and hybrid financing solutions

· Lead financial structuring and negotiations.

· Negotiate and structure commercial agreements and leases with State Government and State-Owned Enterprises and other service providers

· Manage financial due diligence, business case development, investment analysis, and risk assessments for potential major initiatives, contractors and other potential strategic partnerships

· Drive processes to secure optimised project finance arrangements, ensuring alignment with Council’s strategic, operational, and business objectives

· Collaborate with government departments and entities as well as external finance and audit service providers to ensure we meet our statutory responsibilities within time and quality requirements

· Provide high quality financial and management information to the Council and the executive to enable them to be effective in their roles

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates who has the following:

· A Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, commerce or a related field (MBA or CPA/CA/CFA preferred).

· Proven experience as a CFO or a similar senior financial leadership role.

· Strong understanding of financial regulations and compliance.

· Exceptional financial modelling and analytical skills or ability to interpret

· Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal abilities.

· Strategic thinker with a track record of driving financial success.

· Strong leadership and team management skills.

Why Join Us?

· Our Values: Our core values are Honesty, Integrity, Respect and compassion, Proud to belong, Accountability and taking responsibility, Working together and for our community, Culturally appropriate. Care, Leadership, Integrity and Performance and represent the foundations of our great culture.

· Remuneration: We offer a competitive salary, bonus and benefits package.

· Meaningful Work: The work we do is valuable and connects all of our employees through a shared vision and our values.

· Sustainability: We actively focus on our environmental footprint and build upon community development initiatives in the community where we operate.

Mornington Shire Council is focused on delivering outcomes for the benefit of community which therefore requires building a financial platform that ensures future Council financial sustainability. We aim to create an environment that brings us all together through connection, security and community and harnessing what makes us unique. As an Equal Opportunity employer, we encourage and welcome applications from all genders, abilities, generations and cultural backgrounds.

Please note that this is an on-island position and only shortlisted candidates may be contacted regarding their application status.

Applications Close Wednesday 11 June 2025

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Your application will include the following questions:

Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in Australia? How many years' experience do you have as a chief financial officer? How many years of accounting experience do you have? How many years of people management experience do you have? Have you worked in a role which requires experience with financial analysis and modelling? Have you completed a qualification in business administration? How many years' experience do you have with forecasting for businesses? What's your expected annual base salary?

Mornington Shire Council headquarters are based in the only township, Gununa on Mornington Island and is approximately 444km north of Mount Isa and 28km off the coast of mainland Australia. Council delivers a range of vital services that extend into the community and commercial services supporting ongoing sustainability of our community and homelands, quality of life, employment and, provision of basic services that no other organisations deliver in our area.

Mornington Shire Council headquarters are based in the only township, Gununa on Mornington Island and is approximately 444km north of Mount Isa and 28km off the coast of mainland Australia. Council delivers a range of vital services that extend into the community and commercial services supporting ongoing sustainability of our community and homelands, quality of life, employment and, provision of basic services that no other organisations deliver in our area.

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