Chief Financial Officer

Job no: 493839
Work type: Full Time
Location: Head Office, Canberra
Classification: Senior Executive Service Band 1

The Role
The Chief Finance Officer (CFO) is responsible for leading DHA’s financial management and advisory functions to support the achievement of organisational objectives. The CFO provides strategic oversight of financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting, ensuring strong financial governance, compliance, and sustainability. The role delivers expert financial advice to senior executives, manages financial risk, oversees investment and resource allocation, and supports informed decision-making aligned with DHA’s strategic priorities and government requirements.

The CFO Branch, as part of the Enabling Services Group, is responsible for ensuring the financial sustainability of DHA, by supporting effective decision making, resource allocation and policy compliance for both internal and external stakeholders. They provide enterprise financial stewardship, commercial management and assurance to support DHA’s sustainability, value for money and compliance with government and Defence requirements. There are five teams within the Branch, including: 

• Corporate Support - Provides corporate shared services, accounts payable and receivable, commercial accommodation and facilities management, and financial systems support to enable efficient operations and informed decision-making.
• Procurement & Contract Management - Leads procurement operations and contract management to ensure value for money, probity, compliance and effective supplier performance.
• Corporate Accounting - Delivers statutory financial accounting, taxation, asset accounting and development accounting to ensure financial integrity, compliance and accurate reporting.
• Forecasting & Business Analysis - Provides enterprise forecasting, commercial modelling and treasury management to support strategic decision-making, financial sustainability and investment planning.
• Partnering & Performance - Delivers management accounting, finance business partnering and performance reporting to support operational decision-making, accountability and continuous improvement.

All SES roles represent the Australian Public Service (APS) and government externally to stakeholders and are characterised by a high level of accountability for outcomes. How outcomes are delivered is equally as important as the outcome. The Secretaries’ Charter of Leadership Behaviours sets out the behaviours Secretaries expect of themselves and SES, and want to see in leaders at all levels of the APS.  The Charter focuses on behaviours that support modern systems leadership within the construct of the APS Values and Code of Conduct. These behaviours build on the Integrated Leadership System and APS Leadership Capability Framework.

Everyday Activities
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and operating as a key member of DHA’s senior executive cohort, the Chief Financial Officer provides strategic leadership and stewardship of DHA’s financial and corporate support functions. In alignment with DHA’s strategic objectives, the role is responsible for driving enterprise performance, sound financial governance, and sustainable long-term outcomes.
Key activities include:

• Provide strategic leadership as an active and influential member of the DHA Executive Leadership Team, contributing to whole of organisation strategy, governance and priority setting.
• Provide authoritative, pragmatic and forward-looking financial advice to the Managing Director, Executive, and Board to support DHA’s strategic, commercial and financial objectives. 
• Provide significant influence, strategic input and subject matter expertise to the Board Audit and Risk Committee.
• Apply deep technical, analytical and financial expertise to inform executive decision-making, optimise resource allocation, and deliver value-for-money outcomes across the organisation.
• Shape and influence DHA’s financial, funding and capital strategies, partnering with senior leaders and shareholders to ensure alignment with current and future organisational needs.
• Lead the design, implementation and continuous improvement of robust financial management, reporting and control frameworks that meet legislative, policy and best-practice governance requirements.
• Ensure the integrity, transparency and reliability of forecasting, budgeting and financial reporting methodologies to support sound decision-making and accountability.
• Provide strategic oversight of DHA’s budgeting program and financial processes, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality outputs and effective financial stewardship.
• Lead the delivery of finance and corporate support services with a strong focus on customer service, operational efficiency, risk management and continuous improvement.
• Build, lead and sustain a high-performing, values-driven culture across finance and corporate support functions, promoting accountability, collaboration and professional excellence.
• Identify, develop and deploy workforce capability to ensure DHA has the financial and technical expertise required to meet current demands and future challenges.
• Establish and maintain strong, productive relationships across DHA to enable integrated planning, cooperation and coordinated delivery of business outcomes.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of corporate policies, procedures and frameworks, providing clear leadership and guidance on financial and governance matters.
• Represent DHA at senior-level cross-agency forums, working groups and committees, contributing to whole-of-government and sector-wide initiatives.
• Represent DHA at Senate Estimates, providing clear, evidenced-based insights and demonstrating transparent, accountable stewardship.
• Proactively engage with Commonwealth, State and Territory agencies, and non-government stakeholders, navigating complex and politically sensitive environments to advance DHA’s interests.
• Champion DHA-wide initiatives beyond the immediate function, contributing to organisational reform, improvement programs and leadership priorities.
• Partner closely with the Managing Director, Senior Executives and the Board to identify and pursue financial strategies that support DHA’s long-term sustainability and strategic direction.

Qualifications and Experience Requirements
The Chief Financial Officer will bring extensive senior executive experience in financial leadership within complex, commercially oriented public sector environments, with a demonstrated capacity to operate as a trusted strategic adviser at Executive and Board level. You will have:

• Tertiary qualifications in finance, accounting, commerce or related fields, with CA/CPA or equivalent professional status, and/or significant senior executive experience in Commonwealth financial management.
• Senior executive background providing strategic financial leadership in large or commercially focused organisations, overseeing enterprise-wide performance and governance.
• Experience advising Boards and senior leadership on corporate governance, financial strategy, risk and performance.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills to anticipate issues, assess risks and opportunities, and make sound decisions under pressure.
• Ability to shape strategy, influence results, and drive change through financial leadership.
• Skilled at navigating uncertainty and competing priorities, offering clear and practical advice for decision-making.
• Excellent communication skills, able to explain complex financial concepts to Ministers, Boards, executives and stakeholders.
• Strong negotiation, representation and influencing skills, with a demonstrated ability to resolve complex issues and guide negotiations to successful outcomes.
• Extensive experience building and sustaining productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders across government, industry and the non-government sector, including in politically sensitive environments.
• Demonstrated success in leading high-performing, geographically dispersed and multidisciplinary teams, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, continuous improvement and professional excellence.
• Proven track record in leading significant programs, initiatives or reforms in complex, sensitive and operationally diverse environments, while managing organisational risk and delivering measurable outcomes.
• Strong personal integrity, resilience and leadership credibility, with a clear commitment to the APS Values, Code of Conduct and ethical stewardship of public resources.

Essential Capabilities
Shapes strategic thinking:

• Focusses strategically.
• Inspires a sense of purpose and strategic direction.
• Harnesses information and opportunities.
• Shows judgement, intelligence and common sense.

Achieves results:

• Builds organisational capability and responsiveness.
• Marshals professional expertise.
• Steers and implements change and deals with uncertainty.
• Ensures closure and delivers on intended results.
• Manages information and records.
• Engages with technology.

Cultivates productive working relationships:

• Nurtures internal and external relationships.
• Facilitates cooperation and partnerships.
• Values individual differences and diversity.
• Guides, mentors and develops people.

Displays personal drive and integrity:

• Demonstrates public service professionalism and probity.
• Exemplifies the ‘DRIVE’ Secretaries' Charter of Leadership Behaviours.
• Promotes, manages and upholds the APS Values, Code of Conduct and Employment Principles, including Stewardship.
• Engages with risk and shows personal courage.
• Commits to action.
• Displays resilience.
• Demonstrates self-awareness and commitment to personal development.

Communicates with influence:

• Communicates clearly and with influence.
• Listens, understands and adapts to the audience.
• Negotiates persuasively.

Technical Proficiency:

• Demonstrated capacity to focus on business improvement and organisational sustainability.
• Demonstrated capacity to lead and drive transformational change to achieve strategic objectives.
• Demonstrated strategic leadership in the delivery of property services.

Eligibility Requirements 
Employment with DHA is subject to the following conditions: 

• Australian Citizenship.
• Security Clearance: The occupant of this position must obtain and retain an AGSVA security clearance to the specified level. 
• Probation: A probation period will apply to any new ongoing engagement to the Australian Public Service. 

How to apply
Applications must be submitted through Beaumont & Beaumont’s online recruitment system: www.beaumontandbeaumont.com.au/11653 

Your application should include:

• A written pitch of up to 1000 words which outlines your skills and experience and how they align to the advertised role
• An up-to-date CV

Before applying, please review the Candidate Information Pack and selection criteria. If you have further questions after reviewing the materials or if you need assistance with the application process, please contact Beaumont & Beaumont on (02) 6126 4500 or via DHA@beaumontandbeaumont.com.au 

All enquiries will be kept in strict confidence. 

Please note, applications close 11:30 PM AEDT Sunday 1 March 2026. 

View Candidate Pack