Chief Financial Officer
The University of Western Australia

Finance provides enterprise-wide financial leadership, stewardship and advisory services that enable the University to achieve its strategic and operational objectives.

The Finance function operates within the University's professional services delivery model, delivering end-to-end financial management, budgeting, forecasting, compliance, procurement, treasury, investment management and financial operations services.

The portfolio plays a critical role in supporting the University's strategic ambitions through strong financial governance, sustainable resource allocation, effective risk management and high-quality decision support.

The Finance function is responsible for:

• Supporting the University's long-term financial sustainability and resilience
• Maintaining robust financial governance, compliance and control frameworks
• Delivering efficient, customer-focused and continuously improving financial services
• Providing strategic financial insight to support institutional decision-making
• Driving operational efficiency and value creation through effective stewardship of University resources

The role operates in a complex and highly regulated higher education environment characterised by changing student demand, evolving funding models, increasing regulatory expectations, significant capital investment, international operations and growing expectations regarding organisational performance, governance and accountability. The position engages extensively with governing bodies, executive leadership, government agencies, regulators, financial institutions, external auditors and sector stakeholders.

Reports to: Vice-Chancellor

Direct reports:

• Head of Procurement
• Head of Financial Compliance
• Head of Financial Performance
• Head of Treasury & Investment
• Executive Officer

The Chief Financial Officer is a key member of the University Executive and provides enterprise-wide financial leadership, stewardship and strategic advice to the University.

The role is accountable for the University's financial sustainability, governance, capital and investment management, financial performance, and the effectiveness, efficiency and continuous improvement of the Finance function across the institution and its controlled entities.

As a trusted adviser to the Vice-Chancellor, Executive, Audit and Risk Committee, Strategic Resources Committee and Senate, the Chief Financial Officer provides leadership on financial, commercial and strategic matters, ensuring the University maintains strong financial resilience, delivers value from its resources, and is well positioned to achieve its strategic objectives.

The role provides enterprise leadership beyond the Finance portfolio and contributes to the achievement of whole-of-University outcomes, including the successful delivery of the University's strategic priorities, international ambitions and long-term sustainability objectives.

The role leads the Finance function and is responsible for modern, customer-focused and data-driven financial services that support effective decision-making, operational excellence and institutional performance.

• Act as a full member of the University Executive, contributing to enterprise strategy, performance, transformation and decision-making.
• Provide enterprise financial leadership, ensuring the University's long-term financial sustainability, resilience and institutional viability.
• Partner with the Vice-Chancellor, Executive, Audit and Risk Committee, Strategic Resources Committee and Senate to provide authoritative advice on strategic, financial, commercial, investment and risk matters.
• Establish and maintain the University's financial management and governance framework, ensuring effective stewardship of resources across the University, its controlled entities and strategic investments.
• Lead the University's financial strategy, budgeting, forecasting, financial planning and performance management activities to support strategic and operational decision-making.
• Oversee statutory financial reporting, financial compliance, assurance activities and internal control frameworks, ensuring compliance with legislative, regulatory and governance requirements.
• Lead enterprise-wide financial risk management, treasury, debt, capital, investment and major infrastructure funding activities to safeguard and optimise the University's financial position.
• Provide executive oversight of procurement, commercial governance and strategic financial decision-making, ensuring probity, value for money and alignment with institutional priorities.
• Lead end-to-end finance operations and service delivery, driving operational excellence, customer-focused outcomes, and the digital transformation, automation and continuous improvement of finance systems, processes and services.
• Lead and inspire the Finance function, building organisational capability, developing future leaders, fostering accountability, inclusion, innovation and high performance, and promoting a culture of service excellence and continuous improvement.

• A tertiary qualification in accounting, finance, business, commerce or a related discipline.
• Full professional membership of a recognised accounting body, such as CPA Australia or Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.
• Extensive executive-level experience leading finance functions within large, complex organisations.
• Demonstrated success in advising chief executives, governing bodies and senior executives on significant financial, commercial, investment and strategic matters.
• Proven capability in developing and implementing financial strategy within complex and highly regulated environments.
• Extensive experience leading budgeting, forecasting, financial planning and performance management processes at an enterprise level.
• Demonstrated experience leading treasury, capital management, investment oversight and financial risk management activities.
• Strong understanding of governance, compliance, audit and statutory reporting requirements.
• Demonstrated capability to lead large multidisciplinary teams and drive organisational performance through effective leadership and engagement.
• Proven experience leading enterprise-wide transformation, operational improvement and service delivery enhancement initiatives.
• Strong commercial acumen and the ability to exercise sound judgement in complex, high-value and high-risk decision-making environments.
• Demonstrated ability to build effective relationships with government agencies, regulators, financial institutions, external auditors and sector stakeholders.
• Strong analytical capability and the ability to translate complex financial information into clear strategic advice and recommendations.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement, innovation and customer-focused service delivery.
• Demonstrated understanding of, and respect for, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures and communities.

• Eligibility to hold a senior executive appointment within a public university environment.
• Ability to satisfy probity, fitness and conflict-of-interest requirements applicable to senior executives.
• Current National Police Clearance, or the ability to obtain and maintain one.
• Willingness and capacity to undertake domestic and occasional international travel.
• Ongoing compliance with professional accreditation and continuing professional development requirements.
• Compliance with confidentiality, information security and governance obligations applicable to senior executives.

The Chief Financial Officer is expected to:

• Comply with all relevant Commonwealth and State legislation, University policies, procedures, delegations and governance frameworks.
• Uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, accountability and ethical conduct, consistent with the University's Code of Conduct and values.
• Ensure effective financial governance, assurance and internal control practices are maintained across the University and promote a culture of compliance, transparency and responsible stewardship of University resources.
• Fulfil all duties and responsibilities under applicable work health and safety legislation and actively support the University's commitment to safety, health and wellbeing.
• Foster an inclusive, respectful and equitable workplace culture, consistent with the University's Inclusion and Diversity principles and behavioural expectations.