23rd September, 2024

Who are we?

Standards Australia (SA) is the peak standards development organisation in Australia, with a rich history that dates back to 1922. Currently, we are undergoing a significant transformation and growth phase. In recent years, our workforce has doubled, and we now proudly employ over 300 professionals dedicated to helping shape Australia’s future and fulfilling our mission of empowering communities.

Our organisation brings experts together to create national and international standards that serve as essential guidelines for products and services, ultimately benefiting the Australian community. Our vision is to be a global leader in providing trusted solutions that improve life today and tomorrow.

About the role

You will be instrumental in guiding our not-for-profit organisation through a pivotal phase of customer transformation and growth. Your primary focus will be to provide strategic financial management and leadership to support of our long-term strategic objectives and organisational sustainability.

What you'll do

In this role, you will oversee the company’s financial operations, communicate the financial story of the organisation, and guide resource allocation in line with the company’s long-term strategic plan. You will manage the organisation’s investment fund, balancing growth with financial sustainability and risk, and lead due diligence and financial analysis for future activities. Developing and implementing best-practice financial policies and procedures, managing the External Auditor relationship, and ensuring the integrity of financial reporting, internal controls, and compliance are also crucial aspects of this role. Additionally, you will oversee commercial decision-making, establish a framework for tracking and enhancing commercial performance, manage and oversee the company’s financial systems, and advise on market changes while providing strategic financial recommendations to the Executive Leadership Team and Board.

You will work closely with the CEO and Executive Leadership Team to formulate and execute strategic plans that align with our purpose and drive transformative growth. You will provide visionary financial leadership and management, ensuring the alignment of commercial strategies, investment management, and funds allocation with our purpose-driven objectives. Additionally, you will cultivate a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and customer-centricity within the finance function and across the organisation. Leading, coaching, and developing the Finance Team to ensure high performance and succession planning will be key responsibilities, along with leading organisational change with a focus on innovation, customer centricity, and diversity.

About you

• Master's degree (or equivalent experience) in Accounting, Business accounting, or Finance
• At least 5 years’ experience in executive leadership roles with commercial responsibilities
• Strong commercial leadership qualities, integrity, and clear sense of accountability
• Exceptional interpersonal communication skills with the ability to communicate and manage employees at all levels
• Understanding of advanced accounting, regulatory issues, and tax planning

Ideal, but not essential:

• An MBA or CPA
• Senior finance experience in the information and data economy or digital publishing
• M&A experience
• Investment fund management experience

Culture & Benefits

Standards Australia is proud to have been awarded the prestigious Employer of Choice Award for two consecutive years, 2023 and 2024. This recognition highlights our commitment to creating an exceptional workplace and fostering a culture of excellence. Our i CARE values form the basis of all we do - Integrity, Courage, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence.

Standards Australia offers many benefits such as flexibility with working from home, regular team events, additional personal/carer’s leave, regular awards, and on-going training. Our award-winning People Perks program includes the following great benefits:

• Nine-day fortnight – enjoy every second Friday off
• Parental and secondary carer leave benefits – supporting you and your growing family
• Workiversary rewards – your commitment and loyalty won’t go unrecognised!
• Global working – do you have working rights in another country? Enjoy a few weeks of international working every year
• Early access to long service leave – why wait 10 years for long service leave? 5 years sounds a lot better!

What's next?

For any inquiries regarding our CFO position, please reach out to Watermark Search, the executive recruitment firm partnered with Standards Australia on this role. You can contact Bronwen Kerr (Engagement Manager) at 02 9233 1200 or via email at bronwen.kerr@watermarksearch.com.au. We look forward to your questions and appreciate your interest in this exciting opportunity.

At Standards Australia, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to fostering a working environment that values diversity, inclusion, and belonging. Our mission is to empower our communities , and in doing so, we strive to create an organisation that genuinely reflects and respects the diversity of the communities we serve; putting people at the heart of all we do. We welcome applications from people of all cultural and linguistic groups, people of all ages and genders, people of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander background, people with a disability, and people from the LGBTQIA+ community. Should you need any adjustments to be made to our recruitment process, please contact bronwen.kerr@watermarksearch.com.au