- Senior finance leadership role influencing CEO, ELT and Council
- Shape financial strategy, governance and long term sustainability
- Lead a significant function through change and transformation
City of Charles Sturt is one of South Australia’s largest metropolitan councils, serving a diverse and growing community across Adelaide’s western suburbs. They play an important role in shaping the liveability, sustainability and economic future of the region through strong governance, strategic investment and community focused services.
They are committed to continuous improvement and are evolving how they operate to support long term outcomes for their community. This includes a focus on strong leadership, accountable decision making and building contemporary systems and practices that enable the organisation to perform at its best.
Role Overview
Reporting to the General Manager Corporate Services, this is a critical appointment responsible for leading the organisation’s financial management function and providing strategic financial leadership at the highest levels.
The Manager Financial Services is a trusted advisor to the CEO, Executive Leadership Team and Elected Members, contributing directly to organisational strategy, long term planning and sustainable decision making. The role holds accountability for financial governance, performance, compliance and the frameworks that underpin the organisation’s financial integrity.
The role requires a leader who can build on recent improvements within the function, continue to strengthen financial governance and business partnering, and confidently lead through ongoing complexity and change.
This role is central to the organisation’s leadership, performance and reputation, and will play a key role in shaping future direction.
About the Person
City of Charles Sturt are seeking an accomplished finance leader with strong judgement, executive presence and the credibility to build trust and influence across senior stakeholders, including the CEO, Executive Leadership Team and Elected Members.
You are a natural people leader, with a collaborative style that develops capability, builds engagement and supports strong team performance. You bring experience providing advice at executive or board level, strong commercial and strategic capability, and the confidence to operate effectively in complex and highly visible environments.
You will be comfortable navigating governance requirements, balancing competing priorities and contributing to broader organisational outcomes beyond the finance function. Strong communication skills, sound decision making and the ability to build constructive relationships across the organisation will be critical to success.
Experience within local government will be well regarded but is not a prerequisite. Candidates from other complex, regulated or public facing environments are strongly encouraged to apply.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide high level strategic financial advice to the CEO, Executive Leadership Team and Elected Members
- Lead the development and delivery of organisational financial strategy, planning and governance frameworks
- Oversee all aspects of financial management, including reporting, statutory compliance and internal controls
- Lead, develop and sustain a high performing finance function
- Drive continuous improvement across financial systems, processes and controls
- Support long term financial sustainability through robust planning and informed decision making
- Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders
- Demonstrated experience in senior finance leadership roles within complex environments
- Proven ability to advise, influence and build credibility at executive and board level
- Strong commercial acumen and strategic financial capability
- Experience leading teams and supporting organisational change initiatives
- Highly developed communication and stakeholder engagement skills
- Tertiary qualifications in Accounting, Finance or a related discipline
- CPA or CA qualification essential
The City of Charles Sturt’s organisational values are passionate, progressive, caring and courageous. Leaders are expected to model organisational values, foster a constructive culture and contribute positively to organisational performance and community outcomes.
For more information please contact Joanne Murtagh 08 7100 3078
Please note – all applicant resumes must be submitted in Word format only.
Applications close 4 th February 2026 at 4pm
