Address
Form of workBackground
Christ Church Grammar School is a Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12 Anglican day and boarding school for boys in Perth, Western Australia. With more than 1750 students, the School has a long and proud history of educational achievement and is one of the best performing, non-selective boys’ schools in Australia. The School has an annual turnover of approximately $68m.
Following 22 years of outstanding service to the School, Mr John Price will be retiring at the end of Term 2, 2024. The School is therefore looking to recruit his replacement as Chief Financial Officer.
The Position
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is responsible to the Principal and determines, in consultation with the Principal, all the corporate financial affairs of the School. The position is both a strategic and operational one, anticipating attention to detail and creativity. The role is also the Secretary to the School Council and Treasurer of the School Foundation (Foundation).
The CFO role is expected to keep abreast of developments in the financial management of independent schools both within Australia and overseas. It is expected that an intimate knowledge is maintained of the changing Government policies affecting the funding and functioning of schools such as Christ Church Grammar School. Accordingly, the CFO is expected to advise the Principal and Council on such matters. It is also expected that the CFO will implement innovative business practices that bring financial benefit and appropriate efficiencies to the organisation. The School has an annual turnover of approximately $68M.
The CFO will be directly supported by key personnel including a Deputy CFO (CA & CPA), a Business Manager (CA), and a Senior Facilities Manager.
The role is invested with the financial sustainability of a major educational institution. As such, care and attention to detail will be critical in providing assurance to the Board and the Executive that the organisation’s finances are in good hands. Clear strategic capability will be needed to interface between the aspirations of the organisation and the resources needed to deliver them.
Key accountabilities will cover activities in the areas of:
- Strategic Planning
- Leadership
- Financial
- Facilities Management
- Risk Management and Compliance, and
- School Governance.
The Person
Christ Church Grammar is a values-based organisation, and the CFO will be an individual that builds the capability within their team to:
- Facilitate understanding about the role and value of processes (budgets, forecasts, reporting, timeframes) in facilitating the delivery of quality learning experiences and providing exemplary customer service.
- Builds the capability of their team to recognise the customers’ needs (and frustrations) so as to continuously improve the reputation of the enabling services as a critical part of the teaching and learning process.
- Is seen as an enabler, not a gate keeper.
- be sought out for their insight, input, and advice as part of a decision process, rather than being regarded as the person who ‘will know what the budget is’.
Qualifications, Experience, Capability
A minimum of 5 years’ experience as a Chief Financial Officer or executive responsibilities in a broad financially oriented senior position is mandatory.
Experience in a School or other educational environment is desirable but not necessary. Tertiary qualifications in a relevant finance or business discipline are mandatory.
Candidates will have a number of technical and personal characteristics. Technical professional experience will include:
- Strong Financial acumen, including financial modelling, Business Planning, tax, and Treasury.
- Risk and Governance.
- Project Management Experience.
- Data Analytical skills.
- Familiarity with modern Financial Management tools, and decision making in the selection of fit-for-purpose financial support tools. Ability to work effectively in a technologically rich environment using standard Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and other cloud-based collaborative applications.
Remuneration and benefits
A generous remuneration package will be available reflecting the experience and qualifications of the successful applicant and the importance of the position within the organisation. This package includes car and superannuation. Annual leave is 6 weeks per annum. A discount of 50 % is available on school fees if children attend CCGS.
The successful applicant will be required to enter into an executive contract for a period of five years with an option to renew based on mutual agreement and provided that performance criteria are met.
A relocation allowance is provided to assist an executive to relocate from a residence outside Western Australia to Perth. It is not expected that the allowance will necessarily cover all relocation costs.
Applications and further information
Enquiries are welcome and can be made to Andrew Bonwick of Fish Nankivell on 0417 549 *** for an Assignment Specification and / or a confidential discussion.
Expressions of interest in the form of a covering letter and resume should be forwarded by email to Andrew Bonwick at ********@fishnankivell.com by Monday, 22 April 2024 or later by arrangement.
