Financial Controller

Studio Schools of Australia’s (SSA) vision is to provide opportunity and greater access for Indigenous students across Australia to a unique, new model of schooling for the secondary years. In partnership with local Indigenous communities, SSA will build a “system” of Studio Schools based on the proven success of the Yiramalay/Wesley Studio School in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Five schools are planned by 2028 supported by a dedicated Teacher Education and Resource Centre IERC on country co located with the Manjali Studio School. Critically, the Studio School model provides a choice for Indigenous families to access quality education on country furthering the principle of self-determination as enshrined in the UN Declaration of Rights for Indigenous Peoples.
  
The role
  
Due to recent restructure, SSA is looking to appoint a Financial Controller to oversee the day-to-day finances of the organisation.
  
As part of the Systems Head Office, the Financial Controller is responsible for all financial operations of the SSA System and its schools. Reporting to the COO, the Financial Controller works closely with the SSA executive team and School leadership teams to provide financial, commercial and operational, insight to ensure SSA’s sustainable growth for the future.
  
Key accountabilities

• Provide high-level strategic advice to the COO on finances, future opportunities and challenges,
• Manage the development of all Finance frameworks and oversee financial reporting and management processes across the systems,
• Oversee the day-to-day financial operations business management of the SSA system and its schools,
• Act as Company Secretary to the SSA Board, including minutes & maintain corporate registers (ACNC, ASIC) and association compliance requirements,
• Oversee Human Resources Administration including payroll, issuing contracts & onboarding ensuring compliance and consistency across schools,
• Provide multi-faced skillset supporting the COO and the SSA executive Team with Data, Finance, Procurement and Contract Management,
• Lead organisational continuous improvement practices and oversee the rollout of improved approaches and processes across the organisation.
• Manage all contracts and set policies and procedures for all Studio Schools across the system, in consultation with the COO.

Accordingly, you will have:

• Commerce and/or Business qualification with additional postgraduate qualifications including CA or CPA,
• Extensive experience in financial management and risk oversight, including budgeting & forecasting, commercial analysis, financial and risk reporting,
• Not-for-profit experience with multiple funding streams experience is highly desirable,
• The ability to work as an advisor and leader, providing commercial and operational support to other executives and the Board,
• Hands on experience in leading all aspects of Finance and Corporate Administration,
• Demonstrated experience in leading and delivering all governance requirements of a Board and other regulatory bodies,
• Strong commitment to driving system level change to improve education and employment outcomes for Indigenous Australian in remote and very remote northern Australia,
• Experience working in Indigenous organisations and understanding of Australian Indigenous culture (ideally)
• Resilient, open and experienced professional with strong problem solving skills, adaptable and flexible style and commitment to Closing the Gap,
• Outstanding leadership and management capability, able to move from strategic to operational matters with ease,
• Strong cross-cultural competence, capable of building and maintaining strong working relationships with a range of partners and stakeholders.

The Financial Controller can be based in any capital city and must be able to work-from-home and be able to travel to remote locations in WA and in time NT.
  
We welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people from other cultural backgrounds.

Due to Australian immigration regulations, applicants must have Australian working rights. Applicants will be required to provide a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC), all appointments at Studio Schools of Australia are subject to child protection legislation and pre-employment screening.
  
For a confidential discussion with the advising consultant, René Johnson, please phone +61 3 9631 1500.