About the Role
As Chief Financial Officer, you won't just oversee financial management-you'll help shape the future of one of Australia's most unique and culturally significant communities. Working alongside the CEO, Mayor, Councillors and Executive Leadership Team, you'll play a key role in guiding strategic decisions, strengthening long-term financial sustainability and supporting initiatives that create lasting benefits for the Palm Island community.
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a critical strategic leadership role with whole of organisation influence. As Council’s principal financial steward, the CFO provides authoritative advice to the Chief Executive Officer, Mayor and Councillors and plays a central role in shaping Council’s strategic direction, long term financial sustainability and governance assurance.
The role is responsible for aligning financial strategy with Council’s Corporate Plan, Long Term Financial Plan, Asset Management Plans, Capital Works Program and significant grant funded activities. Beyond finance, the CFO contributes as a trusted executive partner across service delivery, infrastructure investment and organisational transformation.
This role may be based on Palm Island or in Townsville, with travel to Palm Island as required. Preference will be given to Palm Island community members, in line with merit based recruitment practices.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide high level strategic financial advice to the CEO, Mayor and Councillors on financial performance, sustainability, risk and opportunity.
- Lead Council’s long term financial planning, budget development and capital investment oversight in a complex, highly regulated local government environment.
- Ensure strong financial governance, compliance and assurance, including external audit, internal controls and statutory reporting.
- Drive integration between financial planning, asset management, workforce planning and corporate strategy.
- Provide executive oversight of significant capital works, infrastructure programs and major grant funded initiatives.
- Partner with Directors and senior leaders to strengthen commercial acumen, financial accountability and investment discipline across the organisation.
- Drive continuous improvement in financial systems and reporting capability.
- Lead, mentor and develop a high performing finance function, with a strong focus on building local capability and succession.
What We’re Looking For
You will be a seasoned executive finance leader with the credibility and judgement to operate confidently at governing body and executive level. You work with integrity, transparency and cultural respect, and you build strong relationships across teams.
- Tertiary qualifications in Finance, Accounting, Commerce, Business or related discipline, or extensive equivalent experience.
- CPA or CA qualification.
- Demonstrated senior executive experience overseeing complex finance functions, within local government or a similarly regulated environment.
- Proven experience providing strategic financial advice to executive leadership teams and elected councils or boards.
- Advanced capability in long term financial planning, budgeting, financial reporting, internal controls and audit management.
- Strong leadership skills with a track record of building high performing teams and developing future leaders.
- Current Queensland C Class Driver Licence.
Desirable: Experience working in remote or regional communities, experience engaging with State and Commonwealth funding bodies and Treasury oversight agencies, exposure to economic development, commercial ventures or alternative public sector revenue models, or experience overseeing capital works and grant funded programs.
Why Join Us?
- Work in a role that directly supports the future of the Palm Island community.
- Be part of a leadership team committed to excellence, cultural respect and community wellbeing.
- Support meaningful local employment and capability development.
- Join a progressive Council undertaking significant organisational growth and transformation.
Ready to lead with purpose? Join us and help shape a stronger financial future for the Palm Island community while creating lasting community impact.
Submit your resume and cover letter addressing the key responsibilities via Seek Applications close: 31 July 2026, with applications encouraged prior to this date as the role may be filled earlier.
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