Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

About the role

The Chief Finance Officer (CFO) is a key member of the Executive Leadership Team and the principal financial steward of Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council. The CFO is responsible for strategic financial leadership, long term financial sustainability, governance assurance and commercial rigour across the organisation. The role provides authoritative advice to the CEO, Mayor and Councillors on financial strategy, risk, investment, asset sustainability and intergenerational equity.

The CFO leads Council's financial management framework, ensuring strong alignment between the Corporate Plan, Long Term Financial Plan, asset management planning, capital investment and grant funding, while maintaining the highest standards of probity, transparency and compliance.

As a trusted executive advisor, the CFO contributes to whole‑of‑organisation strategy, supports informed policy and investment decisions, and plays a critical role in advancing economic self‑determination and capability‑building for the Palm Island community.

Key responsibilities

• Act as Council's principal financial advisor, providing high‑level strategic advice to the CEO, Mayor and Councillors on financial performance, sustainability, risk and opportunity
• Lead the development, implementation and continuous refinement of Council's Long‑Term Financial Plan, ensuring financial resilience, liquidity, asset sustainability and responsible debt management
• Exercise final executive accountability for the integrity, quality and independence of all financial advice provided to the CEO, Mayor and Councillors
• Provide authoritative certification on the financial sustainability, affordability and long‑term impacts of Council decisions, policies, capital programs and service delivery models
• Lead executive‑level financial risk assessment to support intergenerational equity, ensuring current decisions do not compromise future community outcomes
• Lead Council's annual budget process across operational, capital and grant‑funded programs, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and financial capacity
• Serve as Council's executive authority on capital investment prioritisation, ensuring all major projects are financially viable, risk‑assessed and deliver demonstrable value for money
• Serve as executive owner of Council's financial governance framework, including delegations, financial policies, internal controls and assurance mechanisms
• Ensure full compliance with the Local Government Act 2009, accounting standards, grant conditions and external reporting obligations
• Lead and develop a high‑performing finance function with clear professional standards and development pathways

About you

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Finance, Accounting, Commerce, Business or a related discipline, or extensive equivalent experience
• CPA or CA qualification
• Demonstrated senior executive‑level experience leading finance functions within local government or a highly regulated, complex organisation
• Proven ability to provide strategic financial advice to executive leadership and governing bodies, including elected councils or boards
• Strong knowledge of budgeting, financial reporting, internal controls, audit processes and long‑term financial planning
• Proven ability to lead and develop high‑performing teams, including mentoring and succession planning
• High‑level analytical, communication and stakeholder engagement skills, including experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
• Current Queensland "C" Class Driver's Licence
• Experience working in regional or remote communities (desirable)
• Experience interfacing with State agencies, funding departments and Treasury oversight bodies (desirable)

About us

Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council serves the Manbarra and Bwgcolman peoples through community centred leadership, cultural respect, and a commitment to safety and excellence. Everything we do is focused on supporting our community to build a strong, vibrant local economy that sustains our people now and for future generations.

We're building a place based workforce to deliver our Corporate Plan 2026–2031, expanding opportunities for Palm Island people and other professionals who want their work to have impact.