Melbourne CBD & Inner Suburbs Melbourne VIC, Victoria
Full time
170K-220K + Super + Bonus
You know a good finance leader does more than explain last month’s results. You help people see what is happening now, what may happen next and which decisions will make a difference.
Our client is looking for a Head of Finance who wants to be close to the business and the people leading it. You will bring clarity to planning and performance, offer sound commercial advice, and help improve how financial information is produced and used.
A Finance Manager will report to you and manage much of the day-to-day accounting. You will lead the function, maintain strong financial oversight and use the team’s work to help others act. You will also be comfortable stepping into the detail when an issue needs your judgment.
As the main finance contact for colleagues in Japan, you will use Japanese to discuss financial matters directly with people who may not work in English. In Australia, you will work with the leadership team and wider business in English.
⚫︎ Location: Melbourne CBD
⚫︎ Employment: Full-time
⚫︎ Work arrangement: Primarily office-based, with work from home on Fridays
⚫︎ Reporting to: Directors
⚫︎ Direct report: Finance Manager
Our client is an established Australian business within a group headquartered in Japan.
The business is seeking a finance leader who can contribute to local decisions and build effective working relationships across both countries. Further information about the organisation will be shared with suitable candidates during the recruitment process.
Help leaders make better decisions
⚫︎ Work with Directors and senior leaders on planning, performance and commercial questions
⚫︎ Turn financial analysis into clear recommendations and practical next steps
⚫︎ Assess the financial implications of investment, hiring, technology and other initiatives
⚫︎ Build relationships across the business to understand what drives its results
Lead finance and strengthen its foundations
⚫︎ Lead budgeting, forecasting, cash-flow planning and management reporting
⚫︎ Give leaders a clearer view of costs, profitability and financial risks
⚫︎ Guide and develop the Finance Manager
⚫︎ Maintain oversight of financial controls, compliance and the annual external audit
Connect Australia and Japan
⚫︎ Discuss financial performance and reporting requirements with Japan-based colleagues in Japanese
⚫︎ Work with the Australian leadership team and wider business in English
⚫︎ Make financial communication between the two sides clear, timely and efficient
Improve how finance works
⚫︎ Make reporting more useful and less dependent on manual spreadsheets
⚫︎ Strengthen processes, systems and data quality
⚫︎ Identify practical opportunities for automation and AI
⚫︎ Work with colleagues to put worthwhile changes into everyday use
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⚫︎ Be involved in decisions:
You will work directly with business leaders and have the opportunity to influence plans as they take shape.
⚫︎ Shape the finance function:
There is room to improve reporting, processes and the use of technology. This role will suit someone who enjoys turning an idea into a change that lasts.
⚫︎ Put both languages to work:
You will use Japanese and English for meaningful finance discussions. Your ability to help people on both sides understand each other will be central to the role.
⚫︎ Stay connected to the business:
Working primarily from the office will give you regular opportunities to understand colleagues’ challenges, build trust and help them use financial insight.
You have built strong financial judgment and are ready to take broad ownership of a finance function. You enjoy working with people, asking questions and making information useful to them.
You are likely to enjoy this role if you:
⚫︎ Want to understand the business behind the numbers
⚫︎ Build trust through listening, clear explanation and follow-through
⚫︎ Can challenge an assumption constructively
⚫︎ Are curious about new tools and willing to lead practical change
⚫︎ Enjoy developing others and working across teams
⚫︎ Value regular face-to-face collaboration
You do not need to have held the title of CFO. The responsibility you have carried, your approach to leadership and what you are ready to take on next matter more.
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Essential
⚫︎ Senior finance experience covering planning, management reporting, financial control and business performance
⚫︎ Experience advising senior leaders and communicating financial matters to non-finance colleagues
⚫︎ The ability to lead and develop a finance team
⚫︎ Strong budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis and cash-flow management skills
⚫︎ Experience leading an external audit and working with auditors
⚫︎ CA, CPA or an equivalent professional qualification
⚫︎ Business-level Japanese, including the ability to discuss accounting and finance matters naturally with colleagues in Japan
⚫︎ English communication skills for daily work and senior-level discussions in an Australian business
⚫︎ Full, unrestricted working rights in Australia
⚫︎ The ability to work primarily from the Melbourne CBD office
Desirable
⚫︎ Experience improving finance systems, reporting and processes
⚫︎ Experience working with an international parent company
⚫︎ Experience introducing automation or new technology into finance work
Melbourne CBD.
Full-time. Working hours will be discussed during the recruitment process.
Competitive package. Details will be discussed with suitable candidates.
The team generally works together in the Melbourne CBD office. Work from home is available on Fridays.
An early start would be welcomed, while timing can be discussed with the right candidate.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and shortlisting may begin before the position is filled. Early applications are encouraged.
⚫︎ A direct role in business planning and decisions
⚫︎ Ownership of a finance function, with a Finance Manager reporting to you
⚫︎ Substantive work in both Japanese and English
⚫︎ Scope to improve reporting, processes and the use of technology
⚫︎ A Melbourne CBD location with work from home on Fridays
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This opportunity suits a finance leader who wants to be involved while decisions are taking shape.
You will have a Finance Manager responsible for much of the daily accounting, while remaining close to the numbers and the people using them. Your contribution will be to give leaders a clearer view of performance, build a stronger finance function and carry useful improvements through to adoption.
If you enjoy commercial conversations, leading a team and working across Australia and Japan, this role brings those strengths together.
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Please submit your resume in English, with a brief note describing your finance leadership experience and how you have used Japanese and English at work.
This is a confidential search. Further information will be shared with suitable candidates during the process. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.