ChildFund Australia is an independent international development organisation working to create a world where every child can reach their full potential. Partnering with children, families and communities across Australia, Asia and the Pacific, ChildFund supports locally led solutions that strengthen education, child protection, health, livelihoods and climate resilience.
As the organisation continues to evolve, ChildFund Australia is seeking a Director of Finance & Risk to provide strategic leadership for the organisation’s corporate and financial governance.
The Director will lead financial strategy including the evaluation of new revenue opportunities, drive continuous improvement across finance and business systems, and provide trusted strategic counsel to the CEO and Board to ensure the organisation remains financially strong, compliant, and well positioned to achieve its strategic goals.
This is a new executive role, created as ChildFund Australia enters a period of strategic repositioning — growing and diversifying revenue, modernising systems, and strengthening financial sustainability and risk management so we can deliver greater impact for children.
You are:
- Experienced driving transformation, building finance functions and operating within a high accountability environment.
- Comfortable taking a hands-on approach as well as operating at a strategic level with the presence and gravitas to lead and influence across a complex global organisation.
- Seeking growth, and you’re genuinely excited about your next big move into a Director role.
- Ready to run a finance function end-to-end, and you’re motivated by building and scaling.
- Innovative, resilient and have the ability to keep things on track in a fast-moving, purpose-driven organisation.
- Best with real responsibility and the challenge of scaling something special.
- Open to leaders from commercial, corporate or not-for-profit backgrounds — what matters is financial leadership and a genuine connection to our mission for children.
Key responsibilities
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- Contribute as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, helping shape organisational strategy, operating model evolution and culture.
- Develop and execute financial strategies that support organisational goals and sustainability.
- Provide strategic financial advice, planning, forecasting, and performance insights to leadership.
- Strengthen financial resilience through effective funding, cash flow, investment, and risk management.
- Manage fund accounting, grants and donor compliance — including donor acquittals and DFAT/ACFID requirements across our Asia–Pacific operations.
- Appraise and help shape new and alternative sources of funding — including impact bonds, impact investment and blended finance — applying disciplined business-case governance.
- Lead efficient and scalable finance operations that support organisational growth.
- Modernise finance systems and leverage technology, automation, and analytics to improve decision-making.
- Strengthen processes, controls, and continuous improvement to enhance efficiency and reduce risk.
- Ensure compliance with financial, regulatory, donor, and reporting obligations.
- Maintain strong governance frameworks, controls, and risk management practices.
- Oversee audits and provide financial expertise to support Board and organisational governance.
- Lead enterprise risk, fraud and anti-corruption controls and the organisation’s insurance program.
- Serve as Company Secretary, maintaining ACNC and ASIC statutory compliance and supporting effective Board governance.
- Lead and develop a high-performing finance team focused on collaboration and excellence.
- Build financial capability across the organisation through coaching and partnership.
Collaborate with stakeholders to support strategy, change, accountability, and sustainable growth.
What we offer
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- As a not-for-profit, ChildFund Australia offers generous salary-packaging benefits that increase your take-home pay, alongside flexible hybrid working and the opportunity to do genuinely purpose-driven work.
This is a full-time Executive Leadership Team appointment based in Surry Hills, Sydney, with hybrid working.
Safeguarding
ChildFund Australia is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people and has zero tolerance for child abuse and exploitation. All appointments are subject to background checks, including a National Police Check and a Working with Children Check.
Application Process
Apply via email HR@childfund.org.au by submitting your cover letter and CV detailing your interest and suitability for the role. Closing Date for applications: 12.08.26.
