This is an exceptional opportunity to join one of Australia’s most distinctive local government organisations, Byron Shire Council, located in the beautiful Northern Rivers of NSW. As our Chief Financial Officer, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the financial future of Council ensuring the organisation is well positioned to deliver the vision and aspirations of the Byron Shire Community Strategic Plan 2035. You will lead financial sustainability, influence strategic decisions, and help deliver the community’s vision for Byron Shire as a place where people can connect, share, grow, inspire and create positive change.
Reporting to the Director Corporate and Community Services, the Chief Financial Officer is Council’s principal financial advisor and statutory Responsible Accounting Officer, providing strategic financial leadership across the organisation.
Join a values-driven organisation where you can make a lasting impact on the future of our community. This leadership role offers the opportunity to drive financial sustainability and lead complex initiatives that support essential services and infrastructure.
Key responsibilities:
- Be appointed to the statutory position of Responsible Accounting Officer defined by Section 196 of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021 and responsible for the functions/activities of this position as prescribed in the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021.
- Provide expert advice and direction to the Director, Executive Team and Council regarding business decisions, ensuring financial implications, opportunities and risks are fully considered in line with Council’s long term financial strategy.
- Ensure the delivery of Financial Services and projects in accordance with Council’s Community Strategic Plan, Delivery Program and Operational Plan.
- Lead and maximise performance to achieve a high level of customer service, productivity, and efficiency by providing strategic direction, expert advice and leadership to the Finance team and broader Directorate.
- Lead development and maintenance of Council’s Long Term Financial Plan (LTFP) for all Council operations ensuring integration with service, asset and workforce planning. This also includes the 30 Year Business Plans for Water and Sewerage.
- Coordinate external audits with the Audit Office of NSW and manage audit responses to completion.
- Deliver accurate, transparent, and timely financial reports to Council, the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee (ARIC), Finance Advisory Committee and the Executive.
- Maintain and update financial policies, procedures, and delegations to ensure compliance and effective internal controls.
- Oversee the administration of rates, annual charges, user fees, and other revenue streams.
- Provide strategic leadership across financial governance, compliance, revenue management, asset accounting, and capital planning.
Please refer to attached Position Description and Information pack for more detailed information regarding responsibilities
To be successful in this role, you will have:
- Tertiary qualifications in Accounting, Finance, Commerce or a related discipline.
- Full membership of CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, or the Institute of Public Accountants.
- Extensive senior financial management experience within local government.
- Demonstrated strong team leadership, development and people management experience
- Proven success in strategic financial management, governance and risk management.
- Demonstrated experience preparing statutory financial statements and managing audit processes.
- Advanced communication, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills.
Highly Desirable
- Experience as a Responsible Accounting Officer or equivalent senior finance executive.
- Knowledge of the NSW local government legislative framework and Integrated Planning and Reporting requirements.
- Experience working with elected representatives and governance committees.
We offer:
- A full-time permanent position
- Salary and Conditions will be in accordance with the NSW Local Government (State) Award with appointment in the range of $143,095 – $196,676 per year (dependent upon skills and experience)
- Private leaseback vehicle
- Eligibility for Relocation assistance
- Council-owned housing at market rent (subject to availability)
- Access to The Welcome Experience relocation support program
- 12% Superannuation
Byron Shire Council has a high performance, collaborative culture. We are a growth-oriented organisation and value individuals who are driven to succeed and exceed expectations.
Other benefits include:
Professional Development
- Flexible working arrangements
- Hybrid work opportunities where operationally appropriate
Professional Development
- Ongoing training and development
- Continued investment in Leadership Team development initiatives to support high-performing teams and organisational effectiveness
- Participation in industry forums and local government networks
- Reward and Recognition program
Health and Wellbeing
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Health and wellbeing initiatives
- Fitness Passport
- Supportive and collaborative workplace culture
- 5 days of MyLeave per anniversary date
- Commitment to a ‘Safety First’ workplace culture
Location: This position is based at Mullumbimby; however, Council can require you to work from other work sites as required for operational reasons.
Contact: Esmeralda Davis – Director Corporate and Community Services – 02 6626 7096
Closing date: 12pm (NSW time), 13 September 2026. Late applications will not be permitted.
You application will need to include:
- A cover letter outlining your interest in the position.
- A current résumé.
- A statement demonstrating suitability for the role in line with the Local Government Capability Framework focus capabilities (found on page 5 of the position description). Maximum 1 page per capability.
We believe in diversity, inclusion and equality and are committed to ensuring that our workplaces are a reflection of our community. We recognise the benefits that diversity and inclusion brings, and in turn encourage talented people from all backgrounds, abilities and identities to apply for our vacancies.
We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements and encourage our people to explore new ways of working – including part-time, job-share or working from different locations. Everyone can ask about it.
We strongly encourage applications from people with disability and will provide reasonable adjustments in our recruitment process and in the workplace. If you need an adjustment during the recruitment process, please call or email the contact person listed above, and also advise us of your preferred method of communication.
Byron Shire Council is committed to being a child safe organisation – we respect all children and their wellbeing. We will embed Child Safe Standards into our leadership, governance and culture. We will support our staff and volunteers in their responsibilities. We will strive to keep children safe from harm and abuse.
Pre-Employment Screening Process:
- Reference Checks: Referees will preferably be your current or most recent supervisor and must be able to comment directly on your abilities in a work situation. If you have any objection to this action, your concerns should be raised in your application and be discussed with the Selection Panel.
- Functional Health Assessment: If applicable, the functional health assessment evaluates your physical and functional capacity against the physical demands necessary to safely perform the job for which you have applied. Applicable roles are subject to drug and alcohol testing, please note these tests will potentially require the provision of a urine sample, and a positive test will preclude a candidate from employment with Council at that time.
- Background Screening: Background checks verify the information you have provided in your application, and where applicable, also check for relevant criminal history. Checks may also include, for example, a confirmation of your employment history, qualifications/tickets and working with children clearance.
