Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer

Location: Australia-wide
Term: Ongoing
Full-time: 37.5 hours per week
Remuneration: $193,725 - $215,250 + 12% super
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are particularly encouraged to apply

Job title: Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer (CFO/COO)

Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) is the largest environmental legal centre in the Australia-Pacific, dedicated to protecting our climate, communities and shared environment by providing access to justice, running ground-breaking litigation and leading law reform advocacy.

Since time immemorial, First Nations and Indigenous peoples have been taking care of their Countries in Australia and the Pacific. These deep understandings, knowledges and experiences are critical to maintaining the health and vitality of Australia and the Pacific’s unique wildlife and ecosystems. EDO respects these great knowledges and strongly believes that EDO cannot achieve a world where nature thrives without working for First Nations and Indigenous peoples.

The opportunity:

Bring your strategic financial and operational leadership to a values-led organisation at the forefront of protecting the environment, advancing climate justice and supporting communities through the law.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and working closely with the Executive team and Board, the Chief Financial Officer / Chief Operating Officer will play a critical role in shaping EDO’s strategic direction and strengthening its financial sustainability, operational effectiveness and organisational resilience. You will lead EDO’s finance and operations functions, providing trusted strategic advice, overseeing financial performance, financial governance and financial risk and ensuring the organisation has the systems, resources and capability required to deliver its mission and long-term objectives.

Candidate profile:

Are you an experienced Finance Executive looking to use your leadership expertise to drive meaningful change?

This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic and commercially minded leader who thrives at the intersection of purpose, financial sustainability and operational excellence. You will bring deep financial expertise, sound judgement and a proven ability to provide trusted strategic advice at senior executive and Board level, lead high-performing teams and deliver organisational improvement. Working closely with the CEO, Executive team and Board, you will strengthen EDO’s financial resilience, financial governance, systems and operational capability, ensuring the organisation is well positioned to deliver on its mission.

Whether your experience has been gained in the commercial, corporate, professional services or not-for-profit sector, what matters most is your leadership capability and genuine alignment with EDO’s values. If you are looking for an executive role where your financial and operational expertise can contribute to lasting environmental and social impact, we would love to hear from you.

Key responsibilities:

The Chief Financial Officer / Chief Operating Officer will carry out the key responsibilities outlined in the Position Description which include but are not limited to:

Lead the development and delivery of EDO’s financial strategy, strengthening the organisation’s long-term sustainability, financial performance and resilience.
Act as a trusted adviser to the CEO, Executive team and Board, providing strategic financial insights, analysis and timely reporting to support effective planning, investment decisions and organisational decision-making.
Lead organisation-wide financial planning and performance, including budgeting, forecasting, long-term financial modelling, scenario analysis, treasury, cash-flow management, investment oversight and diversified funding streams.
Evaluate and develop sustainable and innovative funding opportunities, including impact investment, litigation funding, social enterprise, commercial partnerships and other revenue models, supported by robust business cases and commercial analysis.
Lead efficient and scalable finance and operational systems and drive continuous improvement across processes and controls, including modernisation of finance systems and the responsible use of data analytics, automation, digital technologies and AI.
Maintain strong financial governance, enterprise risk and compliance frameworks, including internal controls, statutory and donor obligations, fund and grant management, donor acquittals, external audit, delegated authorities, insurance and fraud and anti-corruption controls.
Oversee high-quality management, statutory, Board and external financial reporting, and maintain effective relationships with auditors, banking partners, funders and other key financial stakeholders.
Oversee EDO’s work health and safety framework, ensuring effective WHS governance, risk management, compliance and continuous improvement to support a safe and healthy workplace.
Oversee EDO's volunteer program, including program strategy, governance, recruitment, onboarding, supervision frameworks, engagement initiatives and ongoing program and performance evaluation to ensure alignment with organisational objectives and operational requirements.
Lead, mentor and develop a high-performing Finance, IT and Operations team, while strengthening financial capability, accountability and commercial thinking across EDO through effective business partnering, coaching and support.
Partner effectively across EDO and with external stakeholders to support strategic priorities, enable organisational change and improve financial and operational performance through data-informed decision-making and strong financial stewardship.

Key selection criteria:

The right person may come from a commercial, corporate or professional-services background as readily as a not-for-profit one; what matters most is demonstrated financial and operational leadership, sound judgement, and genuine alignment with EDO’s mission to protect the environment, advance climate justice and support communities through the law.

Essential:

Tertiary qualifications in Accounting, Commerce, Finance or a related discipline, together with current membership of a recognised professional accounting body such as CA ANZ or CPA Australia.
Demonstrated experience in a senior financial leadership role within a complex organisation, including acting as a trusted adviser to the Chief Executive Officer, Executive team and Board, and building and developing high-performing teams through effective coaching, mentoring and performance leadership.
Proven ability to develop and implement financial strategies that support organisational objectives, including budgeting, long-term financial planning, forecasting, treasury and investment oversight, cash-flow management, financial modelling, business case development and accurate and insightful financial reporting.
Extensive knowledge of accounting standards, statutory reporting and taxation, together with experience establishing strong governance frameworks, internal controls and enterprise risk-management practices that meet legislative, regulatory, funding and donor requirements.
Experience overseeing Operations and IT functions and leading finance and operational transformation initiatives, including the implementation or optimisation of enterprise systems, digital technologies and data analytics, and the development of responsible strategies for AI use.
Excellent written and verbal communication, analytical, critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.
Exposure to alternative and innovative financing such as impact bonds, impact investment, or social enterprise and developing new revenue models within a purpose-driven organisation.

Desirable:

Experience managing government funding and associated compliance and reporting obligations.
Experience using Sage Intacct or a comparable financial-management system.

Personal qualities and cultural competency:

A champion of the EDO Values & Cultural Pillars.
Strong initiative and self-motivation.
Commitment to the protection of human rights and the environment.
A strong sense of ethics and understanding of professional obligations.
Demonstrated awareness of and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of First Nations and peoples from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations in both the delivery of our work and our internal culture.
Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative and team-based environment.

Our culture and benefits:

We care deeply about creating a workplace where our team members feel valued, respected and empowered. We are committed to providing equal opportunity regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or life stage.

The chance to be part of the largest environmental legal practice in the Australia-Pacific.
A very flexible and family-friendly workplace.
Option to work from home.
8 weeks paid parental leave, regardless of gender or carer status.
15 days personal/carers leave.
20 days annual leave.
3 days paid cultural leave per year.
Extra paid leave over the Christmas period.
Access to Fitness Passport.
Opportunities and encouragement to attend NAIDOC and National Reconciliation Week events including paid leave.
ICIP and Colonial Loading protection within employment contract.
Access to an Employee Assistance Program.
Ongoing professional development opportunities.
EDO proudly has a JEDI (Justice, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion) Committee and a Mental Health Ambassador Committee and has developed a First Nations Program with the aid of indigenous-led consultancies.
Three Affinity groups for the following: Disability, Global Majority* and LGBTQIA+

*Global Majority is a collective term that first and foremost speaks to and encourages those so-called, to think of themselves as belonging to the majority on planet earth. It refers to people who are Black, African, Asian, Brown, dual-heritage, indigenous to the global south, and or, have been racialised as ‘ethnic minorities’.

Commitment to EDO’s Cultural Pillars:

All employees are expected to contribute to a workplace culture that reflects EDO's values and cultural pillars through their actions, behaviours and decision-making.

Thriving People & Professional Excellence: Demonstrating professionalism, accountability, continuous learning and a commitment to a safe, supportive and high-performing workplace.
Shared Direction & Courageous Action: Working collaboratively toward shared goals, embracing change and demonstrating initiative, adaptability and courage.
Grounded in Clarity, Strengthened by Trust, Driven by Ownership: Acting with integrity and transparency, building trust and taking ownership of responsibilities and decisions.
Inclusive Impact: Valuing diverse perspectives, promoting cultural safety and inclusion, and supporting justice, equity and meaningful engagement with First Nations peoples and communities.
Purposeful Joy: Contributing to a positive, connected and respectful workplace, supporting wellbeing and bringing enthusiasm, curiosity and optimism to work.

How to Apply

Apply via our website or by clicking ‘Apply here’.
To review the position description, please see this link: https://www.edo.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/EDO-Position-Description_CFO-COO_2026.pdf

If you have queries regarding this advertisement, please contact us at recruitment@edo.org.au

Applications will close at 9:00AM AEST on Monday, 19 October 2026. Applications will be assessed as they are received so we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to be considered for this role.

Applications must include a CV and a letter that clearly addresses each of the key selection criteria above.

The Key Selection Criteria show the minimum essential requirements of the position. The desirable criteria outline additional attributes which would enable the successful candidate to perform the role more effectively; they are not essential but may be used to distinguish between applicants during the shortlisting process.

EDO particularly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Pacific Island people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, workers of all ages, people with disabilities and people who identify as LGBTQIA+.

Please note: Your application may be considered for future roles at the EDO within the next 12 months without additional advertising. Please notify us in your application if you would not like to be considered for similar roles beyond this recruitment.

If you have any accessibility needs for the recruitment or interviewing process, please let us know in your application or by emailing recruitment@edo.org.au.

Other Information

All offers of employment may be subject to satisfactory background checks including a National Police Check, disclosure of previous or current disciplinary action, referee checks, proof of eligibility to work in Australia and qualification checks.

Environmental Defenders Office

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