Chief Financial Officer – Youth Projects
Lead financial strategy for an organisation creating lasting change.
The Impact
Youth Projects is an independent charity providing front-line support across employment, social enterprise, outreach, education and training, mental health and alcohol and other drug services to individuals experiencing disadvantage. Youth Project is known for their innovative, client centred and responsive approach, they are scaling their impact with a bold strategic vision, strong values, and a future-focused workforce. Learn more at www.youthprojects.org.au
As Youth Projects continue to grow and evolve, they are seeking an experienced Chief Financial Officer to join the Executive Leadership Team and help shape the organisation's next chapter.
The Opportunity
Reporting to the CEO, this role provides strategic financial leadership to ensure the long-term sustainability, governance and financial integrity of the organisation. As a trusted advisor to the Executive Leadership Team and Board, you will provide contemporary financial insight, commercial acumen and sound judgement to support strategic decision-making and organisational performance.
Beyond finance, you will also provide executive oversight of our Technology function, ensuring digital systems, cybersecurity and technology investments enabling innovation, operational excellence and organisational growth. You will also provide strategic oversight of corporate services, including fleet and facilities, ensuring these functions continue to support a safe, efficient and high-performing organisation.
You will inherit a strong portfolio, including an experienced Finance Manager and Head of Technology, allowing you to focus on strategic leadership, capability building and organisational improvement, while empowering your leaders to continue delivering operational excellence.
Working collaboratively across the Executive Leadership Team, you will:
- Develop and implement financial strategies that support organisational growth and sustainability.
- Lead budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting and business planning.
- Provide strategic financial advice and analysis to the Executive Team and Board.
- Oversee financial governance, compliance, audit, enterprise risk and internal controls.
- Provide executive leadership to the Technology team, driving digital transformation, cybersecurity, systems optimisation and technology strategy.
- Champion the use of technology and data to improve organisational performance, service delivery and decision-making.
- Drive improvements in financial systems, reporting and operational efficiency.
- Provide strategic oversight of fleet and facilities, ensuring these services support organisational operations and future growth.
- Lead, mentor and support highly capable leaders across Finance and Technology, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation and continuous improvement.
- Partner with leaders across the organisation to strengthen financial capability and support informed decision-making.
About You
You understand that contemporary CFOs do more than lead finance. You are comfortable leading corporate service functions, particularly technology, and understand how to leverage these to strengthen organisational performance while balancing strong governance with innovation. You enjoy helping organisations use systems, data and digital capability to work smarter and deliver greater impact.
You are a commercially minded executive who combines strategic thinking with sound judgement and operational discipline. You build trusted relationships, influence through collaboration and develop capable leaders who deliver results. You are equally comfortable in the boardroom as you are partnering with leaders across the organisation to solve complex problems and improve organisational performance.
Above all, you are a trusted and authentic leader who balances strategic thinking with operational delivery and enjoys working in partnership to achieve meaningful outcomes.
Essential Requirements
- Chartered Accountant (CA) or Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) qualification and relevant tertiary qualifications in Accounting, Finance or Commerce
- Significant experience in senior financial leadership roles, ideally within complex, purpose-driven organisations.
- Demonstrated success developing and implementing financial strategy, financial modelling, budgeting, forecasting, statutory reporting and financial governance.
- Demonstrated experience overseeing audit, payroll, investments, insurance and regulatory compliance within a complex organisation. Proven ability to provide strategic financial advice to Executive teams and Boards, supporting organisational performance and informed decision-making.
- Experience managing financial reporting requirements for funding bodies, grants and other statutory obligations.
- Demonstrated success in leading and developing high-performing teams and fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.
Desirable
- Experience in youth, social enterprise, community services or other for-purpose sectors, ideally within fast-paced, values-driven organisations.
- Experience leading or overseeing technology, digital transformation or broader corporate services functions.
If you are a strategic finance leader who can navigate complexity, provide clarity and lead with integrity —and want to join a trusted, impact-focused leadership team—please apply with a resume and cover letter addressing the essential requirements and explaining why you are interested in the role.
Youth Projects is deeply committed to workforce equity. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, those with lived experience, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.
Social Compass Group is partnering with Youth Projects on this recruitment process. For a confidential discussion, contact Anna Skeels via email hello@socialcompassgroup.com.au.