Company Description

RJ Sanderson & Associates, established in 1993, is one of the largest accounting firms in Victoria, known for innovation, honesty, and strong ethical standards. The firm prioritizes client needs and delivers services tailored to individual financial and business circumstances. With a skilled team across 14 offices, RJ Sanderson & Associates invests in regular training to maintain high levels of service and expertise.

The company focuses on helping clients minimize tax, maximize wealth, and build sustainable businesses, offering a supportive environment for professionals committed to client success.

Role Description

We are seeking an exceptional General Manager to lead the operational and commercial success of our growing Accounting Public Practice business. This is a pivotal leadership role for a strategic thinker, commercial operator, and people leader who can transform vision into execution.

As General Manager, you will be the operational architect of the business, responsible for ensuring all offices, teams, and functions operate as one high-performing organisation. Working closely with the Partners, you will drive profitability, scalability, operational excellence, and a culture of accountability while maintaining an exceptional employee and client experience.

This is an opportunity for a proven leader who thrives in a dynamic environment and enjoys building systems, teams, and processes that support sustainable growth.

Qualifications

- Demonstrated experience in general management or operations leadership within professional services, preferably in accounting, finance, or related fields.
- Strong skills in team leadership, staff development, and performance management, with the ability to foster a collaborative and accountable work culture.
- Proficiency in business planning, budgeting, and monitoring key performance indicators to support data-driven decision-making.
- Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and conflict resolution skills to effectively engage with team members and clients.
- Ability to design, implement, and refine operational processes to improve efficiency, service delivery, and client experience.
- Sound understanding of basic accounting concepts and regulatory requirements; experience working with accounting or practice management systems is an advantage.




- Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline; advanced qualifications or professional certifications are a plus.
- Proven capacity to work on-site, handle multiple priorities, adapt to changing needs, and uphold high ethical and professional standards.

Executive Leadership

- Lead, mentor, and develop the executive leadership team.
- Foster collaboration across departments and offices to achieve organisational goals.
- Remove operational bottlenecks and drive alignment across teams.
- Act as the senior escalation point for significant operational and client matters.

Operational Excellence & Scaling

- Oversee operational systems, processes, and technology to ensure the business remains efficient and scalable.
- Partner with the HR function to ensure workforce planning aligns with future growth and capacity requirements.
- Champion continuous improvement initiatives and embed best-practice operating standards.
- Ensure consistency of service delivery and client experience across all offices.
- Establish and maintain a culture of accountability, performance, and excellence.

Partner & Stakeholder Engagement

- Serve as the critical link between the Partnership Group and operational teams.
- Provide timely and insightful reporting on business performance, risks, opportunities, and strategic initiatives.
- Support Partners in making informed commercial and operational decisions.
- Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support business growth.

What Success Looks Like The successful General Manager will be accountable for delivering:

- Strong and sustainable firm-wide profitability.
- Effective management of workflow, WIP, and debtors.
- High levels of staff utilisation and productivity.
- Proactive workforce planning to support growth and prevent team burnout.
- Consistent service quality and operational standards across all offices.
- A highly engaged, aligned, and high-performing workforce.





About You

You are a commercially astute leader with a track record of scaling businesses, improving operational performance, and leading high-performing teams.

You bring a balance of strategic thinking and hands-on execution, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels while maintaining a strong focus on people, performance, and culture.

Essential Experience

- 10+ years' experience in a senior leadership, General Manager or equivalent executive role.
- Proven success leading operational and commercial outcomes in a professional services environment.
- Solid financial acumen with experience managing budgets, forecasting, profitability, and business performance metrics.
- Demonstrated experience leading organisational growth, change, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Experience managing and developing senior leadership teams.

- Highly Regarded

- Experience within accounting, financial advisory, legal, consulting, or professional services firms.
- MBA or postgraduate business qualification.
- Experience overseeing multi-office operations.

Key Attributes The Unifier

You bring people together, align competing priorities, and create a shared commitment to organisational success.

Strategic and Decisive

You make informed decisions, tackle challenges head-on, and are willing to make difficult calls when required.

Emotionally Intelligent Leader

You build trust, navigate complex stakeholder relationships, and create an environment where people thrive.

Commercial Thinker

You understand how operational decisions impact profitability, growth, and long-term business sustainability.

Why Join Us?

- Opportunity to work directly with an ambitious and growth-focused Partnership Group.
- Play a key role in shaping the future direction of a successful and expanding firm.
- Lead meaningful transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Join a values-driven organisation committed to excellence, innovation, and people.

Ready to Lead the Next Phase of Growth?

If you are a strategic operator, exceptional leader, and commercially minded executive looking to make a significant impact, we would love to hear from you.

Apply now with your CV and a cover letter outlining your experience and leadership achievements.

📌 General Manager (Melbourne)
🏢 RJ Sanderson u0026 Associates
📍 Melbourne