National Portrait Gallery of Australia – Parkes ACT

The EL2 Chief Financial Officer provides strategic financial leadership, administration, and stewardship for the National Portrait Gallery, ensuring the integrity, accuracy, and transparency of financial management, reporting, and compliance. The Chief Financial Officer leads the Finance, Business Management and Procurement team and is responsible for the provision of high quality, timely and accurate financial and procurement advice and services to the Gallery while ensuring it meets its legislative and compliance financial framework obligations. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer contributes to corporate governance, strategic planning, and organisational performance, supporting the Gallery to achieve its strategic objectives.

The key duties of the position include:

- Provide strategic financial leadership, analysis and advice, to the Executive and Board on financial management, investment, procurement, risk and resource allocation to support the Gallery's strategic objectives, financial sustainability and compliance obligations, including the development and implementation of a multi-year Financial Strategy that aligns financial resources, investment decisions and operational priorities.
- Lead and manage the Finance and Procurement function, including the delivery of high-quality services and advice for budgeting, forecasting, management accounting, procurement, contract management, treasury functions, and the preparation of monthly and annual financial statements and other statutory reporting.
- Develop, implement and maintain financial governance frameworks, including Accountable Authority Instructions, financial delegations, procurement policies, investment frameworks, asset management policies and related procedures, ensuring sound stewardship of public resources and compliance with legislative obligations.
- Drive continuous improvement in financial performance, capability and systems, identifying opportunities to strengthen financial management practices, business processes, reporting, controls and organisational capability to ensure financial data integrity.
- Leadership and people management, to foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, inclusion and continuous improvement, modelling the APS values, employment principles and leadership behaviours.




- Build and maintain effective stakeholder relationships, including engagement with the Australian National Audit Office through the annual financial statements audit process and other audit engagements, external auditors, the Board and Audit and Risk Committee, central agencies and the portfolio department.

Eligibility

- Financial Leadership and Public Sector Expertise - Demonstrated expertise in contemporary public sector financial management, including a comprehensive understanding of Commonwealth financial frameworks, legislation, policies and requirements, and the ability to apply these in a complex operating environment.
- Financial Management and Performance - Extensive experience leading financial management functions, including budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, statutory compliance, revenue and expenditure management, financial planning and analysis, asset management and investment oversight.
- Governance, Risk and Assurance - Demonstrated experience establishing and maintaining robust governance, internal control, risk management and assurance frameworks, with a strong understanding of the PGPA Act, Commonwealth accountability requirements, audit processes and government budgeting frameworks.
- Strategic Financial Advice and Decision Support - Demonstrated ability to provide strategic financial leadership and high-quality advice to executives, boards and senior stakeholders, supporting organisational performance, informed decision-making and alignment with government priorities.
- Leadership and People Management - Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams, build organisational capability, manage change and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement and service excellence.
- Commercial and Business Acumen - Demonstrated ability to provide commercially sound advice on procurement, contracts, investments, business cases and resource allocation to support organisational sustainability, value for money and strategic outcomes.




- Stakeholder Engagement and Influence - Highly developed communication, negotiation and relationship management skills, including experience engaging and influencing boards, audit and risk committees, central agencies, regulators, executives and external stakeholders.
- Organisational Strategy and Transformation - Demonstrated ability to contribute to organisational strategy, business transformation and long-term financial sustainability through innovative thinking, performance improvement and the effective stewardship of public resources.
- APS and Organisational Values - Demonstrated commitment to the APS Values and Code of Conduct and the National Portrait Gallery's values, together with an ability to promote workplace diversity, inclusion, participative leadership and work health and safety practices.

Industry specific criteria:

- CA, CPA or tertiary qualifications in a relevant field, plus extensive accounting experience at the senior level is essential.

Getting to know the National Portrait Gallery of Australia

We acknowledge the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples, the Traditional Custodians of the Canberra region, upon whose lands the National Portrait Gallery stands.The National Portrait Gallery reflects the face of Australia and increases understanding and appreciation of Australian people and their stories through the art of portraiture. Guided by our values of creativity, innovation, inclusivity and integrity, our purpose is to develop a national portrait collection and provide the broadest possible access to all Australians. We do this through presenting engaging exhibitions and live and educational programs onsite in our award-winning building in Canberra, offsite across Australia, and on demand.The Gallery is a dynamic and inclusive workplace and recognises the excellent contribution of our team. We’re committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of our team and our visitors, and to sustaining a safe workplace and inclusive culture. We support flexible working practices, including working from home, and respect family and caring responsibilities.The Gallery is committed to equal opportunity and diversity. We welcome applications from First Nations people, LGBTQIA+ people, people with a disability, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Applications close midnight 15 November 2026.

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📌 Chief Financial Officer (Canberra)
🏢 National Portrait Gallery of Australia
📍 Canberra