The Australian National Maritime Museum is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Operational Finance Manager to lead its finance and procurement functions and strengthen financial capability, governance and performance across the Museum. This is a full-time, non-ongoing opportunity for 12 months.

About the Australian National Maritime Museum

The Australian National Maritime Museum is where Australia’s stories meet the sea.

As one of the nation’s leading cultural institutions and one of Sydney’s most visited museums, we ignite curiosity, inspire discovery, and connect people with the powerful stories that have shaped Australia’s relationship with the ocean, rivers, and waterways.

Through world-class exhibitions, iconic vessels, education programs, research, events, and digital experiences, we bring maritime history, culture, science, and innovation to life for millions of people across Australia and around the globe.

Located on the spectacular waters of Darling Harbour, the Museum welcomes more than 2.5 million visitors each year and is supported by a passionate community of employees, volunteers, members and supporters who are united by a shared purpose: to create meaningful experiences that inspire a deeper understanding of our maritime heritage and future.

At the Museum, you will have the opportunity to contribute to work that matters, collaborate with talented and dedicated professionals, and help shape the future of one of Australia's most respected cultural organisations.

Find out more at sea.museum

The key duties of the position include:

About the Role

This is an influential leadership role where you’ll combine strategic financial thinking with strong operational delivery.

You’ll provide trusted and authoritative advice to senior leaders, oversee critical finance and procurement activities, and ensure the Museum’s resources are managed effectively, transparently and in line with Commonwealth requirements.

You’ll also lead and develop a high-performing Finance team, drive continuous improvement, and identify opportunities to strengthen systems, processes and service delivery across the Museum.

What You’ll Do

You will lead the Museum’s operational finance and procurement functions, providing trusted advice to senior leaders and overseeing budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, governance, compliance and internal controls. You’ll identify financial risks and opportunities, drive continuous improvement and lead a high-performing Finance team, while building strong relationships across the Museum and with key government stakeholders.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for an experienced finance leader who combines strong technical expertise with strategic thinking, sound judgement and a collaborative leadership style. You’ll bring demonstrated experience across financial management, governance, procurement, budgeting and reporting, along with the ability to influence senior stakeholders, navigate complex financial matters and develop high-performing teams.



Relevant tertiary qualifications and membership of a recognised professional accounting body are mandatory.

Please note: This recruitment process may be used to fill both current and future vacancies. A merit pool of suitable applicants may be established and used to fill similar ongoing and non-ongoing positions that arise within 18 months from the date the vacancy is advertised.

Selection Criteria

The successful candidate will demonstrate their capacity against the following:

1. Strategic Financial Leadership: Demonstrated experience leading finance functions and delivering strategic financial advice that supports organisational objectives, business performance and informed decision-making.
2. Financial Governance, Compliance and Risk Management: Proven ability to manage complex financial operations, governance frameworks, procurement activities and internal controls, ensuring compliance with legislative and whole-of-government requirements while effectively managing financial risk.
3. Stakeholder Engagement and Influencing: Highly developed stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build effective relationships and influence senior leaders, auditors, government agencies and external stakeholders on complex or sensitive financial matters.
4. Leadership and People Management: Demonstrated capability to lead, develop and inspire high-performing teams through effective coaching, performance management, workforce planning and capability development.
5. Continuous Improvement and Operational Excellence: Proven ability to drive innovation and continuous improvement in financial systems, processes and service delivery, delivering efficient, customer-focused and outcome-driven business solutions.

Qualifications and/or relevant experience required

Mandatory:

- Relevant tertiary qualifications in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, Business or a related discipline, with membership of a recognised professional accounting body (CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and Current Zealand, or equivalent).
- Demonstrated experience leading finance, procurement and financial management functions within a complex organisation, including responsibility for financial reporting, budgeting, governance and compliance.
- Demonstrated experience managing and developing staff, including performance management, capability development and leading high-performing teams.
- Strong knowledge of financial governance, internal controls, risk management and relevant legislative frameworks, including the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (PGPA) Act, Commonwealth Resource Management Framework and Commonwealth Procurement Framework.
- Proven ability to provide authoritative financial advice to senior executives and stakeholders, influencing decision-making and supporting organisational outcomes.

Desirable:





- Experience working within the Australian Public Service (APS), a Commonwealth entity, or a similarly regulated environment.
- Experience managing external audit processes and liaising with oversight agencies including the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) and the Department of Finance.
- Experience with Financial Management Information Systems (FMIS), budgeting and reporting systems, including CBMS or similar government reporting platforms.
- Advanced analytical and reporting skills, including a high level of proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial modelling tools.
- Experience leading business improvement, system implementation or financial transformation initiatives.

Eligibility

This position is open to all eligible members of the community, and we encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with a disability and people from every cultural and linguistic background. To be an eligible member of the community, you must be an Australian citizen.

All employees will be required to satisfactorily complete an Australian Federal Police National Police Check and obtain and maintain a Working with Children Check registration.

Notes

Applications Close: 11:59pm AEDT, Thursday 26 November 2026. No applications will be accepted by mail or email. Please allow up to six weeks from the closing date for the recruitment process to be completed and applicants to be notified of the outcome.

To apply, please provide a written application addressing each Selection Criteria. Your current resume is also to be included in your application.

In addition to an application and your resume, the assessment process for this position may also include an interview and referee reports.

Selection for this position will be made on the basis of relative merit which will be assessed against each item of the selection criteria. Applications that do not address the selection criteria will not be considered for shortlisting by the Selection Panel. As part of the selection process the Selection Panel may invite candidates to undertake online testing, skills-based assessment and provide samples of written work at interview.

Getting to know the Australian National Maritime Museum

About the Australian National Maritime Museum As one of Sydney’s most visited museums, the Australian National Maritime Museum shares our national maritime story across Australia and the world, online, onsite and through research, presentations and travelling exhibitions, and provides must-visit museum experiences that delight and inspire. We connect our visitors with the oceans and waterways that are the heartbeat of who we are. From deep time to modern Australian and beyond, we explore our past, our present and future as an island nation shaped by sea, offering a sustainable and cohesive vision for the future. The Museum welcomes over 2.5 million local, interstate and international visitors annually, and is supported by a thriving and passionate staff, membership, volunteer and education base. Find out more at https://sea.museum.

📌 Operational Finance Manager (Pyrmont)
🏢 Australian National Maritime Museum
📍 Pyrmont