The Department of Defence is seeking a high performing leader to fill a vacancy in the Defence Finance Group (DFG), First Assistant Secretary (FAS) Budgets and Financial Services. This position directly reports to the Chief Finance Officer (SES Band 3) and has three Branch Heads (SES Band 1) reporting to it. The Division is geographically dispersed consisting of approximately 300 APS employees and contractors. The Division is currently focused on rebuilding the ‘centre’ (i.e. core financial functions) with APS resources and is experiencing a significant growth phase. FAS Budgets and Financial Services is responsible for:

• Defence’s input into the Commonwealth Budget process.
• Defence Financial Statements and asset management.
• Internal budgeting, reporting and advice.
• Financial policies, compliance and education.
• Financial systems management including financial aspects of Defence’s new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Implementation.
• Financial operations (accounts payable, accounts receivable and credit cards).
• Taxation Management.

As a key Senior Executive within the DFG you will play a crucial role in advising and supporting the Minister for Defence, Secretary of Defence, Chief of the Defence Force and Defence Executives. Your role will be twofold. You will deliver high levels of professional support to clients in relation to budget and financial management ensuring business outcomes are achieved and your Division is providing value added services to both internal and external stakeholders. Secondly, you will be required to lead and drive major reform of Defence’s financial management, as your Division is responsible for majority of the reform initiatives.

DFG has commenced a large and expansive reform program to become a modern, reliable, effective, and a highly professionalised and capable workforce. DFG will need to embrace change through strategically planning its operations, resources and staffing, implement full accrual accounting, embrace automation and digital solutions within its financial operations including supporting the implementation of a new Enterprise Resource Planning platform, and build strong relationships across the Defence business. DFG’s workforce will need to be the subject of careful planning, to ensure that the capability and capacity are available in order that DFG will meet its delivery promise. This will also take significant cultural change whilst working with all business areas of Defence to ensure that we are value adding to the business.

You will exemplify the One Defence Leadership behaviours and engender a culture of innovation, collaboration and agility. At all times you will remain cognisant of the legislative and ethical frameworks in which you operate. You will be a team player committed to working across government, with industry and with international partners in pursuit of the national interest.

You will receive a competitive remuneration package inclusive of superannuation and an Executive Vehicle allowance. The salary component of your package may be negotiated. Relocation expenses will be paid where applicable.

Engagement may be negotiated on an ongoing basis or for a specified term. To be eligible for engagement to this position, an applicant must be a permanent Australian citizen. This is a security-designated position. The successful applicant will be required to undergo security assessments to the appropriate level.

Applicant information packs, including selection criteria and application instructions, can be obtained by visiting https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/cp/?audiencetypecode=defenceext.

Applications close at 11:30pm (AEST) Wednesday, 10 April 2019.

To discuss the requirements of the vacancies, after first obtaining the selection documentation, please telephone Jeff Kelly at Ford Kelly Executive Connection on 0408 534 133.

A merit pool of highly suitable candidates will be established to fill similar vacancies that may occur within the next twelve months.

For Senior Executive Service administrative recruitment enquiries please contact Mrs Steph Jiang in the Directorate of Senior Officer Management
on (02) 6265 1742.