Finance Business Partner

About the Catholic Development Fund

Catholic Development Fund (CDF) are a values-based financial institution that provides funding and support across its footprint of Catholic organisations, including parishes, primary and secondary schools, healthcare, aged care, and social services providers.

Our work enables real impact: from hospital wings for the sick, safe havens for the homeless, and classrooms for the young – we support our customers to grow their mission. Through our expertise and commitment, we help Catholic organisations and everyday people put their faith into action and contribute to a fairer, more cohesive society.

About the Role

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Finance Business Partner will act as a trusted advisor to the CDF Executive team, translating financial data into meaningful insights that support sound commercial and strategic decision making.

The key focus of this role is to build the “Build the 3 times Distribution growth plan” for CDF – developing the growth plan, revenue uplift plan, required spend and investment, and cost review to create savings and capacity to fund and deliver the plan.

This position is also accountable for Executive business partnering, budgeting and forecasting, management reporting and analysis, and business case development for the CDF and CDF Community Fund. The role connects the Finance & Treasury team with the Executive, ensuring financial considerations are embedded in operational and strategic planning.

This role is offered on a 6-month max term contract.

Key Accountabilities

Build the 3 Times Distribution Growth Plan (Key Focus)

• Lead development of the CDF growth plan over a 1-2-3 year horizon, incorporating the revenue uplift plan, required spend and investment, and cost review to create savings and capacity.
• Develop and maintain the uplift and optimisation template capturing initiative, revenue, investment required, and items for possible optimisation (cost and capacity relief) over the 1-2-3 year horizon.
• Facilitate Leadership Team alignment on the template and the data to be captured.
• Coordinate Senior Leaders and the Leadership Team in compiling and ranking uplift and optimisation initiatives by importance and impact.
• Coordinate the assignment of initiative leads and data capture responsibilities, and monitor completion of templates against agreed dates.
• Conduct cost reviews to identify savings and capacity relief opportunities that support funding and delivery of the growth plan.
• Assist with development of the ECL framework and provision scenarios (including assumptions) for incorporation into the 1-2-3 year trajectory.
• Support Leadership Team alignment on “The Deal” it proposes to take forward, and the networking of the 1-2-3 year horizon and The Deal to key stakeholders for early alignment, adjusting where required.
• Prepare materials supporting the CFO’s presentation of the 1-2-3 year horizon and The Deal to the Finance Committee for approval.
• Incorporate growth plan and optimisation metrics into the performance dashboard and report progress on an ongoing basis.

Executive Business Partnering

• Act as the primary finance contact for the CDF Executive team, providing support, advice and challenge on financial performance, plans and strategic initiatives.
• Partner with each Executive team member on their departmental budgets, providing regular performance updates, variance analysis and recommended corrective actions.
• Provide targeted financial analysis and commercial insights to support Executive decisions on products, pricing and operations.
• Build strong working relationships with the Executive to embed financial awareness and accountability in decision making.
• Attend Executive meetings as required to present financial insights and support strategic discussions.

Budgeting & Forecasting

• Coordinate and support preparation of the annual CDF budget in partnership with budget owners.
• Assist with maintenance of CDF & Community Fund budget and forecast models, ensuring assumptions and financial projections are up to date.
• Prepare periodic reforecasts and scenario analysis to inform management decision making.

Management Reporting & Analysis

• Prepare monthly management reports with clear commentary, insights and recommendations for the Executive and governance committees.
• Analyse operating costs and identify trends, risks and opportunities for further review and action.
• Develop and maintain KPI dashboards and performance reporting for the Executive team and their departments.
• Continuously improve the presentation of management information so it is succinct, timely and effective.

Business Cases & Projects

• Prepare and review financial modelling and analysis supporting business cases for strategic initiatives and capital expenditure.
• Support post-implementation reviews of projects, measuring outcomes against approved business cases.
• Assist the CFO with management and coordination of ad hoc projects across CDF and within the Finance & Treasury team.

General

• Assistance with CDF Annual Financial Information Survey Statistics.
• Investigate and propose improvements to reporting systems and processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness of financial reporting.
• BCP/DRP BIAs for processes.
• Ad hoc duties as requested.

What You Bring

1. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present financial information clearly and persuasively at Executive level;
2. Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships and work collaboratively with senior leaders and Executive stakeholders;
3. Strong financial modelling, budgeting and forecasting skills;
4. Demonstrated experience in business case development and financial analysis to support decision making;
5. Sound commercial acumen with a continuous improvement mindset.

Why work for us?

• Generous salary package – that recognises your skills, experience, and contributions.
• Professional Environment – join a dedicated team of professionals committed to fostering an agile and inspiring work environment.
• Meaningful Work – be part of a values, driven organisation that makes a difference in the community.
• Hybrid Flexibility – we offer a hybrid working model (3 days in the office per week), plus a modern workspace in tranquil East Melbourne.

How to apply

If you’re looking for a role where you can make a real impact, we want to hear from you!

To submit an application, please click apply and provide a copy of your current resume and a cover letter.

Please note: We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis, if you believe this role might be for you, please apply as soon as possible.

Employment is subject to satisfactory background checks which include a National Police Check, Working with Children Check and Reference Checks. To be successful in this role you must hold valid working rights in Australia.

The Archdiocese is committed to the safety, wellbeing, and dignity of all children and vulnerable adults.