Head of Finance

• Salary $145K neg plus superannuation and generous salary packaging

About the team

Join a small but dedicated and high-performing Finance team at the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA), where your work directly supports groundbreaking research to prevent blindness and restore sight. The Finance team plays a pivotal role across CERA Group entities (CERA, CERA Foundation, and Cerulea), providing expert financial services, guidance, and support to researchers, operational teams, and leadership.

With a strong client service focus, the team partners closely with research managers to support grant budgeting and financial reporting, ensure compliance with complex funding requirements, and deliver accurate, timely financial insights. We value collaboration, continuous improvement, and professional development—and we foster a culture where every team member is empowered to contribute, innovate, and thrive.

The role

As Head of Finance at CERA, you will lead the financial operations of a world-renowned medical research institute dedicated to saving sight and changing lives. Reporting to the Executive Manager, Finance, you will manage a small, skilled team across accounting, accounts payable, and receivable functions. Your focus will be on driving financial performance, ensuring compliance, supporting strategic decision-making, and enabling high-impact research through sound financial stewardship.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a high-performing Finance team, fostering a culture of service, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee all aspects of financial operations, including month-end and year-end processes, general ledger accuracy, and statutory compliance.
• Deliver timely and accurate management reporting and monitor financial performance across research and operational areas.
• Support researchers with grant budgeting, financial acquittals, and compliance with funding agreements.
• Manage CERA Group's budgeting and forecasting processes in alignment with strategic objectives.
• Drive improvements to financial systems, controls, and processes that enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Oversee audits, tax obligations, fixed assets, and internal financial controls.
• Develop strong working relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners, including the University of Melbourne and the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.
• Provide financial guidance and insights to non-finance staff across the organisation.

About you

You are a qualified finance professional (CA or CPA) with a strong track record of leading high-performing finance teams and delivering accurate, insightful financial reporting. Known for your attention to detail and strategic mindset, you thrive in dynamic environments and bring a proactive, solutions-focused approach to financial management and continuous improvement.

Key Selection Criteria

• Tertiary qualification in accounting or finance, with current CPA or CA accreditation.
• Demonstrated experience in leading and developing finance teams, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and high performance.
• Strong expertise in financial reporting, analysis, and strategic problem-solving, with the ability to adapt to changing organisational priorities.
• Excellent knowledge of accounting standards, regulatory requirements, and compliance frameworks relevant to financial reporting.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail, with demonstrated ability to review and ensure the quality and integrity of financial information.
• Proven ability to develop, implement and improve financial systems, controls and processes that enhance efficiency and support continuous improvement.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex financial information clearly and build effective relationships across diverse stakeholders, including non-finance professionals.
• Commitment to high-quality service delivery, with a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across teams and functions to achieve shared organisational outcomes.
• Proficiency with TechnologyOne (ERP) and Aurion (payroll).
• Relevant experience in a not-for-profit organisation or medical research institute, including managing complex grant funding arrangements.

About CERA

The Centre for Eye Research Australia is a not-for-profit and an international leader in eye research with real-world impact. As an independent Medical Research Institute affiliated with the University of Melbourne, we are committed to saving sight and transforming lives through our innovative research. Located in East Melbourne, our staff and students work collaboratively to achieve breakthroughs in eye health.

Employee benefits include:

• Family-friendly workplace with flexible working arrangements.
• Supportive culture encouraging career development and innovation.
• Generous salary packaging options to increase take-home pay.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Leave loading of 17.5%.
• Annual flu vaccinations and regular office fruit boxes.

Applications will be open until 5th May 2025.

For more information about the role, please contact hr@cera.org.au.

We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, people with CALD backgrounds, people with a disability, people from the LGBTQIA+ community and women and gender diverse people.