Chief Financial Officer

Lort Smith Animal Hospital – North Melbourne, VIC

Executive Leadership | Not-for-Profit | Strategic Impact

Shape the future of an iconic Melbourne institution. Join Lort Smith as Chief Financial Officer and play a pivotal role in driving financial sustainability, strategic growth, and positive community impact across Australia's largest not-for-profit animal hospital.

About Lort Smith

Lort Smith is Australia's largest not-for-profit animal hospital, dedicated to keeping pets and their people together. For over 90 years, we've championed the powerful impact of the human-animal bond by providing accessible, compassionate care to more than 20,000 animals each year. Our services include world-class veterinary care, rehoming programs, and community initiatives that make a meaningful difference in thousands of lives. We're committed to ensuring that no one is left behind, offering flexible financing options to help low-income individuals access the care their pets need.

About the role

As CFO, you'll be the organisation's strategic financial leader — guiding financial strategy, compliance, and performance to enable Lort Smith's mission and future ambitions.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading excellence in financial control, reporting, budgeting, and cashflow management
• Designing and implementing data analytics frameworks and financial models to uncover insights and guide evidence-based business strategy and productivity improvements.
• Providing strategic advice and insights to the CEO, Board and Committees
• Overseeing risk management, compliance, and corporate governance frameworks
• Leading and developing a high-performing finance team
• Building financial literacy and accountability across the organisation

You'll combine strong financial stewardship with strategic acumen, supporting sound decisions that balance mission, impact and sustainability.

About you

You're a seasoned financial leader who thrives in complex, values-driven environments. You bring both technical depth and the ability to influence and partner across all levels.

You'll bring:

• Proven experience in financial control, reporting, budgeting and cashflow management
• Strong commercial and strategic insight, with the ability to translate data into action
• Deep understanding of risk, compliance and governance frameworks (NFP or health sector desirable)
• A track record of advising CEOs and Boards on strategy and investment decisions
• Excellent leadership and stakeholder engagement skills
• CA/CPA (or equivalent) qualification, and tertiary qualifications in Accounting or Finance
• MBA or postgraduate studies in Business or Accounting

Why join us

At Lort Smith, you'll find meaningful work with real social impact. You'll help shape the financial future of an iconic Melbourne institution while working alongside a dedicated and compassionate team.

We offer:

• A purpose-driven organisation with a genuine community impact
• A supportive and collaborative executive team
• Employee wellbeing programs and highly regarded Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Benefits including pet-friendly workplace policies, discounts on veterinary treatment, products and pet insurance.
• Flexible working arrangements

How to apply

To apply, please click 'Apply Now' and upload your CV and a short cover letter outlining your interest and suitability for the role.

Applications close: November If you have any questions or would like a copy of the position description please email Frances Mirabelli, Chief Executive Officer via for a confidential discussion.

Lort Smith is a great place to work. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively support workplace diversity, equity and inclusion.