Chief Financial Officer

Opportunity

An established and fast-growing biotechnology business is looking for a seasoned Chief Financial Officer to join at an important point in its evolution. Operating in advanced therapies and life sciences, the company combines deep scientific capability with commercial delivery to support complex manufacturing and healthcare services. As the organisation grows its operations, deepens commercial partnerships and prepares for the next stage of expansion, it needs a commercially strong CFO who can provide strategic financial direction while remaining comfortable in a dynamic SME setting.

This is a significant executive leadership role with direct exposure to the CEO and Board. The successful candidate will help shape strategy, support sustainable funding pathways and strengthen the financial foundations needed for long-term growth.

Role Overview

Reporting to the CEO and working closely with the Board, the CFO will lead the finance function and advise on financial management, governance and commercial decisions across the business.

The position goes far beyond standard financial oversight. It includes contributing to business strategy, supporting growth initiatives, building funding approaches, assessing investment opportunities and safeguarding the organisation’s financial strength in a fast-changing industry.

The right person will bring strategic judgement together with a practical, hands-on style, and will thrive in an agile workplace where collaboration, initiative and adaptability matter.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with the CEO and Board to shape and deliver the organisation’s financial strategy.
• Drive multi-year planning and forecasting in line with business objectives.
• Provide commercial analysis that supports growth plans and business development opportunities.
• Build financial models, scenario analyses and investment assessments to guide executive decisions.
• Contribute actively to executive-level strategy discussions.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, treasury and cash flow management.
• Improve financial results through disciplined planning, analysis and performance reporting.
• Manage procurement and inventory controls from a financial perspective.
• Oversee foreign exchange exposure and liquidity planning.
• Ensure pricing and costing structures remain viable for complex manufacturing and service arrangements.
• Continuously improve finance systems, processes and reporting.
• Work with the CEO to design and implement funding strategy.
• Pursue grant opportunities, government programs and other non-dilutive funding sources.
• Support capital management activity, including investor engagement, strategic partnerships and future fundraising efforts.
• Create detailed cash flow and funding scenarios to support expansion plans.
• Ensure statutory and management reporting is accurate and delivered on time.
• Prepare board-level papers, financial analysis and executive reporting packs.
• Lead the annual budget cycle, external audit and financial reporting processes.
• Maintain strong internal controls and meet all financial and regulatory obligations.
• Support the Board in maintaining high standards of corporate governance.
• Coordinate Board and committee meetings.
• Prepare agendas, papers and minutes for Board sessions.
• Handle statutory lodgements and corporate governance compliance.
• Maintain company registers and official corporate records.
• Support director appointments, inductions and governance activities.
• Lead enterprise risk management and oversee financial risk controls.
• Maintain risk registers and support Board-level risk governance.
• Ensure compliance with legislative, tax and corporate governance obligations.
• Support compliance with relevant ISO standards and quality systems.
• Build governance frameworks that support investment decisions and return-on-investment analysis.
• Lead, coach and develop the finance team while promoting accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Build effective working relationships across operations, commercial and technical teams.
• Mentor staff and strengthen finance capability across the organisation.
• Contribute to a strong and high-performing executive culture.

About You

You are a commercially minded finance leader who enjoys combining strategic influence with operational delivery. You are motivated by the chance to make a real impact in an innovative business pursuing ambitious growth.

Ideally, you will bring:

• CPA or CA qualification, along with relevant tertiary study.
• Extensive senior finance leadership experience, preferably at CFO or senior executive level.
• Proven ability to build financial strategy in a complex commercial environment.
• Deep experience across planning, reporting, taxation, treasury, compliance and governance.
• Strong capability in financial modelling and scenario planning.
• Experience creating funding strategies, capital plans and obtaining external funding.
• Strong commercial judgement with exposure to growth strategy, pricing and investment decisions.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills and the ability to earn trust with Boards, executives, government bodies, investors, auditors and external partners.
• Experience producing Board papers and presenting to Boards and committees.
• Strong leadership, communication and influencing skills.
• A collaborative, practical approach suited to an SME environment.

Desirable Background

• Experience in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, life sciences or healthcare.
• Background in manufacturing or advanced manufacturing environments.
• Exposure to research and development organisations.
• Experience with government funding programs and grants.
• Previous company secretary responsibilities.
• MBA or postgraduate leadership study.

Why This Role

This is a chance to join a purpose-led organisation operating at the cutting edge of Australian biotechnology.

• Influence the direction of a growing and innovative business.
• Work closely with an experienced CEO and engaged Board.
• Lead funding and capital strategies that enable future growth.
• Build finance capability across the wider business.
• Make a visible contribution with meaningful impact.
• Join a collaborative leadership team focused on innovation, quality and continuous improvement.

Additional Information

The client is also open to candidates who would consider the role on a part-time basis.

Reference number: 06810-0013434046LH.

Privacy Notice

By submitting an application, you consent to the recruitment agency using your personal information to process your application and to contact you regarding future opportunities. You are also asked not to include sensitive personal information in your résumé, such as government ID numbers, ethnicity, gender, religion, marital status or trade union membership, as this is not collected at this time.