Director Financial Reporting and Policy

The key duties of the position include:

The Role
The acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines is an historic and transformative endeavour for Australia. The whole-of-nation effort to safely and securely deliver the cutting edge nuclear-powered submarine program will transform Australia’s economic and national security landscape for decades to come. 

This is a unique opportunity to directly contribute to work that will impact Australia’s strategic and Defence outcomes, and the delivery of a capability that will play a key role in the defence of our country in the decades to come. 

The Director Financial Reporting and Policy is positioned within the Finance Branch reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer. Finance Branch provides enabling services and trusted financial advice that support the Agency delivering on its strategic priorities and ensuring its operations are effective and efficient. This is achieved through a variety of disciplines including budgeting and reporting, financial accounting and policy, finance business partnering and costings for both the Agency and the nuclear-powered submarine program. Working within Finance Branch, you will strengthen your technical skills, and be provided the opportunity to support Agency wide decision-making.

Key duties of Director Financial Reporting and Policy will include:

• Development and implementation of the Agency’s Financial Management Framework, policies and procedures, including Accountable Authority Instructions, financial delegations, and supporting guidance materials.
• Provision of high-level quality advice on the Agency’s Financial Management Framework to senior executives, including the PGPA Act, Accountable Authority Instructions, financial delegations, financial non-compliances and other relevant policies as required.
• Management of activities and technical oversight to support the preparation of the Agency’s annual financial statements and monthly financial/tax accounting processes, to ensure that the reporting and taxation obligations are met.
• Managing the agency’s financial literacy program, including the development and delivery of training.
• Managing the agency’s financial assurance and compliance programs. 
• Building and sustaining relationships with a network of key stakeholders and subject matter experts to resolve issues and achieve financial management outcomes. 

About our Team
As part of the Australian Submarine Agency you will be working at the cutting edge of capability delivery, supported by professionalisation pathways so you can continue to develop, along with unique and varied career opportunities. 

Our people are capable, committed and diverse. We support an inclusive culture that emphasises respect and collaboration and prioritises safety and security. Our greatest asset is our people.

Our Ideal Candidate
We are seeking an experienced, high performing, motivated, forward-thinking leader with deep experience and understanding of the Commonwealth resource management framework, financial accounting and reporting coupled with a strong ability to drive transformation and build financial capability across the Agency and within the branch.
 
Our ideal candidate will bring the following attributes and skills to the role: 

• Ability to assess, develop, implement and evaluate financial management strategies, initiatives, policies and procedures. 
• Analyse very complex financial management issues, applying technical expertise and professional judgement to identify, design and implement solutions. 
• Ability to engage and influence the Australian Submarine Agency senior leadership and provide the key link between senior executives and the Australian Submarine Agency employees in terms of financial frameworks, policies and procedures. 
• High attention to detail and the ability to apply and implement assurance processes over the Agency’s financial activities and processes.
• Excellent written communication skills and a proven ability to prepare clear, well documented and structured policies, accounting position papers, training material and high level briefs for the Executive Committee and Audit and Risk Committee.
• Excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills, including negotiation and collaboration that will support the cultivation of productive working relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
• A 'can-do' attitude with demonstrated ability to deliver high quality outcomes in a dynamic fast-paced high-pressure environment.

Eligibility

Security Clearance:
Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at “Negative Vetting Level 1”.
 

Getting to know the Australian Submarine Agency

The Australian Submarine Agency was established on 1 July 2023 and is responsible and accountable for the management and oversight of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine program. Australia’s acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines through the AUKUS partnership will be critical to ensuring our Defence Force has the capabilities needed to keep Australians safe. The Australian Submarine Agency operates under the Defence portfolio and maintains strong linkages with the Department of Defence. Our workforce comprises a mixture of Australian Public Servants, Australian Defence Force members and contractors. At the Australian Submarine Agency, you will enjoy experiences and opportunities that, as an APS employee, you simply would not get in any other organisation. You are able to undertake interesting, challenging and unique work. This ranges from intelligence and strategic policy right through to human resources, communications, infrastructure and engineering, and information technology. As part of the Australian Submarine Agency you will be working at the cutting edge of capability delivery, supported by professionalisation pathways so you can continue to develop, along with unique and varied career opportunities. Our people are capable, committed and diverse. We support an inclusive culture that emphasises respect and collaboration and prioritises safety and security. Our greatest asset is our people. We offer flexible working arrangements and a range of formal and informal professional development opportunities.