• Lead a high-impact finance function through transformation
• Shape the future of a diversified, fast-growing family organisation
• Partner directly with the CEO to drive performance and cultural evolution

About the opportunity

This is a pivotal newly created leadership role for a Head of Finance who is ready to step into a growing SME environment undergoing uplift, renewal and rapid momentum. You will join an established business with over 150 people and a strong legacy, now entering its next era of capability building and modernisation. This is a rare moment to influence not only the financial framework but the culture, discipline and strategic clarity of the entire organisation.

As the CEO’s strategic partner, you will bring direction, pace and insight to how the business plans, measures and delivers results across its multiple business units. You will lead the finance team and your remit spans financial stewardship, operational partnership and strategy. You will define and implement accurate reporting, disciplined controls, sharper decision making, and empower the finance team to new heights, driving the finance function to true business partners. This role offers you both the canvas and the mandate to elevate the organisation’s financial maturity and contribute meaningfully to continued growth.

About You

You will be a CA or CPA qualified Accountant with significant experience in senior finance roles within an SME environment, ideally withing the industrial, manufacturing, construction or engineering sector with a proven track record in strategic finance leadership, business partnering, cash and working capital management and margin improvement.

You are a hands-on, decisive, modern finance leader with the presence and capability to guide a business through growth, change and cultural evolution. You think commercially, communicate with clarity, and move easily between board level strategy and team development and coaching. You enjoy transforming systems, strengthening controls, building people capability and embedding business partnering disciplines that genuinely shift performance. You are down to earth, humble, and have a natural ability to build lasting relationships at all levels of an organisation.

You thrive in complex, multi-unit environments, and you know how to turn operational reality into financial foresight. You lead with confidence but stay grounded and influence without ego. You challenge constructively and lift the standards around you. Above all, you bring a leadership mindset that is curious, accountable, collaborative and driven by progress.

What’s on Offer

You’ll join a proudly Australian, family owned organisation with more than 70 years of history, deep roots in the region, and a national reputation in technically demanding industrial services. The business has doubled in size in 3 years and is on track to double again in the coming years, offering the rare combination of heritage stability and high-velocity growth.

You will have autonomy to shape the finance function, influence executive decision making and build a team known for capability, insight and partnership. The business is diverse, and the challenges are substantial, meaningful and career defining.

You’ll step into a culture that blends family business values with a commitment to innovation, improvement and excellence. Here, leaders are empowered to leave a legacy. And in this role, you will.

For further information please apply via the role advert or contact Sarah Layer or Scott Craig with any specific questions: scottc@areteexecutive.com.au or 0466 756 921. To ensure fairness and manage the high volume of interest, we are only accepting applications submitted via the link provided. Email applications will not be considered. You must have unrestricted working rights in Australia to apply. As part of the process, pre-employment checks will be conducted.