Chief Financial Officer

• Lead financial strategy and stewardship across one of Western Australia’s most diverse and strategically important government departments.
• Play a critical executive role in shaping financial performance, procurement, reform and resource allocation across a complex statewide portfolio.
• Influence decision-making at the highest level as a member of the Corporate Executive, providing Chief Financial Officer leadership to the Department, nine Regional Development Commissions and two statutory bodies.
• Make a meaningful contribution to Western Australia’s industries, regions and communities while enjoying the professional and lifestyle benefits of living and working in metropolitan Perth.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development leads the sustainable development of Western Australia’s regions and its agriculture, aquaculture, food and fisheries sectors. Through its focus on protecting natural resources, growing primary industries and regions, and encouraging innovation, the Department supports capable communities, dynamic regional economies and responsible stewardship of land and aquatic resources.

The Department is seeking an accomplished Chief Financial Officer to provide strategic leadership across a broad and highly complex financial environment. In addition to serving as Chief Financial Officer for the Department, the position provides Chief Financial Officer services to nine Regional Development Commissions, the Agricultural Produce Commission and the Rural Business Development Corporation.

Operating as a member of the Department’s Corporate Executive and senior leadership team, the Chief Financial Officer will help shape corporate strategy, organisational direction and policy. The role offers the opportunity to influence financial stewardship, procurement, governance and organisational capability across portfolios that are central to Western Australia’s economic, regional and environmental future.

THE ROLE

Reporting to the Managing Director Corporate Services, the Chief Financial Officer will lead the Finance directorate and provide high-level strategic and technical advice to the Director General, Corporate Executive, senior management and key stakeholders. The position has six direct reports and is based in the Perth metropolitan area.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead the Department’s financial and procurement functions, including the development and implementation of strategic initiatives, corporate plans and government reforms.
• Oversee a complex financial portfolio encompassing Industry Funding Schemes, Commonwealth funding arrangements, Royalties for Regions projects, Special Purpose Accounts and Regional Biosecurity Groups.
• Lead the Department’s budget and reporting cycles, ensuring timely, accurate financial reporting, quality budget papers and compliant financial statements.
• Provide authoritative financial, accounting and procurement advice to the Director General, Corporate Executive, senior leaders and relevant statutory authorities.
• Maintain effective relationships with the Department of Treasury and Finance, Ministers’ offices and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Strengthen financial literacy across the organisation and build a capable, contemporary and client-focused Finance directorate.
• Lead effective governance, risk management, business continuity and continuous improvement across the directorate, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, public sector standards and government requirements.

THE CANDIDATE

To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate:

• An outstanding record of leadership and achievement at an executive level, with the capacity to operate effectively within a large and complex organisation.
• Significant financial and procurement leadership capability, with the strategic and technical judgement to provide authoritative advice to the Director General, Corporate Executive and senior leaders.
• The ability to think through complexity, anticipate broader consequences and risks, and make sound, timely, decisions in environments characterised by ambiguity and uncertainty.
• A system-wide perspective, with the ability to identify strategic priorities, influence outcomes and build trusted relationships across government and diverse stakeholder groups.
• A demonstrated ability to build organisational capability, developing high-performing teams, emerging leaders and a culture of accountability, inclusion and continuous improvement.
• Political awareness, resilience and adaptability, combined with integrity, sound judgement and a genuine commitment to public service.
• The ability to deliver results under challenging conditions while maintaining the reputation of your business areas and the department.
• Current membership of CPA Australia as a Certified Practising Accountant or Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand as a Chartered Accountant.

Knowledge of the Financial Management Act 2006 and experience in its application will be highly regarded.

For a confidential discussion, please get in touch with:

Sarah Buckler
​HG Principal Consultant
​M. +61 (0) | E. sbuckler@hardygroupintl.com

HOW TO APPLY

The closing date for applications is 5pm (AWST) Monday, 16 November 2026

The reference number to include in your application is H26_5605

Note: Please use the online WA Government Job platform to submit your application (Apply Now button below).