Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officer McArthur Innisfail full-time, onsite

The Cassowary Coast, situated between Cairns and Townsville and bordered by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and the World Heritage listed Wet Tropics rainforest, provides an appealing tropical lifestyle with authentic community connection.

Cassowary Coast Regional Council is seeking a commercially astute, values-led Chief Financial Officer. This role will offer confident financial leadership, high-quality advice, and strong stewardship over Council's finance, rates, and payroll functions. Reporting to the Director Corporate and Community Services, the CFO will serve as a trusted advisor to the Executive Leadership Team, Council, and senior leaders. The position will contribute to shaping decisions that support long-term financial sustainability and positive community outcomes.

This is a broad leadership opportunity within a small to medium-sized regional council, providing exposure to strategy, governance, operations, budget planning, rating, financial modelling, audit, reporting, and direct executive engagement. Council's budget has recently been adopted, and the organisation is well-positioned to build on strong Queensland Audit Office outcomes by maintaining disciplined financial management, clear advice, and a focus on continuous improvement.

The successful candidate will lead an experienced and supportive team with a strong service ethic, while also fostering capability growth, developing succession pathways, and strengthening business partnering across Council. The role requires a leader capable of transitioning between strategic oversight and hands-on problem-solving, navigating complexity and ambiguity, and providing calm, respectful, and credible advice within a high-scrutiny local government environment.

To be successful in this role, applicants will possess senior financial management experience, sound governance judgement, and the confidence to lead through challenges. Local government experience will be highly regarded, with a particular emphasis on understanding annual budget and rate-setting processes, elected member reporting, financial sustainability modelling, and the nuances of operating in a politically aware, community-focused environment. Relevant tertiary qualifications in finance, accounting, or a related discipline are an advantage, with CPA or CA membership being desirable.

An attractive remuneration package, including relocation support for the successful candidate, is offered. This presents an outstanding opportunity to combine executive-level impact with the lifestyle advantages of tropical North Queensland.

We invite applications from steady, strategic, and forward-thinking finance leaders ready to make a meaningful contribution to a growing regional community.

To obtain a comprehensive Candidate Information Pack and learn more about the opportunity and application process, please visit mcarthur.com.au and enter J8490 in the job search function BEFORE APPLYING.

For a confidential discussion, please contact Julie Barr or Rebecca McPhail on (07) •••• •700.

Applications close COB Monday 13 July 2026.