Chief Financial Officer

• Senior leadership role shaping financial sustainability
• Lead a professional, cohesive and capable finance function
• Live and work in one of North Queensland's most naturally spectacular regions

Located between Cairns and Townsville and framed by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and World Heritage listed Wet Tropics rainforest, the Cassowary Coast offers an enviable tropical lifestyle with genuine community connection.

Cassowary Coast Regional Council is seeking a commercially astute, values-led Chief Financial Officer to provide confident financial leadership, high-quality advice and strong stewardship across Council's finance, rates and payroll functions. Reporting to the Director Corporate and Community Services, the CFO will be a trusted advisor to the Executive Leadership Team, Council and senior leaders, helping shape decisions that support long-term financial sustainability and positive outcomes for the community.

This is a broad leadership opportunity in a small to medium-sized regional council, offering exposure across 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 continue building on strong Queensland Audit Office outcomes while maintaining disciplined financial management, clear advice and a focus on continuous improvement.

You will lead an experienced and supportive team with a strong service ethic, while also growing capability, developing succession pathways and strengthening business partnering across Council. The role requires a leader who can move comfortably between strategic oversight and hands-on problem solving, navigate complexity and ambiguity, and provide calm, respectful and credible advice in a high-scrutiny local government environment.

To be successful, you will bring senior financial management experience, sound governance judgement and the confidence to lead through challenge. Local government experience will be highly regarded, particularly an understanding of 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 desirable.

With an attractive remuneration package, plus relocation support for the successful candidate, this is an outstanding opportunity to combine executive-level impact with the lifestyle advantages of tropical North Queensland.

If you are a steady, strategic and forward-thinking finance leader who is ready to make a meaningful contribution to a growing regional community, we invite your interest.

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

For a confidential discussion, call Julie Barr or Rebecca McPhail on (07) 3211 9700.

Applications close COB Monday 13 July 2026.