Assistant Director-General and Chief Finance Officer

• Lead financial stewardship of an approximately $22 billion annual budget
• Guide a 300-person finance, procurement and facilities portfolio
• Help shape educational outcomes and Queensland's long-term future

About the Department of Education

The Department of Education is responsible for one of Queensland’s most important public services. Its work shapes the experiences and opportunities of children and young people and supports the social and economic future of communities across the state.

Through its Brighter Futures strategy, the Department is focused on delivering excellence in every state school, for every student. Its priorities include improving educational achievement, strengthening student belonging and engagement, supporting inclusive learning environments and directing resources to where they will have the greatest impact.

With an annual budget of approximately $22 billion and an infrastructure portfolio of around $2.1 billion, the Department operates at significant scale. Its decisions influence schools, students, families, educators and communities throughout Queensland, including those in regional and remote locations.
This is an opportunity to apply significant financial and organisational leadership to a clear public purpose. The successful candidate will help ensure that public resources are managed responsibly and directed effectively to support better educational outcomes and stronger communities across Queensland.

About the Role

Reporting to the Deputy Director-General, Corporate Services, the Assistant Director-General and Chief Finance Officer will provide strategic leadership across finance, procurement and facilities.

Leading approximately 300 people through three Executive Directors, the CFO will oversee a substantial portfolio during an important period of transition. The role will provide stability and direction while strengthening functional capability, financial discipline and relationships across government.
  
Key responsibilities include:

• Providing strategic financial, investment and resourcing advice to the Minister, Director-General and Executive Leadership Team.
• Leading financial strategy, budget management, procurement, financial services, governance and facilities across the Department.
• Driving fiscal discipline, expenditure management and reform while ensuring resources are directed towards the Department’s highest priorities.
• Building productive relationships with Queensland Treasury, the Queensland Audit Office and other government agencies to influence outcomes and advance departmental priorities.

The CFO will move beyond financial reporting to interpret performance within its operational context, challenge assumptions and clearly explain the implications of key decisions. They will help the Department balance immediate fiscal pressures with the long-term investments required to support schools and improve outcomes for students.

This role offers the opportunity to influence decision-making at the highest levels of government while leading a function whose performance directly supports the delivery of education across Queensland.

About You

You will be an accomplished senior finance executive with CA or CPA qualifications and experience leading substantial functions within a large, complex and highly scrutinised organisation.

Beyond strong financial and commercial capability, you will be a credible and pragmatic organisational leader with the confidence to provide clear and independent advice, the judgement to navigate competing priorities and the ability to establish trusted relationships across executive leadership, government and central agencies.

You will be skilled in leading through change, developing executive capability and creating clarity and accountability across a diverse function. You will understand how to balance financial discipline with organisational purpose and will be motivated by the opportunity to serve the community and contribute to Queensland’s future.

Your leadership style will combine high standards with collaboration, resilience and a strong commitment to integrity, stewardship and public value.
  
Please visit the detailed candidate page for further information and to apply: *************************************> Confidential inquiries to:
Jane Ellis, Managing Partner, Luminary, on ************

General inquiries to: ********************************

Applications close: Midnight, Monday 21st September 2026

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