Finance & Corporate Services Manager

Senior executive role leading finance, governance and corporate services at APYACC, driving growth, compliance and cultural integrity.

Position Description – Finance & Corporate Services Manager

Organisation: APY Art Centre Collective (APYACC)

Location: Thebarton, Adelaide (with occasional travel to regional art centres)

Employment Type: Full-time (0.8–1.0 FTE negotiable)

Salary Range: $120,000 per annum

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Direct Reports: Finance & Payroll Officer(s), Governance and Executive Support Officer

Make a real impact with one of Australia’s most dynamic Indigenous-led art collectives.  The APYACC is a thriving social enterprise owned and governed by Aboriginal artists across the APY Lands. We operate major galleries in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, and support regional art centres that showcase First Nations art on a global stage.

Role Purpose

The Finance & Corporate Services Manager is a senior executive role responsible for safeguarding the financial health, governance integrity, and corporate systems of APYACC. This role provides strategic and financial leadership, and operational oversight across finance, audit, risk, IT, HR/payroll, quality systems, and infrastructure.

As a member of the Executive team, the FCSM ensures the organisation’s continued growth, compliance, and credibility, while embedding culturally respectful governance practices that reflect Anangu values.  The FCSM is a key leader of the organisation and may be required to represent the CEO, and act up as the CEO, as required.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, and multi-year financial planning across diverse income streams (art sales, grants, donations, philanthropy, licensing).
• Provide high-level financial reporting, dashboards, and feasibility analyses to lead and inform strategic decision-making.
• Guide allocation of restricted and unrestricted funds to optimise compliance and organisational sustainability.
• Develop and advance strategic plans to enable financial sustainability

• Deliver clean annual audits in partnership with external auditors.
• Uphold obligations under ORIC, CATSI Act, ATO, ACNC, and all funding agreements.
• Maintain compliance registers (conflict of interest, assets, risk, contracts)

• Develop and oversee the Governance and Risk Board Sub Committee 
• ​Lead internal and external auditing processes​

• Prepare board and committee packs
• Prepare and present finance packs for Board meetings, including P&L, balance sheet, and cashflow reporting.

• Oversee MYOB, SAM, and payroll systems ensuring integration and accuracy.
• Lead financial controls: reconciliations, approvals, fraud prevention, and reporting.
• Supervise payroll, accounts payable/receivable, and grant acquittals.

• Manage leases, insurance, procurement, and IT systems across metropolitan and remote sites.
• Oversee APYACC’s quality management system, policies, and document control.
• Ensure cyber security and efficient IT/telecommunications procurement.

• Identify and mitigate financial and organisational risks, including funding volatility and capital projects.
• Maintain asset registers and oversee infrastructure upgrades and capital works (e.g. $1M facilities program).
• Integrate WHS compliance into financial and risk frameworks.

• Develop culturally appropriate financial literacy and reporting tools for Anangu staff and Art Centre Managers.
• Ensure community and Elders have appropriate pathways to influence financial decision-making.
• Mentor and support pathways for future Anangu financial leaders.

• Work alongside other executives and board directors to create and lead a positive and engaged culture that reflects and celebrates Anangu culture
• Lead and mentor finance and corporate services staff, fostering a culture of compliance, professionalism, and cultural humility.
• Oversee performance reviews, professional development, and succession planning.

Key Relationships

• Internal: CEO, General Manager, Board of Directors, Art Centre Managers, staff across metropolitan, regional and remote sites.
• External: Auditors, regulators, legal advisors, funders, donors, philanthropic partners, IT and insurance providers.

Selection Criteria

Essential

• Tertiary qualifications in Accounting, Finance, Business or equivalent, with CPA/CA status (or working towards).
• Demonstrated executive-level experience in financial management, compliance, and corporate services in a complex organisation ($5M+ turnover).
• Proven ability to lead audits, prepare board-level reports, and manage compliance with regulatory bodies.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Experience in Indigenous corporations, not-for-profits, and/or social enterprise environments.
• Respect and commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determination.
• High-level systems literacy (MYOB, financial modelling, payroll, reporting tools).

Desirable

• Experience working cross-culturally
• Knowledge of CATSI Act, ORIC, and grant acquittal requirements.
• Familiarity with quality systems and risk management frameworks.

Benefits

• Opportunity to lead finance and corporate services in one of Australia’s most innovative First Nations social enterprises.
• Salary packaging options.
• Staff discounts on artworks.
• Professional development and cultural learning opportunities.