General Manager, Business Performance & Operations

Professional Association | Sydney CBD - Hybrid | Full-time, Permanent

$180,000 – $200,000 + Superannuation

“This is not a traditional finance role. It’s a seat at the table — driving strategy, performance, and growth for one of Australia’s most respected professional associations.”

A leading Australian association operating in the Professional Services sector is seeking an exceptional commercial leader to take ownership of the organisation’s financial performance, membership growth, technology, and operations. Reporting directly to the CEO, this is a rare opportunity to shape the long-term sustainability of a well-regarded organisation at the heart of the Australian governance and risk community.

You’ll be a key partner to the CEO and Executive Team — translating strategy into measurable outcomes, leading a high-quality reporting rhythm to the Board, and ensuring the organisation’s resources and systems are aligned to its ambitions.

WHAT YOU’LL OWN

• Enterprise-wide financial leadership — budgeting, forecasting, audit oversight, statutory compliance and Board-level reporting
• Membership performance — growth, retention, lifetime value, revenue forecasting and insight into member behaviour and trends
• Technology and data — strategic oversight of platforms, ICT governance, cyber security and business continuity
• Operational excellence — governance frameworks, business planning cycles and continuous improvement
• Premises and assets — leasing, fit-outs, relocations and asset management
• Three direct reports: Finance Manager, IT Manager and Membership Retention Manager

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

• CA, CPA or CIMA qualified — this is essential, not just desirable
• 15+ years’ experience, including senior leadership in complex organisations
• Proven track record in financial leadership, commercial analysis and performance management
• Demonstrated Board and Risk, Audit & Finance Committee experience
• A genuine data mindset — you use insight and analytics to drive decisions, not just report on them
• Experience in not-for-profit, membership or professional association environments (highly regarded)
• Strong technology literacy — you understand systems and platforms without necessarily being technical
• A clear, credible communicator comfortable with executive and non-executive audiences alike

THE KIND OF LEADER YOU ARE

You’re confident without being territorial. You lead with evidence, own difficult decisions, and build trust across an organisation through transparency and follow-through. You’re just as comfortable in a Board presentation as you are with your team working through a complex forecasting model.

Above all, you understand that behind every membership metric and every budget line, there’s a community of professionals who rely on this organisation to do its job well.

AT A GLANCE

Direct reports:

3 (Finance, IT, Membership Retention)

Ready to lead at the intersection of finance, data and strategy?

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage early expressions of interest from candidates with the right mix of commercial rigour and leadership credibility.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage early expressions of interest from candidates with the right mix of commercial rigour and leadership credibility