Commercial Finance Director

Location: Sydney, Brisbane 

Contract Type: Permanent 

MinterEllison is one of Australia’s largest law firms, with nearly 200 years of business history.  We're known for our legal and consulting expertise - and for our inclusive and authentic character.

Our purpose is to create sustainable value with our clients, people and communities.  That means we have a proud history of providing excellence to clients, nurturing our people and giving back to the communities in which we live and work.

We value excellence, curiosity and collaboration.  Clients rely on us for our responsive, commercial approach.  Our clients include government departments and agencies, private and publicly listed companies, and small and large businesses in Australia and overseas.  

As a highly valued employee we will also provide you with a wide range of benefits. To view our benefits, please copy this link into your browser www.minterellison.com/-/media//Minter-Ellison/Files/Careers/MinterEllison-Employee-Benefits-2024.ashx

Purpose of the Role

To lead the Commercial Finance team and act as a trusted finance partner to maximise and elevate the  performance of the firm through strategy development and implementation, providing commercial insights, enhancing profitability, and ensuring that the firm's financial practices align with its strategic goals.

This role is a member of the Financial Services Leadership Team and works closely with the CFO, other Finance Leads, Executive Leadership Team, Managing Partners, the Chiefs, and other Business Operations Functions to drive financial performance and deliver operational excellence.

Duties & Responsibilities

• The main areas this position is responsible for include:
• Lead the development and execution of the firms strategic plans in consultation with the CFO and LoB MPs. Drive and implement strategic initiatives, ensuring consistency across the Lines of Business to elevate the firm's financial and operational performance.
• Lead the Commercial Finance team to deliver and achieve key finance strategic initiatives and projects, drive and implement change whilst actively managing client and stakeholder expectations.
• Provide leadership, coaching, feedback and development to team members, monitor workloads and  resources across the team and build a performance excellence culture where team members are engaged and inspired to work to their full potential. 
• Establish strong trusted relationships with the ELT, Business Operations Chiefs, LoB MPs and BULs to enable you to work collaboratively and influence senior stakeholders to drive and implement change.
• Understand and support the Board and ELT's strategic vision and plans and drive alignment of this across the Commercial Finance team and broader Finance team.
• Provide deep insights, recommendations and thought leadership on business performance, client and practice area profitability, growth opportunities, operational effectiveness and identify cost-saving opportunities and efficiency gains. 
• Manage & co-ordinate the financial planning process across Commercial Finance, working alongside the Director, Reporting & Analysis. This includes budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis to drive efficiency and consistency and prepare the budget presentations to the Board, Executive Leadership Team, and Partners.
• Develop and implement financial models, profitability analysis and dashboards to provide real-time insights and support strategic planning and decision-making. 
• Build a high level understanding of financial performance throughout the partnership to inform strategic decision-making and enhance overall business acumen.
• Present and explain complex financial information in an accessible manner to non-finance professionals
• Evaluate and manage commercial risks, ensuring that the firm's financial practices are robust and mitigate exposure.
• Prepare papers for the Board, Executive Leadership Team, and Partners. Make significant contributions to the Board and ELT reports where required, providing a clear understanding of the firm's financial position and strategic direction.
• Drive and lead continuous improvement, consistency and operational efficiencies within the team to streamline processes and operations. Create a consistent service and experience across each LoB and champion the adoption of systems/tools (including adoption of AI) to enhance outcomes and decision making. 
• Collaborate and work in partnership with the Financial Services leadership team to achieve shared goals, drive greater collaboration across the finance function, identify opportunities for process improvement and prioritise initiatives to sustainably and profitably develop the firm's business and optimise client and stakeholder outcomes.
• Meaningfully contribute and demonstrate leadership to firm and team initiatives and projects. Work collaboratively with other Business Operations leaders and teams.

 
Knowledge, skills & experience

• 10+ years' experience in a senior leadership role with extensive experience in a senior commercial finance role, preferably in professional services
• A bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
• Demonstrable leadership skills and experience leading and engaging large national teams with the ability to motivate and grow a high performing senior team, and shape the team to respond to changing business needs
• Strategic thinker, commercial acumen and an entrepreneurial mindset with analytical and strategic problem-solving abilities
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategic business needs into financial planning and analysis
• Advanced proficiency in financial modelling, reporting tools, and data analysis
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with all levels of the firm
• Superior skills managing complex and diverse stakeholder expectations and interests, with demonstrated ability to influence across organisational boundaries to achieve results
• Demonstrated ability in building strong and effective relationships and working with senior stakeholders
   

Why MinterEllison

We offer flexible working options to encourage balance, wellbeing and support for sustainable ways of working and a range of social, financial and health benefits, including free gym membership - all with no minimum tenure.

We encourage applications from people of all ages, abilities, cultural backgrounds, genders (including trans or gender diverse), LGBTQ+ people and those with carer responsibilities. We particularly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply.

How to apply

We prefer to connect with people directly, so please submit your CV by clicking on the 'Apply' button. We encourage all applications, including if you do not meet the criteria listed for the role. Your application will also enable us to consider you for other opportunities that may be available at MinterEllison.

If you are currently a MinterEllison employee, please apply through the internal careers page.