Finance , Strategy and Optimisation Manager 

Today and tomorrow at Compass Group, we serve a better future by enriching people, communities and our planet. We do this because we believe that everyone should be seen and nourished as a whole person. We focus on the individual, their needs and more broadly on positive impacts in the community.

Join the world's largest catering company in a highly visible client and business facing Finance , Strategy and Optimisation Manager role.

As the Finance , Strategy and Optimisation Manager you will be responsible for developing and implementing financial strategies to enhance Finance organisational performance and efficiency. This role involves leading initiatives/projects, identifying opportunities for improvement, and working closely with Executive Director of  Finance & D&T/Finance senior management to drive strategic financial initiatives.

You will collaborate with various stakeholders and align on frameworks and processes that ultimately allow our teams to deliver value for our clients . You  will need to have strong analytical and critical thinking skills, and a clear ability to identify key business trends and issues. Building professional relationships at various levels of the organisation and lead senior-level discussions. In addition, a “can do attitude “and a result driven self-starter that is able to work independently, and complete initiatives under tight deadlines within a fast-paced working environment. This permanent role will be based in either our Perth or Sydney Offices.

The Position:

• Collaborate with the Executive Director (ED) of Finance & Technology with  strategic planning defining the functional ‘Vision’ and ‘Purpose,’ ensuring alignment with the overall organisational strategy
• Design and prioritise strategic initiatives that support the Finance ‘Vision’ and ‘Purpose,’ driving innovation and operational excellence
• Create comprehensive materials for Finance leadership meetings, Quarterly Finance Updates, and ED Finance & Tech Strategy meetings, facilitating informed decision-making and strategic discussions to enable business growth and risk management
• Regularly report on the status and progress of strategic priorities, providing insights and recommendations for continuous improvement
• Lead and manage Finance Optimisation initiatives as defined from inception to completion, ensuring optimal resource allocation, adherence to timelines, and budget compliance
• Conduct thorough evaluations of financial risks, developing and implementing robust strategies to mitigate potential financial impacts and ensure organisational resilience
• Identify, design, and implement process improvements within the Finance function to enhance operational efficiency, accuracy in financial reporting, and overall financial performance
• Develop detailed project charters and business cases, and support or facilitate collaboration to align stakeholders and drive project success
• Build and maintain strong relationships with the Managing Director and all Executive Directors  and senior management, cross-functional teams, and external partners to foster collaboration and achieve strategic goals
•  Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and performance metrics to measure the effectiveness of financial strategies and initiatives, ensuring continuous alignment with organisational objectives
• Drive change management initiatives within the Finance & Tech organisation, ensuring smooth transitions and adoption of new processes and strategies
• Stay abreast of industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies, leveraging this knowledge to introduce innovative solutions and enhance the Finance function’s capabilities.

The Person:

• Bachelor’s degree plus professional qualification/postgraduate studies in Finance, Business or Strategy (preferred)
• 3+ years post graduate experience in a consulting firm focussed on Finance Optimisation
• Ability to drive strong stakeholder engagement , influence and partner with team members, senior management and deliver superior service levels on projects and initiatives
• Strong end-to-end project or program management skills
• Well-developed consulting and problem-solving toolkit with ability to motivate and drive results
• Exceptional written, verbal communication and presentation skills including experience facilitating meetings, preparing and presenting project updates
• Exceptional analytical and process mapping skills
• Data analysis, problem solving, critical and diverse thinking skills
• Experience in strategy development and execution, project and change management and Process Optimisation
• Experience with financial software and ERP systems
• Excellent  Microsoft Office skills with a  focus on  Excel and PowerPoint
• Ideal but not essential experience with a Top 5 Consulting Firm or Top Tier Bank or Financial Institution

The Benefits

Compass Group is an organisation that's proud of its great people. We believe in the opportunity to recognise and develop great talent and offer many diverse opportunities for career advancement. Recognised as an employer of choice we also have an attractive benefits program including a competitive salary and incentive scheme, recognition programs, paid parental leave, team event days, site-based benefits, and company discounts.

Our people’s unique backgrounds, experience, and abilities are at the heart of our vibrant workforce. We strive to create workplaces that reflect the diverse communities that we serve, where everyone feels empowered and valued. By building diverse teams means we are creating inclusive environments for all our people and those we connect with through our day-to-day operation. We welcome & encourage applications from Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples, people of all backgrounds, ages, sexual orientation, gender expressions, gender identity and people with disability.