Diocesan Financial Administrator (COO) – Bathurst NSW

Are you seeking an executive role:

• Where “each day is an adventure”?
• In a setting offering professional growth and an “opportunity to make a difference”?
• In Bathurst, a significant regional centre that offers a balanced and affordable lifestyle, and strong community values?

The Diocese of Bathurst comprises some 65,600 baptised Catholics whom Bishop Michael McKenna shepherds, protects, and guides in imitation of Christ, as the “Good Shepherd”. The Bishop has a duty of personal care, service and vigilance to his flock.

The Catholic Diocese of Bathurst is a diverse mix of mountain ranges to the east, rolling tablelands through the Central West, sprawling plains to the north-west, and thriving regional and rural communities throughout, with major regional centres including Orange, Dubbo, Bathurst, Mudgee, Cowra and Lithgow.

At the heart of the Diocese are the people in our 17 parishes who, through Baptism and the Holy Spirit, are committed to knowing, loving and serving Jesus Christ in the modern world.

Our Diocese has been blessed with a rich diversity: traditional Aboriginal custodians, old settlers and newly arrived migrants; rural, urban and industrial environments; sprawling, productive farmland; some of the country’s most breathtaking natural treasures, as well as established townships and some of the fastest growing suburbs in Australia. Our Diocese dates to the early days of European settlement, having been established in 1865.

Diocesan Financial Administration

The Diocesan Finance Council (Council) is the primary consultative body to the Bishop on financial and administrative matters. The Council members are appointed by the Bishop with skills and expertise in finance, accounting, investment and law.

Bishop Michael McKenna established the Council to:

• be well advised and supported in his stewardship and administration of the temporal goods of the Diocese according to Catholic teaching.
• in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Canon Law.
• adhere to sound principles of financial administration and compliance with secular law.
• and as a means of involving clergy and lay faithful in co-responsibility for the life and mission of the local church.

The Council is presided over by the Bishop or, in his absence, the Vicar General. It has an Executive Committee, comprising the Chair and the two Deputy Chairs of the Council, presided over by the Vicar General, which deals with the business of the Council.

Canon Law requires the Bishop to appoint a position titled ‘Diocesan Financial Administrator’ (DFA). In other contexts, the role of DFA could be described as chief operating officer. The DFA is the Executive Officer to the Council, the Executive of the Council and its 2 Standing Committees.

Living in Bathurst

Bathurst is the oldest inland settlement in Australia, with a strong cultural identity and plenty to offer residents of all ages.

The Bathurst region is home for approx. 45,000 people and appeals to those who want a balanced and affordable lifestyle, strong community values, access to good education and work opportunities, a touch of heritage and culture, and the outdoors — all without the hustle, expense and congestion of major metropolitan living.

Further Information

Additional information can be viewed by visiting the Diocesan website located at https://bathurst.catholic.org.au/

We acknowledge the First Nations peoples of Australia, the traditional custodians of the land, seas, skies and waterways on which we reside, work, travel and meet. We pay our respect to First Nations elders past, present, and emerging.

 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices or names of deceased persons in photographs, video or audio recordings.

Position Overview

Position Title: Diocesan Financial Administrator (DFA)

Reports to: Diocesan Bishop

Position Introduction

The Diocesan Financial Administrator is a mandatory appointment made by the Bishop after consulting with the Diocesan Finance Council (Council) and the College of Consultors.

Leading a team of 13, the DFA is accountable to the Bishop for the sound management of the temporal affairs of the Diocese. The DFA is also known as the Chief Operating Officer (Finance Officer under Canon Law) or the Head of Administration and Finance (Diocesan Financial Officer).

Areas of Responsibility

• Administering the goods of the Diocese in accordance with Canon Law, civil law, and the plans of the Council, subject to the Bishop’s authority.
• Providing strategic leadership and planning, particularly in matters of finance, investments, property, governance, risk and compliance, for both the present and future.
• Supervision and management of Diocesan finances including the preparation of Annual Budgets and Financial Statements and quarterly reporting to the Council.
• Oversight and monitoring of service level agreements with external Service Provider partners.
• Serving as the delegate of the Bishop to assist Parish Priests in observing the ethical, moral & legal requirements for administering church temporal goods.
• Overseeing the ongoing development and implementation of governance, financial, property, and risk management policies.
• Ensuring that all financial and property dealings adhere to civil and canonical requirements and meet the highest ethical standards.
• Providing advice to the Bishop and Diocesan leaders on matters of significance.

At a later stage in this project, you will be provided a full position description and organisation chart. You will also be briefed on the success criteria for the first 12 months in the role.

Commencement

The start date is negotiable and could range from May through to December. This is made possible because the current DFA (who has signalled his intention to retire) has agreed to remain in the role to ensure there is a handover period and smooth transition of leadership.

Location and Travel

The Chancery Office is situated at 118 Keppel Street in Bathurst.  While the role will be mostly based in the Chancery Office, the nature of the role in supporting parishes will require travel throughout the Diocese, particularly in the initial period when it is vital to develop relationships with Parish Priests, parish staff and Parish Finance Councils.

Other Relevant Information

• The financial year is July 1^st to June 30^th.
• With various Church ministries (such as Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst Ltd and Centacare Orana and Central West ) having responsibility for their own financial reporting and revenue, the annual budget for the Chancery is not material, however the asset base is substantial.
• The accounting software is MYOB, with automated reporting handled by Calxa. The payroll is managed by Centacare.
• Catholic Development Funds back office and investment support is through a Service Partner, the Diocese of Parramatta.
• Auditor for the Chancery is Walker Wayland.

Conditions of Employment

• The remuneration package will be discussed as we move through this process.
• Term: 5 years, with the possibility of renewal for additional terms.
• The standard 6-month probation period applies.
• Annual Leave of 4 weeks, without leave loading and Personal leave of 8 days per annum is provided.
• A fully maintained vehicle is included, with salary packaging of the private use component.
• The expectation is the person will live in the Bathurst region and so relocation assistance is available.
• This is a fulltime leadership position which involves extended hours, evening meetings as well as travel that includes overnight absence from home.
• Applicants will require a current Drivers Licence to fulfil the requirements of the role.
• Prior to appointment the successful applicant will possess a current, approved Working With Children Check and get clearance with a Police Check.

Selection Criteria

We invite expressions of interest from people who align with the following:

• A personal commitment to the Catholic faith and active participation in a Catholic Parish community.
• Experience at a senior managerial level in a sizable, complex environment.
• Ideally this experience will be demonstrated by:
  • Understanding of governance, risk and financial management.
  • Knowledge of financial regulations for not-for-profit entities.
  • Team leadership and development skills.
  • A commitment to process improvement.
  • Capacity to work at strategic and operational levels, with the willingness to ‘roll up the sleeves’ to assist at all levels of the Diocese.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a high degree of personal integrity.
• A strong work ethic, with a commitment to service.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications (such as in Accounting, Law, Administration, Management, or Finance) and a track record of ongoing personal and professional learning.

It is essential that the person be a hands-on problem solver and able to work with business proposals, risk analysis, feasibility studies and financial analysis, at strategic and operational levels. It would be an advantage, but is not essential, to be an Accountant/Financial Controller/Director and a CPA or CA.

Are You Interested?

If you are interested in this role, please use the ‘Express Your Interest’ panel on this webpage; or email jobs@traksearch.com quoting ref number TS1581-23. All we require at the outset is a resume, email address and mobile telephone number. No other documentation is required from you to express your interest.

All emails and resumes are acknowledged within 48 hours. Please contact us again if this does not occur.

Questions can be directed to John Chesher (0417 068 220) or by email to jobs@traksearch.com

If you are NOT interested in this role but would like to be advised of future leadership positions, click here to register for our weekly email alerts.

The Selection Process

The timeline for this project is as follows:

We have been instructed to provide a process that is transparent and welcoming.

• We are available for your confidential enquiries. We will also provide additional information to allow you to explore how the role aligns with your expectations and interests.
• Closing is 5.00pm on the date shown above. However, a late application could be accepted, providing it does not adversely impact other applications or the Diocesan schedule.
• We expect to complete a work-related reference; and a faith-based reference with a Catholic Parish priest; both prior to shortlisting. We anticipate speaking with another work-related referee between shortlisting and interviews; with final references completed in the final stages of the process. No referee will be contacted without your express consent.
• The selection committee will provide an option of an online interview in circumstances where a person is unable to visit for the initial face-to-face meeting.
• Please be aware our standard practice utilises the services of an external specialist in pre-employment screening. This service includes employment history verification; Police Check; and academic qualifications and professional memberships verification.
• Prior to the shortlisting process, information provided to Trak Search will be made available, in confidence, to the Bishop, or his nominees, unless you instruct otherwise.
• For more information on our process click here to access the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
• Only people with the unrestricted right to work in Australia may apply for this role.
• People are contacted and discussions commence soon after applications are received. We do not wait until the close date. There are advantages in applying immediately.

Trak Search strongly supports the principles of equal employment opportunities in the workplace. We support our clients in recruiting a diverse range of people and a diverse range of talents.

 Trak Search is committed to working with client organisations in the safeguarding of children and young people. Applicants should be aware that in addition to the Working with Children and National Police History Checks required by our client, Trak Search screening processes, interview questions and reference checking will also reflect this commitment.

You are also encouraged to view our Collection Statement which provides details on the manner in which we collect and use information obtained from you during your engagement with Trak Search.