Director, Finance & Business – Loreto Australia & South-East Asia, MELBOURNE

The Loreto Story

Inspired by the Gospel, Mary Ward founded the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (IBVM) in 1609 in York, UK.   The IBVM is an order of Catholic religious women, referred to as Loreto Sisters, whose mission is to ‘transform the Church and world particularly by empowering women to seek truth and do justice.’  Mary Ward recognised the critical difference that education could make to her troubled world, especially through the care and development of faith.

In 1875 Mother Gonzaga Barry brought the Institute to Australia from Ireland and established Loreto schools across the country.  The Loreto values of Freedom, Justice, Sincerity, Verity and Felicity are embedded in all school cultures and translated into the wider community in a wide range of ministries focused on advocacy for the disadvantaged, social justice and spiritual accompaniment.

Loreto Sisters, with their sister congregation, the Congregation of Jesus, have established communities and schools across the world, operating some 150 schools worldwide.  The mission of Loreto education articulates that Loreto schools ‘offer a Catholic education which liberates, empowers and motivates students to use their individual gifts with confidence, creativity and generosity in loving and responsible service.’

The Province of Australian and South-East Asia

Within Australia there are seven Loreto Schools committed to the Loreto Mission and guided by their local governance body, the School Board.  There are also two associated Australian schools which have their roots in the Loreto education tradition.  Loreto Sisters of Australia and South- East Asia (The Province) also live and work in Vietnam, Timor-Leste and the Philippines supporting a wide range of social justice and education projects.

Within this Province Loreto Sisters work alongside colleagues in the areas of aid and development through Mary Ward International Australia

Recently established by The Province, Loreto Ministries Ltd has the mandate to ensure sound governance and ongoing stability of the Province’s corporate ministries. The Board of Directors, in collaboration with the Province’s ministries, support the ongoing mission of Loreto in Australia and South-East Asia. Loreto Ministries Ltd is a Not-For-Profit public company limited by guarantee and a charity registered with the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profits Commission.

The Loreto story has strong foundations and is being animated in this time and place by a wide ‘circle of friends’.  It is into this collegial leadership network that we are now seeking a Director, Finance & Business to steward our vision and values, resources and responsibilities into the future.

Further Information

Additional information can be viewed by visiting the Loreto Sisters website located at http://www.loreto.org.au

Position Overview

Position Title: Director, Finance and Business

Reports to:       Province Leader, Loreto Australia & South-East Asia

Position Purpose

Reporting to the Province Leader, Loreto Australia and South-East Asia, (the Loreto Province) the Director, Finance and Business is responsible to:

• Drive continuous improvement in the performance and capability of Finance, Investment Management, Property, Purchasing, Payroll, Insurance, Fleet Management, Compliance and Audit, which will position the Province for growth, sustainability and stability aligned to Mission and Strategy;
• Provide strategic business advice and financial reports for the Loreto Province including, Loreto Sisters, Loreto Ministries Ltd, Mary Ward International Australia and other future ministries;
• Participate in the planning, development, monitoring and achievement of the Loreto Province and other ministries’ overall strategic plans, services and programs;
• Provide strategic leadership in financial governance and compliance to ensure all statutory and other obligations are met.

Key Responsibilities

Areas of responsibility include:

• Strategy and Development
• Leadership & Relationships
• Governance
• Finance
• Loreto Sisters: provide support to Community Leaders with preparation of community budgets and ongoing monitoring.
• Loreto Ministries Ltd: provide strategic financial advice, services and support to Loreto Ministries Ltd, as required by the CEO, Loreto Ministries Ltd.
• Mary Ward International Australia (MWIA): provide strategic financial advice and support to the development of MWIA.

A full position description will be provided later in this process.

Initial Priorities

• Finance Systems: Review and maximise the SAP system in order to meet Loreto current and future requirements, including identifying improvements in reporting and capability.
• Finance Policies, Procedures and Practices: Review current framework to align with contemporary practices, legislation, and business improvements.
• Property Management: Establish a property maintenance and management system to improve reporting, monitoring and forecasting for future needs.
• Risk Management: Implement actions and outcomes of current Risk Management project and ensure ongoing compliance.

Key Relationships

This role reports to the Province Leader and has responsibility to support the CEO of Loreto Ministries Limited. Reporting to the Director Finance and Business is an Accountant; a Project management Accountant; and an Accounts Payable Officer (part-time).

An organisation chart will be provided later in this process.

Other Relevant Information

• The financial year-end is December 31^st, although some entities have a June 30 year-end.
• External auditor is Deloittes.
• The accounting software is SAP; payroll (for 20 employees) is managed in-house using Sage.

Location and Travel

The office location is Level 2, 257 Auburn Road, Hawthorn East. Some interstate and international travel will be a requirement of the role.

Conditions of Employment

• The salary will be negotiated with the successful person.
• Superannuation is 9.5%
• Car parking is provided.
• Salary packaging is available.
• Appraisals occur annually.
• The usual 6-month probationary period applies.
• Completion of a National Police Records Check and Working with Children Check, as per standards in each state, is a requirement of the role.
• An Australian licence to drive a motor vehicle.

Selection Criteria

We anticipate that people interested in this role will be able to align with the following criteria:

• The desire and capacity to develop an appreciation for the Loreto vision, mission and values;
• Senior level financial management expertise, with involvement in aspects including taxation, compliance, asset management, insurance, investments, reporting and legal;
• An ability to work at strategic thinking and planning tasks as well as hands-on with the day-to-day routine, operational responsibilities;
• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills;
• CPA or CA with a record of continuing professional development.

Are You Interested in this Opportunity?

If you are interested in this role, then simply complete the ‘Express Your Interest’ panel on this page; or email us at jobs@traksearch.com stating your interest and nominating ref number TS1385. Whichever you choose, please provide a brief resume and contact telephone number.

At this stage we do NOT ask you to address the selection criteria or provide an application document – just complete the panel on this page or send a brief email to Trak Search to indicate your interest in ‘Loreto Sisters TS1385’; and providing your brief resume and contact telephone number.

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 job alert.

Any questions can be directed to either (a) our Director John Chesher by telephone (0417 068 220) or (b) email our office via jobs@traksearch.com. The timeline and details for this project are outlined below. All emails and applications are acknowledged within 48 hours

The Selection Process

Key dates are as follows:

Trak Search has been instructed to provide a process that is welcoming for people interested in this role. Significant aspects include:

• Throughout the process, Trak Search is available for confidential discussions and to provide information to allow you to explore this opportunity and determine your interest in the role.
• A range of additional information will be provided to you as we progress through this process.
• At the outset you will not be required to: complete an application form; provide a lengthy document to address the selection criteria; or supply referee details. However, you will be invited to supply us with additional information (verbally and in writing) as you progress through the process.
• A late application could be accepted, providing it does not adversely impact other applications or the schedule. Please be aware however that any application received after close of business on the date noted above is more likely to be returned to you.
• At the appropriate time we will seek written consent to speak with referees – listing referees on your resume does not signify consent to do so.
• We expect to contact one work-related referee prior to shortlisting, with additional references completed later in the process.  You should always expect that before reaching the final stage of the project, we will ask to speak with at least one person who has: directly managed you; recently; and for a significant period of time.
• All information provided to Trak Search will be made available prior to shortlisting, in confidence, to the Loreto Sisters unless you instruct Trak Search otherwise.

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.