Group Chief Financial Officer in Sydney

Our client is an established international group providing retail fit-out and commercial interior solutions. It combines local customer relationships and project coordination with design, engineering, manufacturing and sourcing capability in China, supported by quality assurance and logistics. The group is pursuing international growth, new market opportunities and selective acquisitions while preparing for a proposed ASX listing.

Based in Sydney, the Group CFO will work closely with the CEO to lead group finance, strengthen reporting and controls, improve visibility over margins and cash, and support growth decisions. The role will also lead the financial preparation required for listing.

About the Role

Reporting to the Group CEO, the Group CFO will take ownership of the group's financial function and play a key role in shaping the organisation's next phase of growth. This is a hands-on executive appointment combining strategic financial leadership with operational involvement. Working closely with the CEO, COO, Board and finance teams across Australia and China, you will strengthen financial reporting, improve visibility over project margins and cash flow, and ensure the business is prepared for the demands of a listed environment.

The successful candidate will be a trusted commercial partner to the CEO, providing clear financial insight, constructively challenging decisions and identifying risks and opportunities early. You will also lead the financial workstreams associated with IPO readiness, while helping build the systems, controls and reporting disciplines needed to support sustainable growth.

About You

You are a commercially minded finance leader who can balance strategic thinking with the practical demands of running and improving a finance function. You are comfortable working in a lean, evolving business, bringing structure and discipline without creating unnecessary complexity.

• Experience as a CFO, Deputy CFO or Group Financial Controller ready to step into a broader executive role.
• Strong commercial finance capability, with experience leading financial functions and influencing business decisions.
• Direct ASX-listed company or IPO experience is strongly preferred, ideally including involvement in listing preparation, capital raising or other capital markets transactions.
• A sound understanding of ASX Listing Rules, AASB/IFRS, ASIC requirements and public-company governance.
• Experience with group consolidation, cross-border reporting and complex financial structures.
• Strong commercial understanding of project-based operations, including project margins, working capital and cash conversion.
• Experience improving financial systems, reporting processes, internal controls and audit readiness, including contributing to ERP implementation or improvement. Familiarity with Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365 Business Central, Power BI and CRM platforms such as Pipedrive would be advantageous.
• Demonstrated capability in financial modelling, acquisition assessment and due diligence.
• Excellent communication skills, sound judgement and the confidence to constructively challenge senior stakeholders.
• CA, CPA or CFA qualifications, or an equivalent recognised professional qualification.
• Mandarin language skills and experience working across Australia and China will be a significant advantage. Experience in manufacturing, retail fit-out, construction, logistics or other project-based environments will also be highly regarded.

A strong commercial finance leader with relevant public-market exposure and the ability to step into the role will be considered.

What You Will Get in Return

• A key executive appointment with a direct working relationship with the Group CEO.
• An opportunity to lead the financial preparation for a proposed ASX listing.
• Direct access to the Board and Audit & Risk Committee on relevant financial, audit and governance matters.
• The opportunity to influence commercial strategy, acquisitions, financial performance and international growth.
• A broad leadership remit across finance, governance, systems and cross-border operations.
• The opportunity to build and strengthen a finance function during a significant period of organisational development.

Please Note: Only successful/shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The successful candidate will also be required to conduct a Police Check prior to commencement.