Finance & Commercial Manager – GEMA Group
Help drive the financial strategy behind one of Australia's most exciting hospitality groups.
GEMA Group, Australia's premier event and catering company. With over 40 years' experience in the food and beverage industry, GEMA Group understands commitment and integrity to our clients, but most of all, the promise to provide quality -time and time again.
The GEMA Group prides itself on its people and its culture, holding an industry reputation for a team of likeminded, enthusiastic professionals, who love what they do!
We're seeking an accomplished Finance & Commercial Manager to join GEMA Group as we accelerate our growth across the country.
The Finance & Commercial Manager leads financial planning, performance management and commercial insights across the business. This role works in close partnership with executive leadership, operations teams, and venue managers to deliver data-driven insights, that optimise financial performance, and support sustainable growth across all venues, events, and business operations.
If you're a seasoned finance leader who thrives on challenge, brings both strategic vision and hands-on expertise, and wants to play a pivotal role in a dynamic, fast-growing business, this is your opportunity.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Leadership & Strategy
* Develop, implement, and maintain financial strategies aligned with organisational goals and strategic plans.
* Provide forward looking financial insight and commercial advice to senior leadership to support business growth, operational efficiency, and sustainability.
* Contribute to strategic planning processes by modelling financial scenarios and forecasting future performance and to translate strategy into actionable financial plans.
Budgeting & Forecasting
* Lead the preparation, management, and monitoring of annual budgets and rolling multi-venue / event-specific forecasting.
* Analyse variances against budget and forecast, identifying sensitivity risks, opportunities, and corrective actions.
* Work collaboratively with operational and venue managers to ensure financial accountability and cost control.
Financial Reporting
* Oversee and interpret management reporting prepared by the finance team, ensuring insights are clear, relevant, and decision focused. Reports include monthly management reports, and performance dashboards.
* Interpret financial data and present clear insights and recommendations to executives and key internal stakeholders.
* Maintain integrity and accuracy of financial information in accordance with accounting standards and company policies
Commercial & Performance Management
* Partner with Operations, Events, and Procurement teams to improve margin performance.
* Analyse cost drivers including labour efficiency, stock usage, wastage, and supplier pricing.
* Support pricing models, tender responses, and commercial proposals for venues and events.
* Develop and maintain financial models to assess profitability of events, venues, and new initiatives.
* Provide post-event and post-venue performance analysis to inform future decisions.
Risk Management & Compliance
* Identify, assess, and manage financial risks that may impact the organisation.
* Support financial risk management and compliance activities, working closely with the Financial Controller to strengthen controls and governance.
* Support audits and implement recommendations to strengthen financial controls and processes.
Operational & Multi-Site Financial Support
* Provide financial oversight and support across multiple venues, events, and operational areas.
* Assist venue and operational leaders in understanding financial performance and improving profitability.
* Support financial planning for new initiatives, greenfield sites, and external events as required.
Commitment to the Integrated Management System (IMS)
* Support and comply with IMS policies, procedures, and documentation relevant to financial management.
* Support internal audits and corrective and preventive actions related to financial processes.
* Ensure financial systems and controls remain current and aligned with business changes and compliance requirements.
Education and Training
* Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related discipline
* CPA or CA qualification highly desirable
What You'll Bring
* Strong analytical and financial modelling skills with the ability to interpret complex data.
* Strong commercial acumen and business partnering capability
* Experience in operational or event-based environments is desirable
* High attention to detail and accuracy in reporting and compliance.
* Strategic thinking with the ability to align financial outcomes to broader business objectives.
* Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
Shape the financial future of a growing hospitality powerhouse.
As Finance & Commercial Manager, you'll be central to our financial and commercial success, delivering high-quality performance reporting, driving strategic and commercial insights, and supporting strong financial governance across the business.
You'll bring the expertise and commercial acumen needed to optimise performance, strengthen our finance function, and uphold rigorous standards of governance and compliance.
Your leadership will enhance our systems and processes, develop your team's capabilities, and provide the financial and commercial clarity that empowers confident decision-making at every level.
If you're ready to drive impact and results with a company that's going places, we want to hear from you.