Company Overview
Metrea delivers effects‐as‐a‐service to national security partners across five domains and more than a dozen mission areas. These include airborne ISR, electronic warfare, secure communications, aerial refuelling, special air missions, aerial firefighting, and advanced simulation. We own the whole stack: designing, building, and operating turnkey capabilities that give our partners decisive, asymmetric advantage against rapidly evolving threats.
Position Summary
This is a high‐stakes, foundational role. As the first Finance Director for an international entity entering the Australian market, the focus is split between strategic setup and rigorous government compliance. The Finance Director will lead the establishment of the Australian finance function for a global leader entering the local market. You will be responsible for building the financial infrastructure, ensuring full compliance with the Corporations Act, and managing the complex financial reporting requirements of large‐scale Commonwealth Government contracts. You will act as the primary interface between the global HQ and the Australian operation, balancing international reporting standards with local regulatory mandates. To be successful in this role, you will be a highly adaptive leader who can navigate the ambiguity of a new setup while maintaining the rigid discipline required for government reporting. You will be a dedicated collaborator, working seamlessly with global stakeholders to align Australian operations with international strategy. Your success will hinge on your ability to build a team‐based culture from the ground up, ensuring that finance is seen as a strategic partner to the project delivery teams. You will balance a proactive approach to risk management with the resilience needed to manage the complexities of long‐term, high‐value Commonwealth contracts.
What You'll Do
* Government Contract Management: act as the financial lead on major government programs, ensuring adherence to Earned Value Management (EVM), ASDEFCON standards, and milestone‐based billing.
* Compliance & Statutory Reporting: ensure, where appropriate, full compliance with Australian Accounting Standards (AASB/IFRS) and ASIC reporting, and manage the transition between the global parent's reporting cycles and Australian tax/financial year‐ends.
* Strategic Tax & Treasury: oversee international transfer pricing arrangements, Thin Capitalisation rules, and Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT); manage local cash flow and hedging strategies for international procurement.
* Business Partnering & Leadership: build and mentor a high‐performing local finance team (Project Accountants, AP/AR staff) while advising the Australian Managing Director on commercial risks and growth opportunities.
* Audit & Internal Controls: establish a robust control environment to satisfy Metrae Group requirements and Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) expectations for government contractors.
* Member of the Senior Leadership Team.
What You Bring
* Strategic Market Entry Experience: proven track record of establishing financial functions for a multinational subsidiary in a new jurisdiction, including entity and tax setup.
* Government Contracting Expertise: advanced knowledge of ASDEFCON or large‐scale Commonwealth reporting, specifically EVM and milestone billing.
* Regulatory & Statutory Mastery: deep proficiency in AASB/IFRS and the Australian tax landscape, including Thin Capitalisation and Transfer Pricing rules.
* Team Building: history of hiring and mentoring "full‐function" finance teams (AP/AR to Project Accountants) from the ground up.
Additional Beneficial Experience
* Systems Implementation: experience overseeing the local rollout of Tier 1 ERPs to align with global HQ.
* M&A Exposure: background in managing financial due diligence or post‐merger integration for international acquisitions.
* CA or CPA qualification (or international equivalent) with 10+ years of senior leadership in a matrixed global environment.
Benefits
* Private Health Insurance
* Generous PTO
* Annual incentive plan
* Paid parental leave
* Life and disability insurance
* Income Protection Insurance
* Employee Assistance Program
* Novated Car Leasing
Work Authorization / Security Clearance
Ability to obtain and maintain an AGSVA Security Clearance.
Inclusion Statement
We are committed to building a team that reflects a broad range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and make hiring decisions based on capability, potential and alignment with our values. If you require any adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please let us know.
Travel
Domestically within Australia and internationally (UK/US).
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