Executive Director, Administration & Finance
The Archdiocese is seeking an accomplished Executive Director, Administration & Finance to provide strategic and executive leadership of a significant portfolio, supporting the Archbishop and the Archdiocese's mission through prudent, professional, and pastorally sensitive leadership and stewardship of temporal goods and operations.
Based in Sydney with local, interstate and international travel, this executive role reports directly to the Archbishop of Sydney, with portfolio oversight of Catholic Development Fund; People & Culture; Business Operations; Property & Infrastructure; Finance; Legal. Board and committee appointments as determined by the Archbishop are an essential component of this role.
About the Archdiocese
The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney is home to more than 600,000 Catholics and to St Mary's Cathedral, the Mother Church of Australia. The Archdiocese is made up of over 120 Parishes, ecclesial movements, lay communities and ethnic chaplaincies. As well as nurturing the spiritual lives of the hundreds of thousands of Catholics, the Archdiocese supports thousands more in the local community through health and aged care, education, welfare and community services.
The Catholic Church in Australia is the largest non-government education, welfare, social services and health care provider. The charitable works funded by the Archdiocese also include, amongst others, Aboriginal ministries, services for the deaf and impaired hearing, and the formation of priests in seminaries.
The opportunity
This is a pivotal appointment working closely with the Archbishop, senior clergy, and key consultative and governance bodies to ensure decision-making is transparent, sustainable, and compliant with both canon law and civil obligations, always in service of the Church's mission.
Key responsibilities
* Lead an integrated Administration & Finance portfolio, setting strategy and driving execution across finance, people, property, operations, legal and governance in accordance with the Mission, Vision & Values of the Archdiocese and broader mission of the Church.
* Support the Archbishop's canonical responsibilities and objectives for the administration of temporal goods, including excellent advice, rigorous governance processes and strong oversight.
* Develop and sustain strong, respectful and productive relationships across clergy, parish leadership, diocesan agencies, the broader Catholic Church, donors and partners, and relevant government and commercial stakeholders.
* Strengthen Archdiocesan governance, risk, assurance and internal controls, including fit‐for‐purpose policies and frameworks.
* Deliver high‐performing leadership, service excellence and stakeholder confidence across parishes, clergy, agencies, staff and external partners.
* Provide effective oversight of property and infrastructure stewardship, major works and capital governance.
* Drive transformation and continuous improvement (including systems, data and operating model uplift).
* Undertake board/committee roles as required, preparing clear papers and recommendations.
What you bring
* A demonstrated, personal commitment to the faith, morals, ethos and mission of the Catholic Church (fundamental requirement).
* Senior executive experience leading complex, multi‐disciplinary portfolios and high‐performing leaders.
* Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively, building strong and effective relationships.
* Strong governance experience and capability, including board/committee engagement and sound judgement in complex and sensitive stakeholder environments.
* Deep financial and commercial acumen (budgeting, treasury/investments, risk management and sustainable stewardship).
* Experience overseeing property and finance portfolios and major project governance.
* Capacity to develop and apply knowledge of canon law as it relates to temporal goods and diocesan governance, and its interaction with Australian civil obligations.
* Transformational change leadership experience, strong emotional intelligence and communication skills, and a track record of delivering excellent outcomes.
Application process
Horsley & Company Pty Limited has been appointed to conduct an executive search for this role.
For a confidential discussion, additional information, or to apply, please contact andrew@horsley.com.au.
Applications close: 13 March 2026.
The Archdiocese is wholly committed to ensuring the safety, well‐being and dignity of all children and adults at risk, and acknowledges its important legal, moral and spiritual responsibility to create a safe and nurturing environment for those children and adults at risk. The Archdiocese has a zero‐tolerance approach to child abuse. You are encouraged to read the Archdiocese Commitment Statement and Safeguarding Policy.
Additionally, the Archdiocese is committed to continuous improvement to assess and address the risk of modern slavery in its operations and supply chains and to report annually on these actions in the form of a Modern Slavery Statement.
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