Project Location: Perth, WA
Reporting Line: Director – Zenith Energy Australia / Project Director
Direct Reports: Finance / Accounts Support roles as appointed; outsourced finance providers during transition
Key Interfaces: Project Manager, Project Controls Manager, C&P Lead, auditors, banks, Client finance contacts
Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract / Staff
Expected Duration: 3 years, with possibility to extend depending on project schedule
Position Description & Scope of Role
The Finance Manager will establish, lead and continuously improve Zenith's finance management function for its projects, while also supporting the broader Zenith Energy Australia finance requirements. This is a hands‐on manager role responsible for project finance governance, financial systems, invoicing, subcontractor payment controls, cash flow, treasury, audit support and management reporting. The role will work closely with Project Controls to ensure project cost data, finance records, forecasts and Client‐facing reporting are aligned, auditable and commercially robust. The Finance Manager will also lead the transition from externally supported finance arrangements to a more capable in‐house finance function, including processes for bookkeeping, payroll, corporate reporting, BAS, tax, audit coordination and project cost allocation.
Key Responsibilities
1. Finance Function Leadership and Transition
* Establish the project finance strategy, systems, controls, approval workflows and reporting rhythm.
* Lead the transition from externally supported finance arrangements to a stronger in‐house finance capability.
* Manage finance support resources and external advisers, including outsourced finance, payroll, tax, audit and banking partners.
* Ensure finance processes are practical, disciplined and suitable for a fast‐moving project environment.
2. Project Finance Governance and Cost Recovery
* Own the financial management framework for a large, cost‐plus project.
* Ensure costs are captured, coded, evidenced and reported to support reimbursement, auditability and commercial recovery.
* Work with Project Controls to align budgets, commitments, actuals, accruals, forecasts and cost‐to‐complete reporting.
* Oversee CLIENT invoicing, subcontractor payment controls, invoice verification and cost recovery support.
3. Budgeting, Forecasting and Reporting
* Lead project and company budgeting, cash flow forecasting, management reporting and variance analysis.
* Prepare financial reports for Zenith leadership, UK group management, project governance forums and external stakeholders.
* Maintain visibility of working capital, committed cost, forecast final cost, funding requirements and commercial exposure.
* Provide finance input into Stage Gate submissions, reforecasting exercises and performance reporting.
4. Treasury, Banking and Funding
* Manage cash flow planning, treasury controls, bank reporting and funding arrangements required to support project delivery.
* Support bank guarantees, invoice finance, working capital facilities or other project funding structures.
* Maintain visibility of financing costs, facility conditions, covenant requirements and cash flow risks.
5. Corporate Finance, Compliance and Audit
* Manage Zenith Australia finance requirements, including corporate budgets, payroll, invoicing, BAS, tax coordination and statutory reporting support.
* Coordinate group audit requirements and ensure project and corporate financial records are complete, controlled and readily auditable.
* Establish finance controls to detect errors, non‐compliances and unsupported costs before they become commercial or audit issues.
Competency, Experience & Certification Required Experience
* Significant finance management or senior accounting experience in project‐based organisations.
* Experience supporting large energy, resources, infrastructure, engineering, offshore or major capital projects.
* Strong understanding of cost‐plus, reimbursable, open‐book or highly auditable contract environments.
* Demonstrated experience in project accounting, invoicing, cost recovery, cash flow forecasting, accruals and management reporting.
* Experience reconciling project controls data with financial systems, invoices, payments and forecasts.
* Experience managing payroll, AP/AR, BAS, tax coordination, statutory accounts, audit support and process improvement.
Desirable Experience
* Australian offshore oil and gas, decommissioning, drilling, wells or MODU‐related project exposure.
* Exposure to bank guarantees, invoice finance, working capital facilities or project funding arrangements.
* Experience transitioning finance activities from outsourced providers to an in‐house finance function.
* Familiarity with project cost systems, ERP/accounting platforms, payroll systems and reporting tools.
Required Competencies
* Strong finance leadership with the ability to build fit‐for‐purpose systems, controls and reporting processes.
* Commercial awareness of how finance supports contract management, project governance, funding and cost recovery.
* Strong reconciliation discipline and willingness to challenge unsupported cost or forecast data.
* Ability to translate complex financial information into clear management insight.
* Strong stakeholder management across project management, controls, C&P, auditors, banks, advisers and client representatives.
* Practical, delivery‐focused approach suited to a fast‐moving, high‐scrutiny project environment.
Personal Attributes
The successful candidate will be structured, commercially aware, pragmatic and comfortable operating between project delivery, corporate finance and external stakeholders. They will be capable of building finance processes from the ground up while maintaining discipline, auditability and commercial focus.
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