Finance Manager – Kia Ora Stud

About Us
Spread over 1140 hectares and situated just 15 minutes from Scone and 1 hour 45 minutes from Newcastle in NSW’s Hunter Valley region, Kia Ora Stud is one of Australia’s most successful and progressive thoroughbred operations.

An exciting opportunity to join the team in a full-time financial leadership role has become available.

About the Role
Reporting directly to the General Manager and working closely with the Directors and Breeding and Farm Operations teams, the Finance Manager will be responsible for the overall financial leadership of the organisation.

This is far more than a traditional finance role. You’ll influence business strategy, drive commercial performance, oversee significant bloodstock investment and manage organisational risk. You will ensure proper governance across the Stud and its investments. You will manage Workplace Health and Safety, Recruitment, IT Contractors, legal matters and provide input to the marketing team.

Leading a small finance and admin team, you’ll maintain a culture of accountability and collaboration while ensuring the execution of the overall business strategy and performance of its investments.

You will enhance the reporting processes, performance improvement initiatives and cashflow, identifying opportunities to save costs across all operations and better manage risk and controls.

Key Responsibilities
- Financial Management: Manage Kia Ora’s financial operations, including leading the annual budgeting approach and mid range cashflow forecasting in conjunction with the General Manager. Ensure that the financial transactions, policies, and procedures meet the organisation’s short and long-term business objectives and are conducted in accordance with regulations, appropriate accounting principles and standards. Monitor, approve and report the use of all funds as required within the approved budget parameters.
- Strategic Planning: Provide input into the business plan and implement and adjust the financial strategy as necessary. This includes long-term financial planning and forecasting, risk management, and capital and bloodstock investment strategies identifying opportunities to improve value, save costs and improve the combined financial performance of Kia Ora and its investments. Regularly communicate with the directors and key stakeholders around issues, trends, and changes in the operating model and operational delivery.
- Financial Reporting: Oversee the preparation and communication of monthly management reports and annual financial statements including managing the external audit. Ensure the timely reporting of key financial data including sale and purchasing decisions and updates to the Directors and other key stakeholders.
- Compliance: Ensure ongoing legal and regulatory compliance across all operations including but not limited to: financial functions, work place health and safety, Stud Book and Department of Primary Industries. This includes planning and compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
- Team Management: Develop and direct the accounting and administration teams across HR, IT, stud book and marketing to ensure collaboration across operations and ensure these parts of the operations support the evolving requirements of the strategy, operational delivery and data needs. Liaise with our legal advisors and accountants as required. Participate in key decisions as a member of the Senior management team. Provide guidance on attracting and developing key team members and develop a culture that makes Kia Ora an attractive place to work. Evaluate and oversee all employee negotiations.

What We’re Looking For in You
- A finance executive who has strong commercial judgement and excellent decision making.
- You enjoy working with the decision makers, influencing their business decisions and building trusted relationships across all levels of an organisation. You can dive into the detail when required, respond promptly to board and shareholder queries and present at Board level.

Ideally, you’ll bring:
- Financial leadership experience as a Finance Manager or Senior Finance Executive or you can demonstrate the ability to step up into this type of role.
CPA or CA qualification (essential).
- Demonstrated experience managing budgeting, forecasting, cashflow and financial reporting.
- Strong commercial acumen with proven experience providing strategic advice to executive leadership and Boards.
- Experience managing financial and legal risk, governance and compliance.
- Outstanding communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Strong analytical, commercial and problem-solving capability.
- A proactive, hands-on approach with the flexibility for interstate travel and extended hours as required.
- Experience within bloodstock, racing, livestock or similar industries will be highly regarded, but is not essential.

Work Hours & Benefits
- Salary commensurate with experience.
- Participate in the annual performance bonus scheme upon qualification
- Agistment of leisure horses
- Onsite accommodation, if required

Work on site full time.
Normal Hours of Work: 8.30am to 5.00pm. Hours will change depending on work requirements recognising the nature of the business and its operations.

You must have an existing right to work in Australia to be eligible to work in this role.

Apply now with a brief covering letter and your CV to guy@kiaoraestates.com.au