Brisbane City Council
is now recruiting for
Strategic Finance Business Partner
Multiple Positions Available
Applications close midnight, Friday 17th April 2026
Overview
Brisbane City Council is by population the largest local government in Australia, with total assets over $44 billion and an annual budget of over $4.1 billion. Our responsibility is to provide leadership for the people of Brisbane and to manage our resources to create a vibrant, successful and liveable city for the future. We work in partnership with a variety of governments, peak bodies, industries and community organisations to build a better Brisbane.
Corporate Values
Getting things done - Adapting to meet changing needs and priorities
Value for money - Looking for opportunities to contribute to the growth of the city.
Passion for Brisbane - Delivering value to Brisbane, its residents and customers.
Respect for people - Embracing diversity and communicating openly and honestly.
Responsive customer service - Adding value to every customer interaction
Working together - Looking for opportunities to collaborate and connect to deliver a better Brisbane.
Courage to make a difference - Committed to continuous improvement and a city and workplace free of discrimination, harassment and offensive behaviour.
Making a Difference
Brisbane City Council’s people deliver services and projects that contribute to making Brisbane a great place to live and do business. We are passionate about delivering:
active and healthy and creative communities
driving a strong economy
sustaining a clean and green environment
a city of cultural vibrancy
developing our New World City
creating an enduring legacy of liveability for future generations.
More information can be found here.
Vision
Brisbane Vision 2031 is Brisbane City Council’s long-term community plan for the city. It guides the work that Council does and provides a focused set of goals to work towards.
Council's eight programs guide the implementation of our Corporate Plan to achieve the Brisbane Vision 2031. Council and the community are working together to ensure the important things about Brisbane are retained for future generations and we all make the right choices to achieve the future we want. Council is also transforming to be a leaner, innovative and high performing organisation that strives to deliver exceptional customer service and value for money for rate payers.
About the Role
Strategic Finance Business Partner
Multiple Positions Available
This role acts as the key financial advisor to Public Transport Services / Infrastructure Services Group providing insights, advice and analysis to support strategic decision-making and drive optimal business and community outcomes. Through the provision of high-quality, commercially astute advice this role bridges the gap between finance and operations, this role ensures finance strategies and objectives align with Group goals, resulting in informed decision making and responsible financial and budget management outcomes for Council. Requiring superior engagement, networking, communication and influencing skills this role will operate seamlessly across all levels of Council, to create synergy in key priorities with a view to ensuring the Group’s strategic and financial direction, enables the broader vision and goals of Council and the community.
Key Accountabilities
Lead and role model customer focused behaviour by delivering the highest standards of service to our customers.
Model and lead performance excellence and values-based culture in line with Council’s Leadership Blueprint.
Deliver high-quality, commercially astute advice to the Civic Cabinet Chair’s Office, Group Executives, and executive stakeholders, enabling sound financial decisions aligned with Council’s objectives.
Oversee the group’s annual budgeting process, monthly forecasts, and variance analysis, ensuring financial frameworks and controls are embedded and support fiscal responsibility.
Manage and embed best-practice financial, program planning, and performance monitoring systems that align with strategic goals and support continuous improvement.
Provide management accounting advice to executives by applying critical thinking and professional judgement to analyse financial and operational data, identify root causes, and translate complex issues into actionable insights and solutions.
Apply critical thinking and professional judgement to analyse financial and operational data, identify root causes, and translate complex issues into actionable insights and solutions.
Ensure that financial and performance frameworks, policies, processes, systems and standards are consistent, appropriate and complied with throughout the division to facilitate informed and fiscally responsible decision making.
Identify and manage emerging risks and issues with potential commercial or financial impacts, ensuring compliance with governance frameworks and policy standards.
Engage, consult, and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to align priorities, resolve issues, and influence outcomes in the best interest of Council.
Present to senior stakeholders confidently, deliver high-quality reports and submissions, and coach team members on effective communication to support decision-making and engagement.
In a matrix style structure, inspire, coach, and manage a team of finance experts to deliver strategic outcomes, while fostering a collaborative and future-focused business partnering environment.
Monitor external trends and policy shifts, assess their strategic implications, and ensure alignment between divisional actions and the broader objectives of Council.
Advocate for Council values, strategies and directions particularly emphasising on performance leadership, Council Values, Code of Conduct, Workplace Justice and Zero Harm.
What Success Looks Like
Within the context of the responsibilities described previously, the ideal applicant will be someone who has:
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Demonstrated evidence of capabilities in Council’s Leadership Blueprint to deliver performance excellence and a values-based culture.
Extensive experience working as a business partner in a transport or infrastructure services business to drive and champion a continuous improvement and service excellence agenda.
Extensive practical experience in the effective delivery of financial and managerial accounting services including business planning, budgeting, forecasting, analysis and reporting.
Highly developed business and commercial acumen with an excellent ability achieve effective results in a complex and evolving organisation.
Proven ability to influence and shape strategic direction through thought leadership and effective management styles.
Highly developed interpersonal skills with an exceptional ability to negotiate, consult, coordinate, and communicate effectively across all levels of staff and management.
Exceptional analytical, research and problem-solving skills including developing, reviewing, analysing, and presenting financial and program information.
Proven success in building and nurturing a high performing team in a matrix style reporting structure.
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Post Graduate Qualifications in Management, Public Administration or similar would be highly desirable.
Certified Practising Accountant or Chartered Accountant qualification (completed or in progress).
Experience in project evaluation, cost recovery, or pricing strategy in a local government setting.
Familiarity with local government financial frameworks and regulatory requirements.
Tertiary qualifications in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or a related discipline.
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Be familiar with and follow the spirit and content of Council’s Code of Conduct. A copy of this is provided with your appointment letter if successful, or can be accessed on Council’s Performance and Conduct site.
Be familiar with and undertake all work in accordance with relevant policy and legislation, including:
Council’s Inclusion Blueprint, Awards and Enterprise Agreements, City of Brisbane Act, Council Local Laws and Anti-Discrimination legislation
Council’s Values and Behaviours
Council’s Zero Harm Policy Statement
Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) legislation
Relevant WHS Responsibility Statement
Brisbane's Customer Charter.
Consider all aspects of Zero Harm, including wellness, safety and health, appropriate to your position, as a requirement of Council’s Zero Harm Management system.
Be familiar with our Corporate Plan as it serves as the guide for how Council will deliver services and activities for the next five years. It sets the medium-term objectives to enable Council to continue to work together with the community and retain our thriving and sustainable city for future generations.
How to Apply
Brisbane City Council are committed to inclusive and diverse practices, including recruitment and selection which ensures people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disability, women, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have equal opportunity to apply and participate.
Candidates who represent diverse backgrounds are encouraged to submit an application.
To be considered, please provide the following information in your online application, for the assessment of your suitability:
A short (no more than two pages) statement focusing on how you align with the core accountabilities outlined in the role statement below.
Your current CV highlighting your relevant experience, qualifications, and achievements.
If you need assistance with your application please reach out to us.
Applications close midnight, Friday 17th April 2026
Useful Links
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Brisbane Vision
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Working at Council
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About Council
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Living in Brisbane
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Living in Queensland
Confidential Enquiries
BRUNO COSTA
Associate
JANE ELLIS
Managing Partner
