- Drive financial accountability and operational excellence at the heart of Australia’s clean energy transition
- Lead transformative change across finance, operations, and member value
- Champion the values and mission of a nationally influential peak body
The Clean Energy Council (CEC) is the peak body for renewable energy and energy storage in Australia. We represent the organisations that are building and delivering the country’s clean energy future, including major developers, infrastructure investors, long-term asset owners and operators, energy retailers, solar and battery manufacturers, technology providers, and professional service firms. Our members are united by a common goal of accelerating Australia’s transition to clean, reliable, and affordable energy, and we are recognised as the most credible and consistent voice of the clean energy industry.
With the sector undergoing rapid transformation, we are seeking a commercially astute and values-driven leader to take on the role of Chief Operations Officer (COO) - a role that blends the rigour of a Chief Financial Officer with the breadth of an operational leader.
Reporting directly to a newly-appointed CEO and working as part of the Executive Leadership Team, the COO will lead the financial, operational and cultural transformation of the CEC.
Your portfolio will span:
- Financial leadership: driving financial strategy, reporting and accountability; presenting to the Board; strengthening systems and controls; and advising the CEO on revenue targets and performance metrics
- Operational excellence: leading transformation across shared services, HR, IT and programs, while ensuring effective structures, systems and governance
- People leadership: nurturing a small but committed finance and operations team, uplifting strategic thinking and embedding a values-led culture
- Member value and programs: overseeing accreditation and member programs, ensuring financial discipline and alignment to strategic objectives
- Governance and compliance: supporting strong Board engagement, co-secretariat responsibilities, and maintaining robust risk management frameworks
This is a hands-on role requiring someone equally comfortable setting strategy and sitting around a Board table as they are getting into the detail of financial management.
To be successful you will have:
- Proven CFO or senior finance leadership experience in organisations with turnover above $30m
- Demonstrated success in financial governance, reporting to Boards, managing a P&L, and strengthening accountability in complex environments
- Commercial acumen and the confidence to challenge ideas constructively, balancing ambition with sustainability
- Experience leading transformation, including systems, process and cultural change
- A nurturing and inclusive leadership style, with the ability to develop teams and lead through ambiguity
- CA or CPA qualifications
We are open to candidates who may be on the way up in their career, provided you bring the strength, independence and commercial judgement to hold your own at the executive table and have strong alignment with the Clean Energy Council’s mission and values. This is a rare opportunity to join the CEC at a pivotal time, with a mandate to embed financial discipline, uplift organisational capability and drive value for members. You will work closely with the CEO, Board, and Executive Leadership Team to shape the next chapter of the organisation and the industry we represent.
To view the Success Profile for this opportunity, please copy and paste the following link into your browser: https://tinyurl.com/rvxm86wr
To apply, please click ‘apply now’ and upload your CV and Cover Letter. For any questions not outlined in the PD and for a confidential discussion, please contact Carla Bent on 0422 582 992 or Natasha Diamond on 0412 822 348.
Davidson acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work and live. We are also committed to equal opportunity and strive to promote diversity, inclusion, belonging, flexibility, and accessibility in all that we do.
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Applications close on Wednesday 8 October at 5pm.
