The Little Company of Mary (LCM) is an international congregation of Catholic women Religious who have committed their lives to pray and care for the suffering and dying of the world.
Founded in Nottingham, England in 1877 by Venerable Mary Potter, the LCM spirit was carried to Australia in 1885. The Sisters’ reputation for compassion and care lead to invitations to serve communities across Australia. The Sisters, with support and advice, built hospitals, developed community services, negotiated agreements with governments, completed business training, and accomplished many community projects.
Having established services of excellence in health care alongside their other ministries, the Sisters were committed to ensuring that their mission of compassionate care be continued into the future. The Sisters developed a Governance Model which ensures the sustainability of the health care services they founded. Calvary Ministries is the formal body established by the Sisters in Australia.
Today, throughout Australia, New Zealand and Tonga, LCM women and their associates and partners in mission are working for the betterment of humanity. Responding to mission calls, the LCM serve by:
- Offering daily prayer for the sick and the dying “that all might have life to the full.”
- Working with refugees, and those alienated from their human rights
- Parish ministry/Eucharistic ministers
- Personal Care Support
- Providing hospital chaplaincy, prison visiting, and help to women and children in crisis
- Erin Earth
- Parkinson’s Australia
- A community presence to each other
- Teaching Conversational English
- John Ambulance
- Palliative Care
- Pastoral Care
- Partnerships in health projects e.g. Timor Leste
- Visiting those in need in hospital, nursing homes or in their homes
- Support for the Aged
- Visiting families in Tongan parishes to make known Mary Potter’s story and the charism and spirit of LCM
- Providing subsidised accommodation, activities and facilities, to relieve poverty and break down loneliness and isolation, particularly for older people of limited means
- Supporting in prayer and presence (where available) the Australia-based health care ministries, founded by the Sisters and now under the Stewardship of Calvary Ministries
- Memberships on Boards (in both Australia and in New Zealand)
- Spirituality Resources
Further Information
Additional information can be viewed by visiting the Little Company of Mary website at http://www.lcm.org.au
Position Overview
Position Title: Finance Operations Manager
Reports to: Region Business Manager
Position Purpose
The Finance Operation Manager is responsible for providing ongoing professional and compassionate support for the Sisters of the Little Company of Mary in Australia (LCM).
The position is accountable to the Region Business Manager to ensure that all internal and statutory finance and management reporting is carried out in accordance with LCM policies; assistance is provided on a range of business issues; and that coordination of payroll, superannuation and workers compensation is carried out. The role also provides IT support to the Region Administration Centre (RAC) and Sisters in the Communities.
At a later stage in this project you will be provided a full position description; and the success criteria for the first 12 months in the role.
Position Context
The Finance Operations Manager ensures the operation of the Corporation of the Little Company of Mary – Australia is functioning at its optimum, including IT, HR and Finance functions.
The Finance Operations Manager needs to have an appreciation of a range of business issues, standards, policies and practices in order to support the Region Business Manager.
The role must also be able to deal with complex enquiries from a range of people, build contacts across the organisation, and give clear directions to staff.
The role reports directly to the Region Business Manager, with three direct reports. An organisation chart will be provided at a later stage in this project.
Key Dimensions of the Role
- Preparation and presentation of quarterly Financial Statements and Management Reports.
- Preparation and presentation of annual budgets.
- Preparation and presentation of annual Long-Term 10-year budget Plan.
- Coordination of Payroll and external HR consultants responsibilities.
- Initial contact point for Sisters (internal) and external operation business queries.
- Work Health and Safety.
- With external provider, coordinate IT requirements
- Maintenance of LCM Australia properties portfolio.
Reason for Vacancy
The incumbent has decided to step down after 18 years in the role.
Location and Travel
The Administration Centre is currently located at 23-27 MacMahon St, Hurstville, NSW. In 2023 the office is moving to new premises in Mascot.
Some interstate travel could be required.
Other Relevant Information
- The financial year-end is 30th June
- Annual expenditure budget approx. $7m; capital expenditure budget approx. $0.3m this year and $1m next year.
- External auditor is Pitcher Partners (Sydney) and Moore Stephens Markhams (Christchurch).
- The accounting software, including payroll, used in Australia is Xero and SpotLight reporting.
- Accounting software used for New Zealand is Xero and payroll is managed through payroll, an external service linked to Xero.
- Almost all files are kept on Dropbox (corporate version)
Conditions of Employment
- Remuneration will be negotiated with the successful person, but a range of $125,000 to $150,000 is expected to attract the high calibre person we seek.
- Superannuation is included in the above value.
- Flexible working arrangements, minimum 2 to 3 days in the office, the remainder at home.
- Salary packaging is available.
- A laptop and mobile phone will be provided.
- On-site parking, when available.
- Full-time – 38 hours per week nominal hours.
- Appraisals occur annually
- The initial contract term is 4 years and renewable subject to the outcome of a performance appraisal in the 4th year
- The usual 6-month probationary period applies
Selection Criteria
We anticipate people interested in this role will be able to demonstrate:
- A willingness to learn and commit to the mission of the Little Company of Mary and to work in keeping with its mission and values.
- At least 5 years of experience in financial management, accounting and administration, ideally within a values-based NFP setting.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to present data in a readily understandable form; and interpret and explain data succinctly.
- Relevant degree qualifications and membership of a professional body, ideally CPA or CA.
Are You Interested?
If you are interested in this role, please use the ‘Express Your Interest’ panel on this webpage; or email jobs@traksearch.com quoting ref number TS1492. All we require at the outset is a resume, email address and mobile telephone number. No other documentation is required from you to express your interest. All emails and resumes are acknowledged within 48 hours. Please contact us again if this does not occur.
Questions can be directed to John Chesher (0417 068 220) or by email to jobs@traksearch.com
If you are NOT interested in this role but would like to be advised of future leadership positions, click here to register for our weekly email alerts.
The Selection Process
The timeline for this project is as follows:
| Date of project launch/advertising | By Tuesday 27th Sept. |
| Latest date for applications | Monday 17th October |
| Selection committee short listing | Week commencing Mon 24th Oct. |
| Anticipated date for LCM interviews | Week of Monday 7th November |
| Follow up meeting/discussion | Likely within 7 days of client interviews |
We have been instructed to provide a process that is transparent and welcoming.
- We are available for your confidential enquiries. We will also provide additional information to allow you to explore how the role aligns with your expectations and interests.
- Closing is 5.00pm on the date shown above. However, a late application could be accepted, providing it does not adversely impact other applications or the LCM schedule.
- We expect to contact a work-related referee prior to shortlisting. We anticipate speaking with another work-related referee between shortlisting and interviews. Final references are completed after LCM interviews. No referee will be contacted without your express consent.
- The selection committee will provide an option of a virtual interview via Teams in circumstances where a person is unable to attend for a face-to-face meeting.
- Please be aware our standard practice utilises the services of an external specialist in pre-employment screening. This service includes employment history verification; National Police Check; and academic qualifications and professional memberships verification.
- All information provided to Trak Search will be made available, in confidence, to the Region Business Manager, or his nominee, unless you instruct Trak Search otherwise.
- To obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the Trak Search methodology, including our screening process, click here to access the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
- Only people with the unrestricted right to work in Australia may apply for this role.
Trak Search is committed to working with client organisations in the safeguarding of children and young people. Applicants should be aware that in addition to the Working with Children and National Police History Checks required by our client, Trak Search screening processes, interview questions and reference checking will also reflect this commitment.
Trak Search strongly supports the principles of equal employment opportunities in the workplace. We support our clients in recruiting a diverse range of people and a diverse range of talents. We are committed to adapting our recruitment processes to accommodate neurodiverse candidates; or people with different physical abilities.
You are also encouraged to view our Collection Statement which provides details on the manner in which we collect and use information obtained from you during your engagement with Trak Search.
