Interim Chief Financial Officer

A well-regarded heavy-asset infrastructure business is managing a significant contract wind-down and requires a seasoned interim CFO for an initial 6-month engagement with an immediate start. The incoming CFO will sit at the centre of a genuine transformation, working directly with a highly experienced Board that includes former CFOs, industry executives, and bankers. The role reports to the CEO and involves close collaboration with the COO.

This is not a steady-state finance role. The CFO will manage going concern considerations, oversee year-end processes, simplify Board-level reporting, and support a lean finance team through a period of substantial operational change. The position is based in North-West Sydney with 1-2 days working from home per week.

• Manage the full unwinding of a major contract, including asset sales, workforce redundancies, and restructuring of accounts and reporting
• Price and deliver a transition contract commencing in the near term
• Navigate going concern considerations given significant monthly outflows and limited cash headroom
• Own and maintain the banking relationship throughout the restructuring period
• Finalise the budget and manage year-end processes alongside external accountants
• Prepare and present Board-level reporting, with increased meeting frequency during the transition
• Simplify finance reporting to provide management and the Board with more granular, actionable information
• Support the finance team through a period of significant change and help shape the permanent finance leadership structure

• Proven CFO with prior exposure to complex restructuring, contract wind-downs, or business transformation scenarios
• Background in heavy-asset businesses such as engineering, contracting, infrastructure, or related services
• Strong technical grounding in asset management, going concern, banking relationships, and statutory reporting
• Comfortable operating at Board level and in operational detail, sometimes on the same day
• Experience managing workforce change, including redundancies and the human dimensions of a downsizing
• Able to identify issues, form a clear view, and present well-supported solutions to senior stakeholders
• Proficient with mid-tier ERP systems, Excel-based cash flow modelling, and PowerPoint board presentations

[axr] Recruitment & Search is an executive recruitment and search firm that places senior leaders across a range of industries, including infrastructure and heavy assets. The firm specialises in critical leadership appointments and interim executive engagements for organisations navigating complex transitions.