Senior Finance Manager

***CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS THURSDAY 28TH NOVEMBER***

SENIOR FINANCE MANAGER (RWC 2027 LOC)

FIXED-TERM CONTRACT TO COMMENCE FEBRUARY 2025 UNTIL MARCH 2028

BASED IN SYDNEY

The Rugby World Cup (RWC) Australia Local Operating Company (LOC) is searching for an experienced finance professional to join our team!

Reporting to the Head of Finance and Procurement, the Senior Finance Manager will build and lead the team responsible for managing the end to end accounting function and financial systems to support the LOC, working closely with the Word Rugby finance team. This role will have a strong focus on ensuring strong internal control systems and processes are in place and fit for purpose, timely and accurate financial reporting is prepared and statutory financial reporting requirements are met.

This is an exciting and unique opportunity to be part of a global event that will set new standards and drive the growth of Rugby. We are looking for candidates who are passionate about sport, understand the power it has to make a difference and have a strong commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion for the event. You will be part of a team that aims to inspire a new generation of audiences and participants.

About the role

• Responsible for managing the month end closure processes including the posting of all payroll and accrual journals
• Oversee and manage the accounts payable (including LOC staff expense claims) and receivable functions
• Lead the preparation of the LOC monthly financial reports, Board reporting and ad hoc financial reporting
• Responsible for preparing and lodging taxation returns (including monthly BAS, payroll tax and FBT)
• Ensure that all balance sheet items are reconciled on a monthly basis
• Responsible for managing the day to day relationships with the LOC’s bank
• Ensure financial compliance with statutory legislation, taxation obligations,  superannuation and other accounting standards as well as company policies and procedures
• Lead the year end audit processes with the LOC company auditors to ensure the timely preparation of the LOC audited financial statements
• Oversee the reconciliation of ticketing cash inflows and tickets sold working closely with the Ticketing team
• Build and lead a small local finance team
• Work closely with the World Rugby finance team to
  • manage cash flow and all banking arrangements
  • review and enhance internal control systems, financial policies, and procedures to ensure integrity of accounting data and information, minimise exposure to financial fraud
  • integrate year end audit processes
• Lead on LOC finance systems including structure set up, enhancements and local implementation to improve and streamline accounting processes (when appropriate)
• Support with the post Tournament financial reporting and reconciliations

About you

• You have proven experience in owning day to day financial operations in a face-paced and dynamic environment role within globally recognised major sporting events or equivalent environment
• You are a hands on leader ready to manage the end to end accounting function including accounts payable and receivable while the LOC is still in start-up mode and before building the rest of the accounting team.
• You have a Bachelor's degree with at least 7 years’ industry related experience and are CA/CPA qualified
• You have extensive experience in preparing and lodging taxation returns (including monthly BAS, payroll tax and FBT)
• You have previous exposure to financial inter-companies relationships between head office and its controlled entities
• You have proven experience preparing compliant year-end financial statements and working with company auditors and maintaining accurate records to satisfy all requirements
• You have a demonstrated understanding and exemplary record with legislative and compliance obligations
• You have significant experience using the SAP suite of products
• You are agile, can anticipate needs and are a true team player – you are willing to muck in and support the broader team as we are growing and changing
• You have the flexibility to work irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, depending on event schedules
• You can navigate ambiguity and cut through complexity, taking a logical and creative approach to problem-solving

About us 

World Rugby is the international federation responsible for the global development of Rugby. It’s strategic mission is to accelerate the growth of Rugby, inspiring more people to engage with the sport. Australia’s hosting of Rugby World Cup 2027 and 2029 are at the heart of that mission, representing an exciting growth opportunity for Rugby in Australia, the region, and the global game more broadly.

Rugby World Cup is one of the biggest sporting and entertainment brands in the world and the dual men’s and women’s hosting model creates a transformative opportunity to showcase the very best of Rugby and Australia to an unprecedented global audience.

The 2027 tournament will be a nationwide celebration of the sport, its values and Australia’s cities, culture and people, engaging new audiences and inspiring a new generation of fans and players. In Australia, the tournament is expected to generate $1.3B in direct visitor expenditure across Australia from more than 250,000 international visitors and inject a further $80m into the Australia economy as a result of hosting in 2027 alone.

With women and the heart of World Rugby’s growth mission, Rugby World Cup 2029 represents a transformative opportunity take the sport to the next level. Women’s Rugby is one of the world’s fastest growing sports and the fanbase growing at a faster rate than other sports with 166 million fans globally. The commercial value of women’s Rugby is expected to grow by 10x over the next decade, which is great for Australia.

Hosting both tournaments also presents a fantastic opportunity for Rugby Australia to harness the power of the Rugby World Cup and grow its participation across Australia.

Whilst the LOC has carriage of both the 2027 and 2029 RWC’s, all roles are being recruited on the basis of working to deliver 2027, with a contract end date reflective of the successful conclusion of 2027. All roles within the LOC will be reviewed at the appropriate point in time to determine whether they will be extended to cover 2029 and to suit the needs of the business at that time.

How to apply

Please submit your CV (maximum 3 pages), along with a cover letter detailing your suitability for the role to the APPLY NOW link.

RWC Australia is committed to building a diverse workforce and therefore strongly encourages applications from underrepresented groups. We are committed to equality and inclusion and welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of their background. We strive to be a diverse and inclusive workplace, which reflects the global sport we want to be and where everyone can be themselves and feel they belong.  

Flexible Working

The role offers hybrid working during the initial phases of planning, noting that as the event draws near the role will be required to be full time in the office integrating with the rest of the team. The current planning is based on:

• 2025 – 4 Days in the office (Mon-Thu)
• 2026 & 2027 – Full time in the office