Delivering an Interim Executive appointment to strengthen financial governance and operational maturity for a public youth mental health service in Victoria.
Supporting establishment-to-growth transition, strengthening systems, governance and long term sustainability.
The Brief
Future Leadership was engaged to appoint a Chief Financial Officer for a newly established public youth mental health service in Victoria.
As the organisation transitioned from establishment to operational maturity, it required a senior finance executive to build foundational systems, strengthen governance, and support long-term sustainability. The role had broad oversight across finance, procurement, contracts, facilities, enterprise risk and ICT, while providing strategic advice to the CEO and Board.
Candidate net Promote Score
Future Leadership combines truly personalised relationships with innovative technology solutions to ensure an approachable and efficient process for all our Net Promoter Score across clients, successful candidates and unsuccessful candidates is well above industry standard.
Candidates supported every year
We maintain genuine relationships with past candidates and continue to support them with leadership solutions long term, after they land their role.
We maintain genuine relationships with past candidates and continue to support them with leadership solutions long term, after they land their role.
Over half of the executive search assignments undertaken by our team have resulted in the appointment of outstanding female or LGBTQI+ leaders to high profile roles.
Candidate Retention Rate for 12 months since 2002
Our thorough briefing process and ability to engage passive candidates mean that we go to great lengths to find the right person for the role – long term!
The Process
We partnered closely with the Chief Executive Officer and senior stakeholders to understand the organisation’s financial, operational and governance priorities within a complex public health environment.
A targeted search was conducted across public health, government-funded services and large complex organisations to identify candidates with strong financial leadership, governance expertise and familiarity with health funding models.
The successful appointee brought deep experience in health services, with the ability to operate strategically while building foundational capability in a growing organisation.
Top 5 Capabilities
Governance and Compliance
Strengthened financial governance frameworks and ensured alignment with public sector and health system requirements.
Digital Literacy
Led uplift in ICT and digital enablement to improve reporting, controls and operational effectiveness.
Commercial Acumen
Applied sharp financial strategy to secure emergency funding and implement cost controls, stabilising finances without compromising patient care.
Systems Thinking
Viewed the regional group holistically, understanding interdependencies between hospitals and services to restructure operations for efficiency and sustainability.
Strategy and Purpose
Provided strategic financial advice and modelling to support long-term planning and service integration.
The Outcome
The appointment delivered strong financial leadership and structure during a critical growth phase.
Financial systems, reporting and governance were strengthened, alongside uplift across procurement, contract management and enterprise risk. The CFO also led improvements in ICT and digital enablement, while providing strategic financial modelling to support long-term planning and service integration.
Beyond immediate priorities, the engagement positioned the organisation for sustainable growth, improved financial stewardship, and enhanced delivery of youth mental health services across multiple sites.