<p><strong>1 Context</strong></p> <p>Established in 2001 in a picturesque setting in Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast, Pacific Lutheran College is a leading K-12 learning community that is innovative, dynamic and progressive.&nbsp; Firmly underpinned by the values and traditions of excellence of Lutheran Education in Australia, students have achieved outstanding success in the academic, sporting and cultural dimensions of their lives.&nbsp; Enrichment programs in all three areas have enabled students to explore their potential.</p> <p>Pacific has established a strong academic culture, which promotes thinking, deep understandings and creativity based on the learnings of Harvard’s Teaching for Understanding and Visible Thinking frameworks. The synergy of these programs with the research of positive psychology and Lutheran theology provides for a rich whole of life learning culture.</p> <p>Unique experiences provided through the College’s excellent outdoor education, pastoral care and personal development programs, and the opportunities provided through academic, sporting and cultural learning, support an enriching whole of life education.&nbsp; Active involvement in local and international community service projects broaden young people’s world view and sense of efficacy.</p> <p>Our staff take advantage of flexibility in physical and virtual spaces to support an increasingly personalised approach to learning for our young people.&nbsp; Pacific has a seamless curriculum across Kindergarten to Year 12 with teams of teachers working across the four subgroups of the College.&nbsp; Staff are expected to learn collaboratively to contribute to a whole school approach as they lead learning in the Foundation College (Kindergarten-Year 2), Junior College (Years 3-5), Middle College (Years 6-9) and Senior College (Years 10-12).</p> <p>Salary and related conditions are as per the current Queensland Lutheran Schools’ Single Enterprise Agreement.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>2 Role Description</strong></p> <p>The Payroll and Finance Officer provides support to the Business Office by performing a range of high quality financial and administrative duties ensuring accurate and timely processing of financial transactions, assisting with budget monitoring and supporting compliance with the College’s financial policies and procedures.</p> <p>As a staff member within a Christian school the Payroll and Finance Officer will be expected to support and contribute to the growth of a strong Christian faith learning community through personal example and professional leadership. The Payroll and Finance Officer will be responsible for providing professional and confidential support to the Business Manager and is directly responsible to the Business Manager.</p> <p>As a regular point of contact between the College and parents, staff, students and community members, the Finance Officer is expected to:</p> <p><strong>Strengthening Lutheran Identity</strong></p> <ul> <li>Support the Lutheran ethos of the College. This would include involvement in staff devotions, retreats and other College community activities.</li> <li>Uphold and model Christ-centred values in interactions with staff, students, families, and the wider community</li> </ul> <p><strong>Enhancing Excellence in Teaching and Learning</strong></p> <p>While the Payroll and Finance Officer does not work directly with students, their role supports a high-functioning learning environment by ensuring administrative and financial processes run smoothly. Responsibilities include:</p> <ul> <li>Provide accurate and timely financial and administrative support to the Business Manager, including payroll, accounts payable and receivable, purchase orders, and general office administration.</li> <li>Assist with monitoring departmental budgets, processing orders, and ensuring that resources are available, well-managed, and allocated efficiently.</li> <li>Contribute to ongoing improvements in administrative processes, identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and operational effectiveness across the College.</li> <li>Demonstrate adaptability and openness to learning new tools, systems, and processes to maintain operational excellence.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Engage in Ongoing Improvement and Innovation</strong></p> <ul> <li>Participate in professional development, training, and upskilling relevant to the role to maintain up-to-date knowledge of financial, administrative, and technological practices.</li> <li>Engage in collaborative discussions and reflection with colleagues to identify opportunities for continuous improvement, streamline processes, and enhance operational efficiency.</li> <li>Implement agreed improvements in systems, workflows, or administrative processes in a timely and practical manner, including exploring new tools, AI, and automation where appropriate.</li> <li>Foster a growth mindset, embracing innovation, AI, and automation to enhance administrative efficiency and the overall effectiveness of College operations.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Community Building</strong></p> <p>The Payroll and Finance Officer plays a key role in supporting a positive College community through professional, collaborative, and responsive administrative practices:</p> <ul> <li>Foster positive and professional relationships and communication with staff, parents, and external stakeholders.</li> <li>Accurately process and manage student fee accounts and other financial documentation, responding to inquiries promptly and professionally.</li> <li>Support the Transport Manager with administrative duties, including bus coordination and communication with families</li> <li>Act with integrity and professionalism at all times, adhering to the College Code of Conduct and Staffing Policies.</li> <li>Contribute to a collaborative, flexible, and supportive work environment by assisting colleagues and sharing responsibilities as needed.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Leading Effective Organisation and Management</strong></p> <p>The Payroll and Finance Officer works independently to provide accurate, timely, and professional financial and administrative support, contributing to smooth operations, compliance, and effective communication.:</p> <ul> <li>Manage daily financial processes, including bank reconciliations, invoices, purchase orders, petty cash, and credit card transactions.</li> <li>Coordinate payroll administration, including timesheets, leave forms, expense reimbursements, and compliance requirements such as Blue Cards.</li> <li>Support operational needs through travel bookings, event coordination, stationery and office supply management, and other administrative tasks.</li> <li>Prepare and distribute reports, correspondence, and communications to internal and external stakeholders, ensuring confidentiality and data integrity.</li> <li>Contribute to a positive and safe work environment, supporting colleagues, adhering to workplace health and safety requirements, and maintaining personal wellbeing.</li> <li>Engage with new systems, processes, and automation tools where required, demonstrating a growth mindset and willingness to learn.</li> <li>Provide monthly reports to ‘Friends of Pacific’ and other related organisations.</li> <li>Confidentially manage student, staff and family data in a variety of data bases and software programs as required maintaining data integrity and confidentiality at all times.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Payroll</strong></p> <ul> <li>Maintain accurate payroll databases and ensure timely processing of timesheets, leave forms, and expense reimbursements.</li> <li>Monitor compliance requirements, including Blue Cards, and maintain relevant payroll spreadsheets for reporting and record-keeping.</li> <li>Maintain all spreadsheets relevant to the management of the payroll function.</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>3 Workplace Health and Safety</strong></p> <p>All staff are expected to actively contribute to a safe and healthy workplace. This includes following College policies and procedures, identifying and reporting hazards, and engaging in training and safety initiatives. Staff are encouraged to adopt a proactive and collaborative approach to WHS, continually learning and improving practices to ensure the safety and wellbeing of themselves, colleagues, students, and the wider College community.</p> <ul> <li>Follow all College WHS policies, procedures, and instructions to ensure a safe working environment for yourself, colleagues, and students.</li> <li>Report hazards, incidents, or unsafe conditions promptly to supervisors or the WHS Officer.</li> <li>Participate in risk assessments, training, and safety initiatives as required.</li> <li>Maintain good housekeeping and ensure equipment and workspaces are safe and well-maintained.</li> <li>Comply with all requirements for personal protective equipment and safe work practices.</li> <li>Support the College in the monitoring and continuous improvement of WHS systems.</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>4 Child Safety and Student Protection</strong></p> <p><strong>Commitment to Child Safety</strong></p> <p>Pacific Lutheran College is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children, including those under the care and supervision of the College. The College recognises the importance of, and its responsibility for, ensuring a safe and supportive environment that respects the rights of children and fosters their enrichment and wellbeing. Pacific Lutheran College's approach to creating and maintaining a child-safe environment is guided by the core belief that every child deserves the opportunity to flourish as whole people across our Four Pillars of Learning. Central to this is that students feel and are safe. The College also values the importance of student voice, recognising that empowering young people to express themselves enables them to actively advocate for their needs and participate meaningfully in their learning journey. As employees of Pacific Lutheran College, all staff share the responsibility of upholding our strong commitment to child safety by modelling respectful relationships, acting with integrity, and ensuring that the wellbeing of children remains at the centre of all we do. Applicants and employees must familiarise themselves with Pacific Lutheran College's Child Protection Policy. Pacific Lutheran College has zero tolerance for child abuse in any form.</p> <ul> <li>Act in accordance with the College Child Protection Policy and relevant legislation, ensuring student safety and wellbeing at all times.</li> <li>Maintain confidentiality when handling student, staff, or family information</li> <li>Report any concerns of harm, abuse, or inappropriate behaviour in line with College procedures and legislative requirements</li> <li>Participate in mandatory training and refreshers to remain aware of obligations and processes related to child safety.</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>5 Selection Criteria</strong></p> <p>As a key leader, the successful candidate will demonstrate the capabilities outlined below through their service, influence and contribution to the life and mission of the College. *</p> <p>SC1: Demonstrated capacity to support and contribute to the Christian ethos of the College, including working respectfully within a faith-based educational environment.</p> <p>SC2: Demonstrated professional skills in the provision of financial and administrative services, including end-to-end and manual payroll processing, invoicing, purchasing and reconciliation. This includes strong administrative capability and demonstrated intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including the use of formulas and spreadsheet-based data management and reconciliation. Experience working with Enterprise Bargaining Agreements (EBAs), Awards and Fair Work requirements, or a demonstrated willingness and capacity to learn and apply these industrial instruments, is required. Experience within a school setting will be an advantage.</p> <p>SC3: Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, with the demonstrated ability to build positive relationships and communicate warmly and effectively with staff, parents, students, contractors and external organisations to ensure high-quality service provision. This includes strong verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills.</p> <p>SC4: Demonstrated ability to prioritise and manage competing demands to ensure smooth operations within the role’s area of responsibility, and to contribute to continuous improvement and innovation in the provision of financial services. A commitment to ongoing professional learning is required.</p> <p>SC5: Demonstrated professional attributes including confidence, flexibility, autonomy, teamwork, organisation, time management, innovation and persistence, contributing to a positive and collaborative workplace culture.</p> <p>* <i>In Lutheran Education Queensland, leadership is understood as service and influence rather than position. All staff are regarded as key leaders through the ways they contribute to the life and mission of the College.</i></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>6 Knowledge, Qualifications and Application Process</strong></p> <p>To be considered for this role, you should have:</p> <ul> <li>Previous experience in a finance function; experience in an independent school is highly desirable but not essential.</li> <li>Exceptional attention to detail to ensure data integrity and accuracy.</li> <li>Strong organisational and time management skills.</li> <li>Proficiency in Excel, Microsoft Office, and data management systems.</li> </ul> <p>A minimum of Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping, or equivalent industry experience, is desirable but not essential.</p> <p>Applicants must hold, or be eligible to obtain, a Blue Card and maintain all Suitability to Work with Children requirements, as well as meet other government-mandated requirements for working in schools.</p> <p>Applications to include a cover letter, address the selection criteria and submitted to Mr Ryan Lovell, Business Manager: <a href="mailto:<a href='mailto:admin@pacluth.edu.au?subject=Payroll%20and%20Finance%20Officer%20position%20%28via%20Teachers%20On%20Net%29'>admin@pacluth.edu.au</a>?subject=Payroll%20and%20Finance%20Officer%20position%20%28via%20Teachers%20On%20Net%29" rel="nofollow"></a><a href="mailto:admin@pacluth.edu.au?subject=Payroll%20and%20Finance%20Officer%20position%20%28via%20Teachers%20On%20Net%29">admin@pacluth.edu.au</a> before midday on Wednesday 11th February 2026.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>