Sarah Taylor

FCPA, AICD, MBA, Executive Director and CFO

Greater Adelaide Area

About

Working with and developing high performing teams is my passion. I am an experienced leader who thrives in a dynamic, cooperative and constructive environment. I am bubbly, approachable, honest, and fiercely determined, skills, which have enabled me to build amazing relationships with others throughout my career. Working to remove barriers that inhibit workflow ensures the success of my team and the organisation as a whole. Process improvement and innovation drive me. I am an accomplished executive with a proven track record of leadership across Non-Profit Organisations, Local and State Government, and Higher Education. I bring strategic expertise in operations management, business transformation, financial stewardship, and organisational effectiveness. Skilled in executive decision-making, strategic planning, business partnering, and enterprise-wide financial and operational oversight, I have successfully led high-performing teams across Finance, Procurement, Business Management, Human Resources, Marketing, Information Technology and Executive Education and Payroll. With experience managing complex organisations and budgets ranging from $40M to $800M, I strive to deliver operational excellence, efficiency, and sustainable growth. I flourish in an environment that embraces change, upholds integrity, and encourages collaborative, cohesive interactions where teams feel safe to constructively challenge ideas to stretch thinking and achieve better outcomes. I am passionate about working with others to support them to realise their potential. This is a demonstrated strength of mine, illustrated in my professional practice and is a great source of pride for me.

Experience

  • Executive Director and CFO at Department for Correctional Services
    Feb 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 6 mos

  • Flinders University (5 yrs 2 mos)
    • Director of College Services - Business, Government and Law
      Apr 2021 - Feb 2024 · 2 yrs 11 mos

    • Finance Manager Portfolios
      Jan 2019 - May 2021 · 2 yrs 5 mos

  • Director Board Of Directors at Community Support Incorporated
    Jun 2020 - Jan 2023 · 2 yrs 8 mos

  • Director Finance and Procurement at City of Unley
    Oct 2017 - Dec 2018 · 1 yr 3 mos

    As Director Finance and Procurement, I am responsible for the effective leadership and management of the Finance, Rates, Procurement and Payroll areas. My role is responsible for the provision of accurate and reliable information that aids in the management of the financial health of the organisations, meets compliance and organisational requirements and facilitates strategic decision-making.

  • Manager Business Services at Flinders University
    Aug 2015 - Oct 2017 · 2 yrs 3 mos

    As Manager Business Services I was responsible for providing the Faculty with high level strategic planning and business advice. I prepared reports and analysis that enabled informed decision-making to aid in the achievement of strategic goals. I led the Business Services Unit and had responsibility for financial reporting, budgeting, human resource management, contract review and other resources management.