Chief Financial Officer

Waikato Regional Council – Te Kaunihera ā-Rohe o Waikato works to protect te taiao (the environment) and support the wellbeing of communities across the Waikato region.

Guided by the vision “Caring for our place, empowering our people,” the council manages wai (water), whenua (land), biodiversity, public transport, and climate resilience. It partners with iwi Māori and local communities to make decisions that reflect kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and sustainable development for future generations, he waka eke noa, we’re all in this together.

About the Role - Mō te tūnga:

Waikato Regional Council is seeking a strategic and experienced Chief Financial Officer to lead its financial operations and help shape the future of the region. This newly shaped role is an exciting opportunity to strengthen financial stewardship, enhance organisational performance, and grow a capable and collaborative finance team within a progressive public sector environment.

The CFO will oversee all aspects of financial management including budgeting, forecasting, treasury, rating processes, and legislative compliance. They will lead the preparation of key statutory planning documents such as the Long Term Plan, Annual Plan and Annual Report, while ensuring strong risk management practices are in place.

Working closely with senior leaders and elected members, the CFO will provide expert financial advice aligned with the organisation’s strategic direction. A strong focus will be placed on building collaboration across teams and creating an environment where staff can thrive and deliver high quality outcomes for the Waikato region.

What You Bring – Āu pūkenga:

• Extensive experience (10+ years) in senior financial roles, ideally within New Zealand’s public sector or local government.
• Chartered Accountant status (CAANZ or equivalent).
• Proven ability to navigate complex challenges while fostering innovation, collaboration, and accountability.
• Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated success in managing performance and developing talent within teams.
• Excellent communication skills with political awareness and experience working in multi-disciplinary environments.
• A track record of developing long-term financial strategies that balance current needs with future ambitions.

If this role feels like the right fit for you, we’d love to hear from you - apply today or get in touch with us for a confidential chat.

Check out our candidate briefing pack for further information: https://www.robertwalters.co.nz/content/dam/robert-walters-redesign/country/new-zealand/files/misc/CFO-WRC-Candidate-Briefing-Pack..pdf

Robert Walters endeavours to review all applications in a maximum of five working days. If you have not received correspondence in this timeframe please do not hesitate to contact Sarah Mowbray on +64 4 471 9723.