Finance Business Partner

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Finance Business Partner to join a highly respected public sector organisation based in Central Wellington. This role offers you the chance to make a meaningful difference by providing insightful financial advice and support to senior leadership teams, directly influencing the strategic direction and operational success of key business portfolios.

Key Responsibilities:

Your responsibilities will see you collaborating closely with tier 2 and 3 leaders to deliver robust financial insights that inform critical decisions. You will be instrumental in driving budgeting processes, analysing historical trends alongside future projections, validating business cases for new initiatives, and ensuring compliance with statutory frameworks. By fostering strong stakeholder relationships across multiple teams and acting as a champion for customer-focused service delivery within finance, you will help create an environment where sound financial management underpins every aspect of organisational success.

• Act as a key business partner and coach to assigned portfolio leadership teams, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and successful delivery of business initiatives.
• Deliver timely, accurate, and forward-looking financial information and business support to enable effective management oversight, decision-making, and risk mitigation.
• Identify and escalate issues and risks related to budgets and forecasts promptly to ensure proactive management within the finance function.
• Integrate financial and non-financial data so managers can fully understand the implications of their decisions on both their own performance and that of the wider organisation.
• Consult with stakeholders to guide portfolio thinking, offering strategic options that maximise value from available resources while adhering to financial parameters.
• Support the implementation of budgeting and forecasting processes, ensuring financial plans are strategy-led, accurate, timely, and aligned with broader business objectives.
• Contribute actively to the development or validation of business cases by ensuring benefits are achievable, resourcing is realistic, and governance requirements are met.
• Provide expert support for Official Information Act requests and other official queries as required by the portfolio or finance leadership.
• Champion customer service excellence across the finance group by embedding continuous improvement practices and supporting change initiatives related to finance activities.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders including leadership teams, finance colleagues, investment management teams, and relevant external agencies.

Key Experience Required:

• Qualified Chartered Accountant (CA ANZ or equivalent) with at least three years’ post-membership experience in a large government or similarly complex organisation.
• Comprehensive understanding of relevant standards such as Public Finance Act, PBE IPSAS, Treasury Instructions, guidelines, policies, systems, and processes applicable in the public sector context.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships at all levels through excellent interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.
• Proven quantitative and qualitative analytical skills incorporating problem-solving abilities along with clear written and verbal communication skills for presenting complex information succinctly.
• Experience in developing strategies that align financial resource requirements with organisational objectives while supporting business case development for new initiatives.
• High level of computer literacy including proficiency in Excel, Word, PowerPoint; familiarity with Power BI is advantageous for reporting purposes.
• Track record of contributing positively to change initiatives within finance functions or broader organisational transformation programmes.
• Commitment to upholding high ethical standards while modelling professionalism in all interactions internally and externally.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team-oriented environment where knowledge sharing is encouraged for collective success.
• Growth mindset focused on continuous improvement in customer service delivery within finance.

Reach out to Luke Gilbert on 021 084 85188 or luke.gilbert@robertwalters.co.nz for more information or a confidential chat.