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Fintech Executive Search
As one of New Zealand's leading fintech executive search specialists, Robert Walters connects payments businesses, lending platforms, wealthtech and insurtech organisations with senior leaders who can drive growth, innovation and long-term business success.
Fintech executive search for New Zealand's fastest-moving sector
New Zealand's fintech sector is maturing rapidly, with organisations at every stage of growth facing increasing pressure to hire senior leaders who can scale operations, manage complexity and deliver results in a competitive market. Drawing on deep networks across the technology and financial services communities, our fintech executive search specialists partner with payments companies, lending platforms, wealthtech and insurtech businesses, embedded finance providers and B2B financial software organisations to identify senior leaders who can move fast without losing sight of governance, risk or sustainable performance.
As fintech organisations scale, demand is growing for executives who can balance product ambition with operational discipline, navigate New Zealand's evolving regulatory environment and build high-performing teams under pressure. Robert Walters helps connect organisations with CEOs, CTOs, CFOs, CPOs and other senior leaders across technology, product, commercial, finance and risk functions.
Let’s talk
Whether you are making your first senior leadership hire or building out a full executive team, our specialists can help you find the talent your business needs to grow.
Chief Executive Officer
CEO
The CEO is the highest-ranking executive in an organisation, responsible for setting strategic direction, driving performance and representing the business to its board, stakeholders and the market.
Chief Financial Officer
CFO
The CFO oversees the financial health of the organisation, leading financial planning, risk management, reporting and capital strategy to support sustainable growth and commercial decision-making.
Chief Technology Officer
CTO
The CTO leads the organisation's technology strategy, overseeing infrastructure, digital transformation and innovation to drive competitive advantage and operational capability.
Chief Operating Officer
COO
The COO is responsible for the day-to-day operational performance of the business, translating strategy into execution and ensuring the organisation runs efficiently and at scale.
Chief People Officer
CPO
The CPO is responsible for the organisation's people strategy, encompassing talent acquisition, culture, leadership development, employee experience and workforce planning.
Chief Compliance Officer
CCO
The CCO ensures the organisation operates within legal, regulatory and ethical frameworks, managing risk, governance and compliance programs across the business.
Chief Marketing Officer
CMO
The CMO leads brand, marketing and customer strategy, driving growth through market positioning and the development of campaigns that build brand equity, deepen audience connection and deliver measurable commercial results.
Executive assignments delivered for
Our Fintech Executive Recruiters
Neil Munro
Executive Search Associate Director
Auckland, New Zealand
Neil brings more than 20 years’ experience in workforce solutions, underpinned by a strong foundation in business advisory, where ...
Sarah Mowbray
Executive Search Business Director
Wellington , New Zealand
Sarah is a Business Director in the Executive Search team at Robert Walters, specialising in senior leadership and c-suite appoint...
Samantha Stevens
Executive Search Business Director
Auckland, New Zealand
Sam is our national executive search lead specialising in Commercial, Customer, Sales, Marketing, Digital, and Strategy roles. She...
Chrissy Orman
Executive Search Researcher
Wellington, New Zealand
Chrissy is a Researcher in our national Executive Search team, specialising in identifying top-tier talent. She ensures a diverse,...
Our track record
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47
Years of combined executive search experience across our team
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80%
Of clients return to us for their next executive search
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10
Week average time to place an executive leader in a new role
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100%
Of executives we have helped would recommend our services
Our executive insights
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Read MoreWhat our clients say
At Robert Walters, we believe our success comes from the success of our clients and candidates. We're not just recruitment experts; we're partners in crafting your success story.
The team at Robert Walters were great, I had a number of roles to secure from varying parts of the business and in a relatively short time including our CEO. Robert Walters did a fantastic job of understanding who we are, what we are about and conveying this to candidates.
Having that central understanding made it easy to work across various roles and different specialist. The biggest challenge was picking from the shortlist of high calibre candidates that came through.
Investment
Iwi Investment & Consulting
The Robert Walters team worked very closely with us and our project team, providing support every step of the way including assisting with salary benchmarking, position description development and market analysis as well as traditional recruitment services. We value our relationship with Robert Walters, and I have no hesitation recommending them to any company.
Transport & Logistics
Rail Infrastructure
Robert Walters was engaged to manage the executive search for the new CEO of our company. The requirements for the role were challenging, as we are a NFP runs both community sports, elite competitive sports and two major facilities. Robert Walters was able to put together a high-quality shortlist of candidates. The successful candidate brought international sports administration experience and has been a good cultural fit for the organisation. We would recommend Robert Walters without qualification.
Sports & Recreation
Sporting Association
I wish to express my sincere gratitude for the exceptional recruiting services provided by the team at Robert Walters. Their professional and personalised approach played a pivotal role in my successful placement as a Chief Information and Digital Officer (CIDO).
The team's proactive communication, transparent feedback, and commitment to aligning my career goals with the CIDO role were truly impressive. Their efforts not only ensured a smooth onboarding process but also facilitated my seamless integration into the company.
I extend my thanks to the entire Robert Walters team for their vital support. Please convey this appreciation to the team as a testament to their commitment to excellence.
Transport & Logistics
Rail Transport
As Growing Future Farmers transitions from a successful start-up into a more mature and scalable organisation, we recognised the importance of strengthening both our leadership and governance capability. The team took the time to understand not only our operational needs, but also our purpose and the unique role we play in developing future talent for New Zealand's food and fibre sector.
They understood that organisations like ours require leaders who can balance commercial discipline with a genuine commitment to impact. The quality of candidates presented, and the appointments made have positioned us strongly for our next stage of growth.
Wendy Paul
Growing Future Farmers
CEO
The team at Robert Walters were instrumental in the search, selection and shortlisting of candidates for board and subcommittee positions. Their extensive networks yielded perfect matches as well as non-traditional options which supported the diversity targets.
Sports & Recreation
National Sporting Association
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Our Executive Search team
Robert Walters Executive Search is New Zealand's specialist partner for C-suite, senior leadership and board appointments. We connect New Zealand's most influential organisations with the exceptional leaders they need to grow, transform and lead, drawing on over 25 years of local presence and the reach of one of the world's most trusted talent solutions partner.FAQs
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What is fintech executive search?
Fintech executive search is a specialist recruitment service focused on identifying and placing senior leaders within fintech organisations. It goes beyond standard recruitment by drawing on active candidate networks, deep sector knowledge and a structured search process to find executives who are the right fit for the specific stage, culture and ambitions of a fintech business. -
What are the benefits of partnering with a fintech executive search firm?
Access to top talent: Fintech executive search firms maintain relationships with senior leaders who are not actively looking for roles, giving you access to a wider and stronger candidate pool than standard recruitment can reach.
Sector expertise: Our specialists understand how fintech businesses operate at different stages of growth, ensuring candidates are assessed on the leadership qualities that actually matter in a fast-moving, technology-led environment.
Streamlined recruitment: We handle candidate research, outreach, assessment and shortlisting, saving your organisation significant time at a critical point in your growth.
Strategic advantage: Securing the right senior leader ahead of your next phase of growth gives your business a meaningful competitive edge. A specialist search firm helps you move with both speed and confidence.
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What is the difference between hiring fintech executives in Auckland and Wellington?
Auckland is the centre of New Zealand's fintech market, home to the majority of payments businesses, lending platforms and digital finance organisations. Executive hiring in Auckland tends to focus on growth, product leadership, commercial performance and technology delivery.
Wellington's fintech market is smaller but closely connected to government, regulation and policy environments, creating stronger demand for leaders with expertise in compliance, governance and stakeholder management. A tailored approach to each market is important when hiring at the senior level.
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What are the current executive hiring trends in New Zealand's fintech sector?
Demand for experienced senior leaders across New Zealand's fintech sector remains strong as organisations continue to invest in product development, customer experience, regulatory compliance and operational scale.
Fintech executive search is increasingly focused on leaders who can balance growth ambitions with the discipline required to build sustainable, well-governed businesses. There is growing demand for executives with experience in AI-driven product development, embedded finance and cross-border market expansion, as well as leaders who can manage the increasing expectations of investors, partners and regulators as the sector matures.