Chief Financial Officer at New Zealand Customs Service, Wellington

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Shape strategic decisions and enable organisational performance in a pivotal CFO leadership role.
• Lead financial strategy, enable sustainable growth, and help shape the future of our organisation.
• Bring your strategic, financial, and leadership expertise to a role where insight drives impact.

NZ Customs is seeking an exceptional Chief Financial Officer. This is a permanent, full-time opportunity based in Wellington.

Reporting to the Deputy Chief Executive Enterprise Services, the Chief Financial Officer provides strategic financial leadership to the Chief Executive of Customs, Customs Executive Board, and senior leaders. This is a pivotal role responsible for driving financial sustainability, supporting investment decisions, management of third-party revenue and ensuring Customs is well-positioned to deliver on its strategic priorities.

About this role…

As Chief Financial Officer, you will lead all aspects of Customs' financial management and performance, providing trusted advice that informs major operating, capital investment, funding and revenue decisions. You will also lead the Enterprise Portfolio Management function, ensuring strategic programmes and investments are prioritised, governed, and delivered effectively.

Key Responsibilities…

• Providing strategic financial advice to the Comptroller, Executive Board and senior leaders.
• Leading Customs' finance function and developing financial strategies that support organisational performance.
• Ensuring robust financial governance, reporting, risk management and statutory compliance.
• Overseeing Crown revenue responsibilities and complex third-party funding arrangements.
• Leading enterprise-wide investment planning and portfolio management.
• Building organisational capability through strong leadership, talent development and continuous improvement.

About you…

You will be a highly credible and influential finance executive with a proven track record of leading complex financial operations and shaping strategic outcomes at an organisational level.

To be successful, you'll bring:

• Significant senior financial leadership experience in a large, complex public or commercially focused organisation.
• Strong financial, commercial and strategic acumen.
• Experience working within, or closely alongside, government and ministerial environments.
• Outstanding stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
• Demonstrated success leading high-performing teams through change and transformation.
• Experience managing funding arrangements (including fees and levies), investment portfolios and organisational risk.
• A Chartered Accountant (CA) qualification and membership of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (or equivalent).
• An ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.

Why join Customs?

At Customs, you'll have the opportunity to influence decisions that matter to New Zealand. You'll work alongside talented executive leaders, contribute to nationally significant outcomes, and help ensure Customs remains financially sustainable, investment-ready, and equipped to respond to future challenges and opportunities. You will also be a trusted advisor to the Customs Executive Board.

If you are a strategic and future-focused finance leader who thrives on complexity, collaboration, and delivering results, we'd love to hear from you.

How to apply…

To join Customs, you must be a New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident* and be able to obtain and maintain an appropriate level of security clearance to Secret level. Due to the nature of Customs work you must have a clear Police record.  Successful applicants are also required to pass a drug test.   

(*) A New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident who has resided continuously in New Zealand for the last 10 years and resides in New Zealand at time of application.

OR a New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident who has resided in New Zealand for the last 10 years and resides in New Zealand at time of application but may have been absent from New Zealand for periods of six or less months within the past five years, preferably in one or more of the following countries: either Australia, Canada, United Kingdom or the United States of America. You will be required to provide overseas police certificates for these periods spent outside of New Zealand.

Click on the apply button to submit your application.

To express your interest, please apply on-line by submitting an up-to-date CV and cover letter that demonstrates your suitability and motivation for the role. For further information about this position, please view the position description attached or contact Suzanne Leahy (Senior Corporate Recruitment Advisor) at Suzanne.leahy@customs.govt.nz 

Deadline for applications is 11pm, Wednesday 12 August 2026.

Interviews will be held on 19 and 21 August. Shortlisted candidates will be required to prepare a brief 10-minute presentation as part of the interview process.

We encourage prompt application for this role as we will be shortlisting applications as they are received and may close the role earlier than the above closing date.

New Zealand Customs Service | Te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa is a member of Diversity Works New Zealand and is committed to developing a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace.  We provide equal employment opportunities and welcome applications from everyone who can meet the requirements of the role.