Manager Financial Operations at Maritime New Zealand, Wellington

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

 Mō mātou | About Us

 Our Vision: Preventing Harm. Saving Lives. Securing our Future

We play a key role in the guardianship of New Zealand waterways. We’re bringing together our aroha, work and skills to achieve our outcomes of sustainable supply chains and sectors, safe people and operations, secure ports and ships, and clean seas and waterways.

Our values are about who we are as individuals and the behaviours we expect from each other at Maritime NZ.

Care | Kia Tika - We care for each other and do the right thing

Connect | Kotahitanga - We unite in a common purpose

Courage | Kia Māia - We are brave, capable and confident 

Mō tō mātou Rōpū - About the team

The Digital, Data and Finance Group brings together financial stewardship, digital capability and data insight to support how Maritime NZ plans, prioritises and delivers strong regulatory performance.

Within this, the Financial Operations team provides the essential financial services, controls and insights that support organisational decision-making, regulatory delivery and long-term sustainability, while driving continuous improvement and modern ways of working.

Te tūnga | The role 

This is a fixed-term opportunity covering parental leave, offering the chance to lead a critical finance function and make a meaningful impact during a period of organisational transformation. As Manager Financial Operations, you'll lead the team responsible for Maritime New Zealand’s core financial operations and financial stewardship. Reporting to the Chief Digital, Data and Finance Officer, you'll provide leadership across financial reporting, taxation, treasury, banking, insurance, compliance, audit and financial controls, while partnering with senior leaders to strengthen governance, drive continuous improvement and support informed organisational decision-making

Key areas of responsibility include:

• Leading and developing the Finance Operations team
• Overseeing financial operations, accounts payable and receivable, banking and cost recovery activities
• Managing taxation, treasury and insurance programmes
• Leading financial compliance and audit activities
• Delivering annual statutory reporting and executive financial reporting
• Strengthening financial controls, assurance and risk management practices
• Driving process improvement, automation and the effective use of digital technologies and AI within financial operations
• Building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Nōu te rourou | What you bring

We're looking for an experienced and people-focused finance leader who combines strong technical expertise with a proven ability to drive operational efficiencies, optimise financial processes, and deliver continuous improvement through effective use of finance systems and strategic partnerships.

To be successful in this role, you'll ideally bring:

• Chartered Accountant (CA) qualification or equivalent
• At least five years' post-qualification experience
• Significant experience leading finance operations, financial reporting and compliance functions
• Strong understanding of taxation, treasury, financial controls, audit requirements and financial governance frameworks.
• Proven success leading and developing high-performing teams while driving accountability, customer focus, and continuous improvement.
• Proven experience identifying and implementing efficiencies through process optimisation, automation, and the effective use of finance systems
• Strong finance systems expertise, including the ability to maximise system capability to improve reporting, controls, data quality, and operational effectiveness
• Experience partnering with Strategic Finance to align operational finance activities with organisational objectives and support informed decision-making
• Advanced Excel capability
• Strong stakeholder management, influencing, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively across a wide range of business groups
• Sound judgement and the ability to make effective risk-based decisions
• Experience working in complex organisational environments where collaboration and continuous improvement are critical.

 Mōu | For you 

We aim to be a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported with a sense of belonging. We encourage our people to actively contribute to our workplace culture where we all thrive and authentically live our MNZ values.

Upon joining us you’ll receive a full range of benefits including Income Protection & Life Insurance. Check out our full range on our careers page to find out more about why we love working here.  

Salary range $140,000 - $187,000 depending on skills and experience + superannuation. 

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

We are unable to accept applications via email. Please click the apply button to submit your application.

We're committed to ensuring our application process is accessible to everyone. Please reach out to our recruitment team below if there is any support we can provide to ensure the process is accessible to you.

Applications for this role close midnight Sunday 18 October. Please also note that you must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand to be considered for this role.

If you have any questions please e-mail careers@maritimenz.govt.nz