Principal Economist and Senior Economist at Financial Markets Authority, Wellington

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Wellington or Auckland-based
• Technical roles for economics whizz / econometrician

A great place to work. With great work to do.

Ours is a meaningful and impactful role, as a kaitiaki (caretakers) of the financial services in Aotearoa. We oversee a market that does right by everyone, ensuring better outcomes for all New Zealanders. Our role as a kaitiaki is brought to life by our values: Look to the Horizon, Help the Team Work, Make the Calls, and Open Hearts, Open Minds.

Te Tūranga | The Roles

The Financial Markets Authority (FMA) is the conduct regulator for the financial services sector. Our purpose is clear and ambitious: to foster the fairest financial sector in the world, enabling New Zealanders to save, invest, borrow, and manage risk with confidence.

To grow our Economics and Research team, we’re seeking two highly experienced economists - one at Principal Economist level and one at Senior Economist level. Our team sits within the Chief Executive’s Office, contributing to organisation‑wide strategy and representing the FMA in key external forums.

As Principal Economist, you will provide intellectual leadership of our economic research programme. You will shape and steer a portfolio of high‑quality, innovative economic and behavioural research that deepens our understanding of market functioning and drives better regulatory outcomes. This role goes well beyond delivering analysis - it’s about leading and inspiring a research agenda, guiding complex work across the organisation, and influencing senior decision‑makers within FMA, across government, and in the wider sector.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the development and delivery of a forward‑looking programme of economic and behavioural research on financial market conduct.
• Providing intellectual leadership across FMA, embedding economic thinking and evidence into regulatory design, supervision, policy, and strategy.
• Bringing innovative, practical, evidence‑based insights into the design, delivery, and evaluation of core regulatory interventions.
• Overseeing analytical projects from conception to publication, ensuring outputs are rigorous, influential, and tailored to the right audiences - including industry where appropriate.
• Mentoring and coaching economists and researchers, fostering excellence, curiosity, and analytical capability.
• Communicating complex ideas clearly and persuasively to internal and external stakeholders.
• Engaging with industry, government, and international peers to influence debates and uplift understanding.
• Representing the Economics and Research function in senior internal forums and external engagements.

As Senior Economist, you will utilise your expertise to deliver excellent quality economic analysis and research on important financial conduct topics that support the FMA to better understand the drivers of market, provider, and consumer behaviour.

Key responsibilities include:

• Analysing diverse information sources and methodologies in research projects, such as empirical data, academic findings, and other secondary sources.
• Leading analytical work from design to delivery, taking ownership of research outputs, and ensuring your work reaches the audiences who need it.
• Writing high-quality reports and presentations that effectively capture the insights of your economic analysis and research.
• Communicating the results of economic analysis and research internally, to support a wide variety of FMA colleagues in their work and uplift their understanding of the drivers of market, provider, and consumer behaviour.
• Collaborating with internal stakeholders who will use economic analysis and research findings to inform new policy development, frontline supervision activities, investigations, strategy setting, and external communications.

He kōrero mōu | About you

For either role, you’ll bring deep expertise and credibility as an economist / econometrician or data-driven economic researcher, along with:

• Extensive experience as an economist, with knowledge of financial markets, financial regulation, or related policy environments.
• Strong capability in microeconomics, behavioural economics, or microdata‑driven analysis.
• A track record of designing and leading analytical work – whether individual projects that provide insights for your stakeholders, or complex research programmes that influence the overall direction of your organisation.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to simplify and shape complex insights for regulatory, policy, or industry audiences.
• Proven ability to mentor and coach others, and work collaboratively across diverse teams.
• A tertiary qualification in economics, finance, public policy, research, or related fields (postgraduate preferred but not essential).

You’re not expected to meet 100% of the criteria. At the FMA, a growth mindset is at the heart of our culture. If you have most of what we’re looking for and are excited by the opportunity, we’d love to hear from you.

Ngā painga | What we offer

We offer a comprehensive range of benefits, including:

• 4% KiwiSaver employer contribution
• Health and life insurance cover
• Paid leave over the Christmas period
• The ability to swap public holidays for days that hold personal significance
• Exceptional learning and development opportunities, including technical training and leadership programmes

At the FMA, we’re committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. We also offer a range of wellness and social activities to support wellbeing and help our people connect.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

If this sounds like your next opportunity, please apply today as we’ll be looking at applications as they are received. For more information, refer to the position descriptions attached.

Applications close at 5pm on Wednesday 20 May 2026.

If you require any support with your application, please let us know so you are best placed to complete the process with ease.