Christchurch City Council Looking for Head of Finance at Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand Full Time

The Christchurch City Council, the second-largest employer in the South Island, is home to a dedicated and passionate team committed to serving our thriving city and its diverse communities.

Our mission is to deliver a broad range of services that ensures Ōtautahi Christchurch remains vibrant, liveable, sustainable, inclusive and ready for the future.

We are seeking a dynamic leader who strives for excellence, is excited by strategic development and continuous improvement and can work collaboratively across a large organisation – help shape and lead the future of Council’s finance function as our new Head of Finance.

About the role | Ko te mahi nei

Reporting to the GM Finance, Risk and Performance/CFO, you have an exciting opportunity to lead a large team of high performing finance professionals, manage diverse stakeholder needs, and collaborate to drive organisational excellence as part of a broader management team.

This role is critical to providing first class advice and reporting to Council’s Governance and Executive Leadership Team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire a team of high performing finance professionals
• Financial Leadership – oversee the execution of Council’s financial strategy
• Partner with senior leaders across Council to support strategic initiatives
• Provide financial analysis to service units across Council
• Support Council to manage its Treasury function and associated risks through appropriate use of financial instruments
• Oversee the delivery of the Annual Report and external audit
• Deliver operational excellence by continuously improving financial systems, processes and reporting capabilities

About you | Ko Koe Tēnei

• A Chartered Accountant with outstanding leadership capability and exemplary professional standards
• An ability to communicate complex accounting and finance concepts across a wide range of audiences
• A public service ethic and ability to champion change and drive continuous improvement
• A commitment to sustainability partnered with working collaboratively is what will set you apart as a leader
• Whilst experience in Local Government would be seen as an advantage, a commitment to understanding and prioritising the needs of our community is essential

What’s in it for you? He aha ngā hua ki a koe?

Working For The Christchurch City Council Allows You To Contribute Directly To The Community And Make a Positive Impact On The Lives Of Residents And Visitors. You Will Also Benefit From

• Access to training programmes, workshops, and development opportunities
• Collaboration – exposure to wider areas of the organisation
• Benefits – a variety of benefits for Council staff from health schemes to retail discounts and options to purchase extra leave

Through collaboration, innovation, and a strong commitment to community, the council provides an environment where one’s skills and passions can shine, making it an exceptional choice for those seeking purpose and impact in their career.

Additional Information | Ko ētahi atu kōrero:

At the Christchurch City Council, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways.

If you have any questions, please reach out to us at [email protected]

Hours of work – Fulltime Permanent Position

Location – This position is primarily based at 53 Hereford Street, Christchurch

Closing Date – 30th April 2025

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place prior to the close date. This means we reserve the right to close a job ad before the advertised close date.