Capability Manager, Finance

JacksonStone & Partners; Wellington; On-site; NZD 150,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life insurance

Critical illness protection

Will services

Savings schemes

Job summary

NZDF Finance seeks experienced, strategic finance business partners who can lead a team and strengthen financial capability and assurance. As a Capability Manager you will report to the Director Financial Service Delivery and oversee integrated financial management across a Service, Joint Forces or Enabling Portfolio.

You will embed finance in day-to-day decision-making, enabling Defence executives and managers to make value-for-money decisions for current operations and long-term capability.

Qualifications

• Proven senior financial management experience (7+ years) in complex operational government or commercial environments.
• A professional accounting qualification equivalent to Chartered Accountant (CA).
• Depth of expertise in strategic business partnering, financial planning and analysis, financial governance and investment decision‑making.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of management accountants and analysts embedded in the portfolio.
• Ensure delivery of quality financial planning, reporting, analysis and advice to cost centre managers.
• Provide financial advice across the capability investment lifecycle from concept to business case and acquisition.
• Ensure robust whole‑of‑life costing, investment analysis, and financial modelling for decision‑making and governance.
• Act as a trusted adviser to Defence executives and investment committees.
• Drive consistency, quality, and continuous improvement in financial service delivery within the portfolio.
• Collaborate with Enterprise Finance and Financial Control to enable integrated reporting and enterprise strategy.

Skills

Senior finance management

CA qualification

Strategic business partnering

Financial planning & analysis

Financial governance & investment

Public sector understanding

Leadership

Executive communication

Education

CA qualification

Job description

• Pivotal finance management role – two opportunities available
• Deliver integrated strategic financial planning and analysis services
• Lead and develop team capability

• Pivotal finance management role – two opportunities available
• Deliver integrated strategic financial planning and analysis services
• Lead and develop team capability

Working alongside professional like-minded people, you will lead a team and strengthen financial capability within NZDF

Mŋ te tūnga | About the role

NZDF Finance are seeking experienced, strategic finance business partners who can lead a team and strengthen financial capability and assurance. As a Capability Manager you will report directly to the Director Financial Service Delivery and play a pivotal role in ensuring the delivery of integrated, strategic, and operational financial management within a Service, Joint Forces or an Enabling Portfolio.

The Capability Manager works closely with the business across the full lifecycle of capability and operations, embedding finance in day‑to‑day decision‑making. This enables Defence executive, commanders and senior management to make informed, value‑for‑money decisions that support current operations and long‑term capability.

In this role you will:

• Lead and develop a team of high performing management accountants and analysts embedded in the portfolio.
• Ensure the delivery of quality financial planning, reporting, analysis and advice to cost centre managers.
• Provide financial advice across the capability investment lifecycle, from concept, business case and acquisition.
• Ensure robust whole‑of‑life costing, investment analysis, and financial modelling is completed to inform decision‑making and governance.
• Act as a trusted adviser to the Defence executive, commanders and managers and investment committees.
• Drive consistency, quality, and continuous improvement to a mature financial service delivery and practice within the portfolio.
• Collaborate closely with Enterprise Finance and Financial Control teams to enable integrated reporting and enterprise strategy into front‑line delivery.

Ngā pūkenga me āŋbā wheako | Skills and Experience

You will bring:

• Proven senior financial management experience (7+ years) gained in complex operational government or commercial environments, with the ability to navigate complexity.
• A professional accounting qualification equivalent to Chartered Accountant (CA).
• A depth of expertise in strategic business partnering, financial planning and analysis, financial governance and investment decision‑making.
• Ideally a sound understanding of the public sector environment and relevant legislative and government frameworks.
• Proven experience developing and leading high‑performing teams and building team capability.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence at executive and governance level and translate complex financial information for non‑financial audiences.
• A collaborative leadership style, with a focus on continuous improvement and building trusted relationships across the organisation.

Nŋŋ te rourou | What's in it for you

Safeguard your loved ones with a fully funded life cover of up to $300,000 and critical illness protection. Other benefits include discounted additional insurances, free will services and savings schemes for the Defence community. Get expert financial guidance and mortgage broker services. Find all our benefits and more on the Force 4 Families website.

NZDF champions diversity and inclusivity, valuing every member and fuelling their success. We embrace uniqueness, understanding that diverse teams drive creativity, innovation, and excellence. With an open door to all — irrespective of gender, ethnicity, ability, age, or family dynamics — NZDF offers a flexible, empowering work environment. Join us in shaping a brighter future, where everyone thrives.

To be considered you must be a NZ citizen or NZ Permanent Resident, who has resided continuously in this country for the last 10 years, or in one or more of the following countries for the last 10 years, or since the age of 18: either Australia, Canada, NZ, UK or the USA; and has a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed for security clearance.

APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 9 September 2026

REFERENCE: BH-11757

FURTHER ENQUIRIES: Tracy Szeto 021 442 039 or Kendall Bushby 027 332 7896