Conflicts of Interest & Audit Independence - Senior Manager

PwC New Zealand; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus opportunities

Referral bonuses

Retail discounts & deals

Global network

Leadership development

A.I. tools and training

Formal learning pathways

Wellbeing allowance

Job summary

PwC New Zealand seeks a Senior Manager in Conflicts of Interest & Audit Independence to strengthen objectivity across the firm. You will handle escalated queries, guide independence decisions, and balance risk with PwC’s reputation and obligations.

You will lead risk assessment, advise on sensitive matters, and collaborate with senior stakeholders to deliver practical, compliant outcomes in a complex environment.

Qualifications

• Experience working through complex risk, independence, conflicts, or client facing matters at a senior level.
• Strong analytical ability to assess facts, identify risks and advise on next steps.
• Confidence in advising and challenging senior stakeholders with clear, credible communication.

Responsibilities

• Reviewing and advising on complex conflicts of interest, objectivity and independence matters.
• Analysing facts to support risk-based decision-making and identify key issues.
• Partnering with stakeholders to provide clear guidance on sensitive or high‑risk matters.
• Applying firm policies and professional standards to ensure high‑quality outcomes.
• Contributing to continuous improvement in objectivity, independence and conflicts management.

Skills

Risk management

Conflicts of interest

Independence

Objectivity

Advisory services

Stakeholder management

Critical thinking

Job description

At PwC, our purpose is clear: to build trust in society and solve important problems.

This is a place to keep growing. You’ll learn from the best, take on meaningful challenges, and make a lasting impact for our clients, our communities, and Aotearoa.

At PwC, you’ll be part of a community of solvers working with purpose, trust and fresh thinking to help shape better outcomes for Aotearoa New Zealand.

We’re looking for a Conflicts of Interest & Audit Independence Senior Manager to join our Internal Firm Services team and focus on ensuring objectivity in all the work we do. This high-impact role will strengthen PwC’s risk management, independence and objectivity capability, with a focus on complex conflicts of interest and government client related risk matters.

Working with a wide range of stakeholders, you’ll provide sound judgement, constructive challenge and practical guidance on sensitive and complex matters. You’ll help teams navigate conflicts, independence considerations and wider risks so decisions are made with quality, trust and confidence.

Day to day, you’ll work through escalated objectivity and conflicts queries, support independence-related decision-making, and bring structure and pace to nuanced risk issues. You’ll balance commercial understanding with the need to protect PwC’s independence, reputation and professional obligations. Areas of focus will be:

• Reviewing and advising on complex conflicts of interest, objectivity and independence matters.
• Supporting risk-based decision-making by analysing facts, identifying key issues and considering appropriate next steps.
• Partnering with stakeholders to provide clear guidance on sensitive or high-risk matters.
• Applying firm policies, professional standards and practical judgement to support consistent, high-quality outcomes.
• Helping manage increasing query volume and complexity while maintaining quality, pace and attention to detail.
• Contributing to continuous improvement in how objectivity, independence and conflicts matters are managed across the firm.
• Contributing to the management of government client portfolio risks.

You’ll bring senior-level experience in risk management, conflicts of interest, independence, objectivity, and/or advisory services. Experience in professional services or government environments would be valuable, particularly where you’ve supported complex stakeholder groups or judgement-based decisions.

You don’t need to have followed one specific career path. What matters most is your ability to think critically and laterally, work through ambiguity, apply balanced judgement and provide clear, practical advice and challenge where there may not be a straightforward answer.

• Experience working through complex risk, independence, conflicts, or client facing matters at a senior level.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to assess facts, identify risks and recommend practical next steps.
• Confidence advising and challenging senior stakeholders and influencing outcomes in a clear, credible and constructive way.
• Sound judgement, critical thinking and comfort working through ambiguity, complexity and sensitive matters.
• Ability to work independently, collaborate effectively and draw on expertise where needed.
• A pragmatic, resilient and solutions-focused mindset, with the ability to balance risk, quality, stakeholder needs and professional obligations.
• Rewards - Discretionary bonus opportunities; generous referral bonuses; retail discounts & deals
• Growth - Global network; leadership development; A.I. tools and training; formal learning pathways
• Wellbeing - $250 annual wellbeing allowance; Life & income protection; Sonder/EAP/Headspace; 15 days’ paid sick leave; group-rate health insurance (eligibility applies)
• Reputation - PwC is known for shaping tomorrow. Join us and you’ll accelerate your career while helping clients and communities solve their most important problems.
• Flexibility - Flexible working; supportive coaching culture
• Time off - Two paid recognition days off provided each year during our annual summer shutdown period; purchase up to two extra weeks’ annual leave
• Whānau & community - Paid parental leave for all parents with flexible options and financial planning support; inclusive networks; paid volunteering leave

Motuhake / Independence:

Maintaining independence is fundamental to demonstrating that PwC has not been influenced by any relationships or situations that undermine our objectivity. This role requires an independence review process.

Grow here. Go further.