Finance Business Partner

University of Canterbury; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks annual leave

Superannuation up to 6.75%

Flexible working arrangements

Professional development opportunities

On-campus staff discounts

Campus facilities access

Job summary

University of Canterbury is seeking a Finance Business Partner within the Financial Planning & Analysis team in Ōtautahi (Christchurch). The role will advise senior leaders on strategic financial planning, reporting, forecasting and cost optimisation across a large portfolio of projects.

You will bring advanced Excel skills and strong financial analysis capabilities, with experience in budgeting, forecasting and reporting, plus the ability to influence decisions with data-driven insights.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance/accounting with 5+ years in financial analysis and reporting.
• Proficient in Excel; Power BI dashboards/reports preferred but not required.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting and financial modelling.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert financial advice, analysis, and insights to Senior Leaders, supporting informed decision-making and alignment with strategic objectives.
• Support and guide budget managers in preparing, monitoring, and understanding budgets, ensuring financial performance aligns with university targets.
• Identify and assess financial and operational risks, providing recommendations and ensuring mitigation strategies are in place.
• Provide financial analysis, reporting, and advice for major investment projects, ensuring sound financial controls and risk management.
• Coach and support budget managers and leaders in financial planning, enhancing financial literacy and decision-making across the portfolio.
• Lead process improvements, contribute to policy development, and support financial service transformation to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Financial analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Budgeting & forecasting

Education

Bachelor's in Finance/Accounting

Tools

Power BI

Job description

Te Ratonga Ahumoni | Financial Services

Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand

• Permanent position, 37.5 hours per week
• 5 weeks annual leave +5 days university holidays
• Professional development opportunities
• Generous employer contribution to superannuation (up to 6.75%)

Kia hiwa rā, kia hiwa rā! He hiahia, he pūkenga nōu ki te mahi a te Finance Business Partner? Nāia te pōwhiri nā Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha kia tono mai i te tūranga nei.

What You Will Do

As a Finance Business Partner within the Financial Planning & Analysis team, you will be a trusted key financial advisor for Senior Leaders within your portfolio, assisting them with strategic financial planning through the provision of robust and accurate financial reporting, analysis, and advice. You will partner with stakeholders to provide financial reporting, modelling, forecasting and analysis and add value to business performance. You will work to ensure the accuracy of financial information, compliance with policy, and collaborate with stakeholders to optimise costs around differentiated opportunities, and balance growth with returns to achieve long-term value.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert financial advice, analysis, and insights to Senior Leaders, supporting informed decision-making and alignment with strategic objectives.
• Support and guide budget managers in preparing, monitoring, and understanding budgets, ensuring financial performance aligns with university targets.
• Identify and assess financial and operational risks, providing recommendations and ensuring appropriate mitigation strategies are in place.
• Provide financial analysis, reporting, and advice for major investment projects, ensuring sound financial controls and risk management.
• Coach and support budget managers and leaders in financial planning, enhancing financial literacy and decision-making across the portfolio.
• Lead process improvements, contribute to policy development, and support financial service transformation to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

Who You Are

To be successful within this role, you will hold a bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline, including financial management or accounting, with a minimum of five years' experience in financial analysis and reporting associated with a large, complex portfolio of projects. You will understand project management frameworks and methodologies and the contribution of financial analysis to these. You will enjoy engaging with a diverse range of people, and your highly developed communication skills will mean you are comfortable offering financial advice based on accurate and data-driven decision-making. You will hold a strong interest in higher education and will understand the value in contributing to student success. A deep knowledge and understanding of Finance, Budgeting, Forecasting and Reporting activities is critical. Advanced Excel skills are required and proficiency in the design, development and implementation of Power BI dashboards/reports is preferred but not required.

Who You Will Work With

Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury are proud to offer the foundation of an excellent education and holistic learning experience, while ensuring our students are prepared to succeed and make a positive difference in the world around them. The University is situated on a beautiful campus located in Ilam, Christchurch. We are committed to achieving and maintaining a community that encompasses sustainability, inclusivity, innovation and collaboration resulting in an inspirational environment. Financial Services provide a professional financial service to our stakeholders including staff, students, our suppliers, and other members of our community. For more information about our team, please visit us at Financial services

Why UC

• 5 weeks annual leave +5 days university holidays
• generous employer contribution to superannuation (up to 6.75%)
• flexible working arrangements
• professional development opportunities
• supportive working environment
• a wide range of retail discounts across shopping, entertainment and travel
• on-campus staff discounts
• living in revitalised Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand
• a unique working environment in a beautiful campus with access to UC facilities such as UC RecCentre and Staff Club at discounted rates, plus onsite cafés and eateries, and more.

For more information on our benefits, please visit: https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/about-uc/work-at-uc/benefits-working-uc

For more information about Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury, please visit https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/

The closing date for this position is: 12 October 2026 (midnight, NZ time)

You must have Aotearoa New Zealand or Australian citizenship/permanent residency to be considered for this role.

Please note, this is an onsite position.