Finance Partner

Palmerston North City Council; Manawatū-Whanganui; Hybrid; NZD 102,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks annual leave

Hybrid working

Onsite café, staff gym

Job summary

Palmerston North City Council (Palmerston North City Council – Manawatu County) is recruiting for a permanent Finance Partner. The role provides future-focused financial insight and strategic advice to council leaders, linking business groups with Corporate Services.

It is a full-time, 40-hour week with hybrid working. You will analyse performance, prepare cost models and support planning, while building trusted relationships and translating complex data into actionable guidance for

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accountancy or finance.
• Full Chartered Accountant membership with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand or equivalent.
• Experience in management accounting or finance business partnering within a mid-sized finance team.
• Experience working with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse large and complex datasets.
• Experience using an enterprise resource planning system.

Responsibilities

• Providing financial advice, analysis and practical solutions to leaders across Council.
• Analysing financial and operational performance, including key drivers and variances.
• Supporting managers with budgeting, forecasting and future planning.
• Challenging assumptions and providing insight to support sound business decisions.
• Preparing cost models, scenario analysis and performance information.
• Providing financial input into reports for senior leadership and Council.
• Identifying opportunities to improve financial processes and performance.
• Providing technical leadership, training and support across the organisation.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Financial advisory

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accountancy or finance

Chartered Accountant membership

Tools

ERP system

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Palmerston North City Council – Manawatu County

Why join us?

• Make a Difference: Help Council leaders make well-informed decisions that support sustainable performance and positive outcomes for Palmy.
• Professional Growth: Develop your strategic partnering and advisory capability through varied work across the organisation.
• Benefits: We do more than just pay you a salary too. We have awesome benefits to support you including 5 weeks annual leave and hybrid working.

As a Finance Partner, you’ll work alongside leaders across Council to provide future-focused financial insight and strategic advice that supports strong decision-making and organisational performance.

Acting as a key link between our business groups and Corporate Services, you’ll help leaders understand the financial and non-financial drivers of their areas, translate complex information into clear advice, and proactively identify solutions and opportunities for improvement.

Reporting to the Finance Partner Team Leader, you’ll also be an active member of assigned group leadership teams, bringing a financial lens to future planning while keeping Council’s wider strategic direction front of mind.

This is a permanent full-time role, 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday.

Your focus in this role will include:

• Providing financial advice, analysis and practical solutions to leaders across Council
• Analysing financial and operational performance, including key business drivers and variances
• Supporting managers with budgeting, forecasting and future planning
• Challenging assumptions and providing insight to support sound business decisions
• Preparing cost models, scenario analysis and performance information
• Providing financial input into reports for senior leadership and Council
• Identifying opportunities to improve financial processes and performance
• Providing technical leadership, training and support across the organisation

You’ll be a collaborative and strategically minded finance professional who can build trusted relationships and translate complex information into clear, practical advice. You’ll be comfortable constructively challenging assumptions, working autonomously and managing competing priorities within required timeframes.

About you

• A bachelor’s degree in accountancy or finance
• Full Chartered Accountant membership with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, or equivalent
• Experience in management accounting or finance business partnering within a mid-sized finance team
• Experience working with a wide range of stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to analyse large and complex datasets
• Experience using an enterprise resource planning system

Palmerston North (or as we like to call it, Palmy) is a growing, innovative and exciting city. With small city benefits and big city ambition, Palmy has secured its place on the map as a creative and exciting city, with leading innovation and developments! We’re proud to be a city that includes, supports, connects and uses the talents of the whole community in our pursuit to provide a connected and safe community. We’re also a future-focused city who cares about enhancing our natural and built environment. Our future looks bright, it looks vibrant and progressive.

What we offer

• Competitive salary between $101,650 and $119,588, plus a 3.5% Kiwisaver employer contribution (where eligible)
• 5 weeks annual leave and a community service day
• Long service leave after qualifying periods
• Paid parental leave benefits
• Supportive work environment that values work-life balance
• Annual flu vaccinations and subsidised health and eye checks
• Onsite café, staff gym and wellness space
• Study leave, professional memberships, and fees support
• The opportunity to make a real difference in the future of a vibrant, growing city

Applications close: 11.00 pm, Wednesday 9 September 2026

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and welcome applications from all those suitably qualified for this position.