Head of Costing & Performance, Digital & Data

New Zealand Government; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 121,000 - 182,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

KiwiSaver

Job summary

The New Zealand Government is seeking a strong people leader to head Costing, Planning and Performance within Te Pou Korero | Digital and Data in Wellington. You will guide a small team to deliver robust cost models and performance insights for digital services.

Based in Wellington (preferred) with other locations considered, you will partner with Finance and Commercial teams to inform investment decisions, budget, forecast and realise value for money across education digital initiatives.

Qualifications

• Proven people leadership experience, including building and motivating high-performing teams.
• Significant experience in financial management, costing or performance roles in complex organisations.
• Experience developing cost-to-serve and financial models, ideally in digital, technology, or data environments.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting and financial planning skills.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and ability to influence senior leaders.
• Knowledge of public sector financial settings (an advantage).
• Ability to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and grow a high-performing team in cost, planning and performance.
• Develop and maintain cost-to-serve models and digital costing frameworks.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting and financial monitoring with clear cost visibility.
• Design and embed planning and performance frameworks and report progress.
• Partner with Finance and Commercial teams on business cases and investments.
• Turn complex financial data into clear advice for senior leaders.
• Oversee a team of approx. five positions.

Skills

People leadership

Financial management

Costing

Budgeting

Forecasting

Planning

Stakeholder engagement

Public sector knowledge

Job description

The New Zealand Government is seeking a strong people leader to head Costing, Planning and Performance within Te Pou Korero | Digital and Data in Wellington. You will guide a small team to deliver robust cost models and performance insights for digital services.

Based in Wellington (preferred) with other locations considered, you will partner with Finance and Commercial teams to inform investment decisions, budget, forecast and realise value for money across education digital initiatives.