Lead Advisor Financial Evaluation

Auckland Council; Auckland; On-site; NZD 123,000 - 144,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

KiwiSaver

Job summary

Auckland Council is seeking a strategic finance professional to provide independent financial evaluation and high-level advice on major investment proposals. You will influence governance decisions, assess robustness of business cases, and ensure alignment with long-term objectives across infrastructure, transport, and community initiatives.

You'll help shape Auckland's future by delivering rigorous financial analysis, robust investment governance, and credible recommendations to senior leaders

Qualifications

• Extensive experience providing strategic financial advice to senior leaders.
• Expertise in financial analysis, investment evaluation, and capital planning.
• Experience in the public sector, infrastructure, or local government environments.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead independent financial reviews of significant investment and expenditure proposals.
• Provide objective advice and constructive challenge to strengthen decision-making.
• Evaluate business cases, financial analysis, and investment assumptions.
• Assess alignment with Auckland Council's financial strategy and long-term objectives.
• Build relationships across the Council Group to support governance and investment planning.
• Promote best practice financial evaluation and continuous improvement across review processes.

Skills

Strategic finance

Financial analysis

Investment evaluation

Business case assessment

Capital planning

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

Tertiary qualification in finance

CA/CPA/CFA or equivalent

Job description

Provide independent financial evaluation and strategic advice on major investment and expenditure proposals across the Auckland Council Group.

Influence executive and governance decision-making by assessing the quality, robustness, and strategic alignment of complex business cases and investment proposals.

Help shape Auckland's future by supporting investment decisions that impact infrastructure, transport, community facilities, environmental outcomes, and the wellbeing of our communities.

This isn't a traditional finance role. You'll be the trusted expert who provides an independent view on high-value investment proposals across the Auckland Council Group, helping senior leaders and decision-makers navigate complex choices with confidence. You'll bring rigour, sound judgement, and strategic thinking to the evaluation of business cases and investment proposals, ensuring decisions are financially robust, aligned with council priorities, and deliver long-term value.

Working closely with senior leaders, finance teams, and key stakeholders, you'll influence critical decisions and help strengthen the quality of investment planning across the organisation.

In this role, you'll:

• Lead independent financial reviews of significant investment and expenditure proposals.
• Provide objective advice and constructive challenge to strengthen decision-making.
• Evaluate business cases, financial analysis, and investment assumptions.
• Assess alignment with Auckland Council's financial strategy and long-term objectives.
• Build strong relationships across the Council Group to support effective governance and investment planning.
• Promote best practice financial evaluation and continuous improvement across review processes.

This role is full-time fixed term/Secondment until 30 September 2027, working 40 hours per week.

He kōrero mōu: About you

You're a strategic finance professional who enjoys tackling complex challenges and helping organisations make better investment decisions. You'll bring extensive experience providing strategic financial advice to senior leaders, executives, boards, or governance bodies, along with strong expertise in financial analysis, investment evaluation, business case assessment, and capital planning. You are a highly analytical thinker who can distil complex information into clear, practical insights and recommendations, and you're comfortable providing independent advice and constructive challenge when needed.

You'll also be an excellent communicator who enjoys building trusted relationships across a diverse range of stakeholders and influencing decision-making through credibility, sound judgement, and collaboration. Backed by a tertiary qualification in finance, commerce, business, economics, or a related discipline, and a professional qualification such as CA, CPA, CGMA, CFA, or equivalent, you'll have a proven track record in strategic finance, investment evaluation, or financial advisory roles. Experience within the public sector, infrastructure sector, or local government environment, along with an understanding of investment governance and evaluation frameworks, will be highly regarded.

Most importantly, you'll be passionate about delivering better outcomes through robust financial analysis, sound decision-making, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou: What we offer

At Auckland Council, you will join a dynamic, supportive environment where your mahi (work) will directly impact the lives of over 1.7 million Aucklanders. We offer flexible working conditions, a focus on well-being, and a culture of continuous improvement.

We are proud to be recognised for our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We are accredited by GenderTick, a signatory of the Pride Pledge. These commitments reflect our ongoing efforts to create a workplace where all staff feel valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.

Together, we can create a Tāmaki Makaurau we can all be proud of. As part of our organisation, please view a range of benefits .

Salary ranges from $122,783 to $144,450 plus KiwiSaver and benefits.

Find a copy of the position description here

Applications close Thursday, 8 October 2026

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By applying for this role, you consent to Council obtaining a reference from your current employer, including information about any active conduct investigations and current performance management processes, if you are the preferred candidate. Reference checks will only be undertaken at the preferred candidate stage. Any non-active performance or conduct matters may also be discussed with referees as part of the reference checking process.

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Auckland Council is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and we are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application to assist you through the recruitment process.