Principal Advisor, Investment Management

Ministry of Education; Wellington; On-site; NZD 119,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Ministry of Education – Wellington, North Island, is seeking a Principal Advisor, Investment Management, to lead strategic financial planning and investment advice across the organisation.

You will partner with the CFO and leaders to shape funding decisions, manage risks, and deliver insights from financial modelling and scenario analysis that maximise the value of investments and sustain long-term financial health.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in strategic finance, investment planning, or financial management.
• Strong commercial acumen and strategic thinking.
• Advanced financial modelling and analytical skills.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and build trusted relationships.
• Experience working in large, complex organisations.
• A relevant qualification in Finance, Commerce, Economics, Business, or a related discipline.
• The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

Responsibilities

• Support strategic investment planning and capital prioritisation.
• Develop long-term financial outlooks and funding scenarios.
• Provide advice on investment decisions, funding pressures, and financial risks.
• Deliver insights and recommendations to senior leaders, the CFO, and Leadership Team.
• Partner across the organisation to strengthen investment decision-making and financial performance.
• Champion best-practice financial management and continuous improvement.

Skills

Strategic finance

Financial modelling

Stakeholder influence

Complex organisations

Public sector standards

Education

Finance/Commerce/Economics degree

Tools

Advanced Excel

Financial software

Job description

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Ministry of Education – Wellington, North Island

Help shape the future of education in New Zealand

Help shape the future of Education

We work toshapeaneducationsystem that deliversequitableandexcellent outcomes

Our organisation is made up of talented and committed people around Aotearoa, from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. While we work in different groups and on different things, we all strive every day to make the biggest difference we can for our students in our education system.

This is a full-time permanent position based in Wellington.

This is an opportunity to shape significant investment decisions, influence the Ministry's long-term financial future, and contribute to better outcomes for learners across Aotearoa.

Bring your strategic finance expertise to the centre of decision-making and help guide the investments, priorities, and funding choices that support better outcomes for learners across New Zealand.

As Principal Advisor, Investment Management, you'll work closely with the CFO, Finance leaders and business groups across the Ministry to lead strategic financial planning and investment advice. You'll bring together financial insights, investment priorities and organisational planning to support funding decisions, manage financial risks and help ensure the Ministry remains financially sustainable over the long term.

Using financial modelling and scenario analysis, you'll provide clear advice on funding pressures, investment opportunities and future priorities. This is a highly influential role where you'll partner with senior leaders across the organisation, delivering the insights and recommendations needed to support strategic decision-making and maximise the value of the Ministry's investments.

• Support strategic investment planning and capital prioritisation.
• Develop long-term financial outlooks and funding scenarios.
• Provide advice on investment decisions, funding pressures, and financial risks.
• Deliver insights and recommendations to senior leaders, the CFO, and Leadership Team.
• Partner across the organisation to strengthen investment decision-making and financial performance.
• Champion best-practice financial management and continuous improvement.

Salary range: $119,171 - $144,560 per annum + KiwiSaver. The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects individual skills and experience.

For more details about the role, you can view the Job Description here Principal Advisor Investment Management

About you | Mōhou ake

We're looking for a strategic finance professional who enjoys solving complex problems and turning data into clear, actionable advice. You'll be comfortable working with senior stakeholders, challenging thinking constructively and building trusted relationships across a large and complex organisation.

You will have experience developing long-term financial plans, investment strategies or funding advice, along with strong financial modelling and analytical skills. You'll be able to see the bigger picture while maintaining attention to detail, and you'll bring sound judgement when balancing competing priorities, risks and opportunities.

You will also offer:

• Significant experience in strategic finance, investment planning, or financial management.
• Strong commercial acumen and strategic thinking.
• Advanced financial modelling and analytical skills.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and build trusted relationships.
• Experience working in large, complex organisations.
• A relevant qualification in Finance, Commerce, Economics, Business, or a related discipline.
• The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

You'll join a supportive and experienced team that values collaboration, continuous improvement and professional growth. You'll have the opportunity to work closely with senior leaders and influence some of the Ministry's most significant investment and financial planning decisions.

Te Pou Rangatōpū | Corporate group is responsible for delivering essential Ministry-wide statutory and corporate functions. We enable the organisation to operate effectively and help fulfil the statutory and reporting obligations of Te Tāhuhu.

The Finance division is responsible for supporting decision-makers in the organisation by giving best practice finance advice and services. Finance delivers through business partnering, budget management, financial stewardship, appropriations management, forecasting, capital project and accounting, ensuring good practice financial controls and compliance, reporting and supporting the ongoing sustainability of the Ministry.

The Finance division supports investment decisions, improving the Ministry’s impact, prioritisation and optimisation to ensure the organisation is fulfilling its role within the education system.

If this opportunity interests you, please submit your cover letter and resume by using the ‘apply' button. In your cover letter we’d like to know about you, your values, or anything else you’d like to share. We’re keen to understand your motivations, strengths, transferable skills, and the diverse perspectives you will bring to the role.

For further information, please contact Tony De Gregorio, Manager Strategic Finance at ***************@education.govt.nz

We want our people to feel valued for their unique qualities and have a sense of belonging. If you require assistance or adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.

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