Principal Finance Business Partner

Beyond Recruitment; Wellington; On-site; NZD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent recruiting agency is seeking a Principal Finance Business Partner in Wellington to lead financial strategy within a major government department. This senior role focuses on providing trusted advice, driving performance uplift, and mentoring a high-performing team. Ideal candidates will possess deep experience in large organizations, excellent communication skills, and relevant qualifications. Join a team that values innovation and inclusion to shape the financial future of vital public services.

Qualifications

• Experience in large, complex environments, ideally in government or public sector.
• Ability to lead through influence across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Commitment to public service values.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial strategy and long-term planning across business groups.
• Deliver monthly dashboards and strategic papers to senior leadership.
• Support appropriations and investment decisions.

Skills

Strategic financial insight

People leadership

Analytical capability

Exceptional communication skills

Collaboration

Education

CAANZ (or equivalent) qualification

Relevant tertiary degree

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Principal Finance Business Partner

Contract Type: Permanent

Location: Wellington

Specialisation: Accounting, Finance & Financial Services

REF: 130866

Contact Details: Peter Sewell

Contact Email: [e-mail]

Job Published: 1 day ago

We’re partnering with a major government department to appoint a Principal Finance Business Partner. This is a senior leadership role that blends strategic financial insight, people leadership, and sector-wide influence. This is a rare opportunity to shape financial strategy across one of New Zealand’s largest and most complex government agencies.

The Role

Reporting to the Head of Finance Business Partnering, you’ll lead high-impact initiatives across a diverse portfolios, providing trusted advice to Deputy Secretaries, Ministers, and senior leaders. You’ll drive financial strategy, long-term planning, and performance uplift, while mentoring a high-performing team of Finance Business Partners.

This is a role for someone who thrives on complexity, collaboration, and influence – someone who can operate across boundaries, lead without formal authority, and bring clarity to strategic decisions.

• Leading financial strategy and long-term planning across business groups
• Delivering monthly dashboards and strategic papers to senior leadership
• Supporting appropriations, investment decisions, and external accountability documents
• Building capability across the Finance & Performance group
• Driving innovation, continuous improvement, and a high-performance finance culture

About you

You’ll be a seasoned finance leader with deep experience in large, complex environments – ideally within government or the broader public sector. You’ll bring:

• CAANZ (or equivalent) qualification and a relevant tertiary degree
• Proven ability to lead through influence and deliver outcomes across diverse stakeholder groups
• Advanced analytical capability and commercial acumen
• Exceptional communication skills – able to distil complexity into clear, actionable insights
• A collaborative, pragmatic style and commitment to public service values

You’ll be part of a team that values innovation, inclusion, and authentic Treaty partnerships and you’ll help shape the financial future of a ministry that’s central to New Zealand’s economic and social wellbeing.

If you\'re interested, hit apply or reach out to [e-mail] for more information, a JD or a confidential chat.

Ref 130866

Hi I\'m Peter, I manage this role. See more of my jobs here.