Interim Head of Finance Strategy Execution

\n Head of Finance Strategy Execution - 12 month contract\n

Location: Newmarket - Teed
Time Type: Full time
Job Requisition ID: JR100546
End Date: July 31, 2026

Role Overview\n

Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, Heartland Bank Limited, you'll be responsible for driving the delivery of the Group strategy across New Zealand and Australia, leading a portfolio of enterprise-wide transformation initiatives that shape the future of Finance at Heartland.

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This is a role for someone who enjoys operating at the intersection of strategy, transformation, governance, and execution, partnering closely with executive leaders to deliver meaningful organisational change.

Why this opportunity stands out\n

You will:

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• Partner directly with the CFO and Finance Leadership Team on strategic priorities.
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• Lead high-profile transformation programmes influencing the future direction of Finance across the Group.
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• Drive initiatives spanning Finance, Treasury, Data Analytics and Procurement.
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• Play a key role in one of New Zealand's most significant banking transformation environments.
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• Help shape Heartland's digital evolution
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• Gain exposure to complex regulatory, operational and organisational change across both New Zealand and Australia.
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Key Responsibilities\n

Strategic Leadership & Transformation

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• Lead the delivery of the Group Finance transformation portfolio, ensuring alignment with Heartland's strategic objectives.
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• Partner with the CFO and Finance Leadership Team to shape, refine and execute the Finance strategy and transformation roadmap.
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• Translate strategic priorities into clear, actionable programmes and measurable outcomes.
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Programme & Portfolio Delivery

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• Provide end-to-end oversight of multiple concurrent transformation initiatives.
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• Ensure programmes are effectively governed, appropriately resourced, and delivered to regulatory and business expectations.
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• Coordinate Finance participation in enterprise-wide initiatives, ensuring clear ownership, accountability and delivery.
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Governance, Risk & Regulatory Excellence

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• Establish robust governance, reporting and performance frameworks.
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• Maintain oversight of programme risks, dependencies and delivery outcomes.
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• Support adherence to key regulatory and control requirements, including RBNZ, APRA, BS11 and broader risk frameworks.
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Capability & Continuous Improvement

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• Lead initiatives that modernise Finance, including automation, process optimisation and data-driven decision-making.
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• Drive prioritisation and resource allocation across competing initiatives.
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• Build organisational capability to support Heartland's future growth aspirations.
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Leadership

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• Lead and develop a high-performing team through a period of significant change and growth.
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• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
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• Act as a trusted advisor and influential leader across the Finance function and wider business.
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What will set you apart\n

We are looking for an accomplished transformation leader who combines strategic thinking with strong delivery capability.

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Your experience

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• Extensive experience leading large-scale transformation programmes within banking, financial services or other highly regulated environments.
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• Proven experience operating at executive or enterprise level, influencing senior stakeholders and driving alignment across complex organisations.
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• Strong understanding of finance operating models, governance, risk and regulatory environments.
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• Demonstrated success delivering strategic change, business transformation and operational improvement.
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• Experience managing large portfolios of work across multiple streams and stakeholder groups.
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Your leadership style

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You're:

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• A strategic thinker who can translate vision into execution.
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• Comfortable navigating ambiguity and change.
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• Skilled at balancing competing priorities while maintaining momentum.
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• Credible and confident with Executive Leadership Teams and Boards.
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• A collaborative and influential leader who brings people together around a common goal.
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Key Skills

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• Strategic planning and execution
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• Enterprise transformation leadership
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• Programme and portfolio management
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• Executive stakeholder engagement and influence
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• Financial and commercial acumen
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• Regulatory and risk management
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• Change leadership
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• Resource prioritisation and optimisation
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• Data and process improvement
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• Team leadership and capability development
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CA, CPA or equivalent professional qualification is preferred.

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