Manager Commercial and Financial Partnering

Manager Commercial and Financial Partnering Rich in heritage and proudly known as the Home of Champions, Waipā District is one of New Zealand's fastest-growing districts. Home to thriving towns, strong rural communities, internationally recognised sporting excellence and significant cultural heritage, Waipā continues to attract new residents, businesses and investment. Every investment decision we make today helps shape the infrastructure, services and communities our district will rely on tomorrow. At Waipā District Council, we're proud to consistently punch above our weight. We're focused on delivering smart, financially sustainable outcomes that support our communities today while planning confidently for the future. Local government is evolving as councils respond to growth, increasing infrastructure investment and changing expectations. At Waipā, we see this as an opportunity to innovate, strengthen how we work and build an organisation that is future-focused, commercially astute and community-led. To support this next chapter, we're investing in our Finance leadership team with two complementary senior leadership opportunities. This role works alongside our Manager Finance to help shape Waipā's future. If your strengths align more closely with financial stewardship, governance and statutory reporting, we encourage you to explore that opportunity too. Reporting to the Finance and Commercial Director, the Manager Commercial and Financial Partnering leads Council's commercial and financial partnering function, ensuring financial insight informs the decisions that shape Waipā's future. You'll lead business partnering, budgeting, forecasting, strategic financial planning, commercial advice and organisational performance reporting, providing senior leaders with the insight and challenge needed to make confident, financially sustainable decisions. Working closely with the Executive Leadership Team, senior leaders and elected members, you'll help strengthen financial capability across the organisation while supporting investment decisions, long-term planning and continuous improvement. Partnering closely with the Manager Finance, you'll help build a modern, high-performing Finance function that combines strong financial stewardship with proactive commercial leadership. This is a role where your expertise will influence major investment decisions, strengthen organisational performance and help shape the future of one of New Zealand's fastest-growing districts. Key responsibilities include: Leading Council's Commercial & Financial Partnering team and business partnering function. Coordinating the Long Term Plan, Annual Plan, budgeting and forecasting processes. Providing commercial advice, financial modelling and strategic analysis to support major investment and organisational decisions. Delivering meaningful financial reporting, performance insights and scenario analysis for senior leaders and elected members. Strengthening financial capability and accountability across the organisation through trusted business partnering. Driving continuous improvement across financial planning, reporting and organisational performance. Ko wai koe | About you Great commercial finance is about more than producing reports - it's about helping people make informed decisions, identifying opportunities and influencing better outcomes. You're a commercially minded finance leader who combines strategic thinking with strong relationship-building skills and enjoys partnering with leaders to improve organisational performance. You’ll bring: Chartered Accountant (CA ANZ), CPA or equivalent professional qualification. Significant senior finance leadership experience, ideally within local government or another large, complex and highly regulated environment. Experience leading budgeting, forecasting and strategic financial planning. Strong commercial acumen, financial modelling and analytical capability. Proven ability to influence senior leaders and provide trusted strategic advice. A collaborative leadership style with a continuous improvement mindset. This is a rare opportunity to influence strategic decision-making and help shape the financial future of one of New Zealand's fastest-growing districts while building a modern Finance function alongside an experienced leadership team. Health and life insurance. Additional leave provisions. Flexible working arrangements. Local staff discounts. Offices in both Cambridge and Te Awamutu. Meaningful work that directly supports the future of our communities. Applicants must have the right to work in New Zealand. Applications close: Sunday, 23 August at 10pm. Location(s) Cambridge, Te Awamutu Work type(s) Permanent full-time, Permanent part-time #J-18808-Ljbffr