Deputy Chief of NZDM, Operations

Mō mātou | About Us

The Treasury – Te Tai Ōhanga is the Government's lead advisor on economic policy, macroeconomic and fiscal strategy, and the management of the Crown's finances.

The New Zealand Debt Management (NZDM) division sits at the centre of this work. NZDM executes the Government's borrowing programme, manages the Crown's cash and liquidity portfolio, and provides treasury services to departments and Crown entities. Every transaction it settles, every control it operates, and every figure it reports contributes to the integrity of the Crown’s debt management and treasury services activities and wider fiscal objectives. Excellence in these operations is critical for maintaining the confidence of financial markets, auditors, and Ministers at the centre of New Zealand's public finances.

Kōrero mō te tūranga | About the Role

This is a senior leadership role with true responsibility and influence. Leading through a team of Managers and senior specialists, as Deputy Chief of NZDM, Operations, you will support the Chief of NZDM to create a high-performing, collaborative division. You will set direction and create a well-connected function across risk, accounting and transactional services. The role demands a strategic mindset, connecting the day-to-day work of operations, control and risk to the wider objectives of NZDM and the Treasury. You will deputise for the Chief of NZDM, representing NZDM to auditors, regulators, Ministers, and service providers when required.

You will oversee the financial controls, settlement processes, and risk settings behind billions of dollars of Crown transactions, and the accuracy of the figures that feed into Crown reporting and the Government's Economic and Fiscal Updates. You will need the judgement to make sound calls on matters of real consequence, while maintaining a control environment that maintains the integrity of NZDM’s operations.

In this role you will:

• Lead through Managers and senior staff, setting direction and building a high-performing, well-connected operations function across risk, accounting and transactional services.
• Deputise for the Chief of NZDM, including representing NZDM to external stakeholders.
• Bring intellectual leadership and a strategic perspective to the team's policy and framework reviews and project agenda, ensuring priorities align with NZDM and Treasury objectives.
• Oversee accounting, settlement and reporting services across debt management and treasury services, including accurate and timely Crown reporting and Economic and Fiscal Updates.
• Ensure NZDM's key financial controls, including payments, reconciliations, cash management and daily reporting, are resilient and fit for purpose.
• Oversee risk management across debt management and corporate treasury service functions, keeping risk aligned to the Crown's risk appetite.
• Own NZDM's Business Continuity Planning and implementation.
• Build and maintain senior relationships with registry and custodial service providers, auditors and regulators alongside strategic relationships across the Treasury and the Crown.

Ō pūmanawa | About You

This role calls for depth of leadership experience, not just technical knowledge. You will bring:

• A track record leading operational, control or risk management functions in a complex financial or public sector environment, including leading through other leaders, and establishing the culture and direction for Managers and specialist teams.
• A strategic mindset, with the ability to set direction and priorities for a function and connect its work to the wider objectives of the organisation.
• Deep understanding of financial instruments and their accounting and risk management implications.
• A future-focused view, and ability to provide respectful challenge of ideas, to adapt, innovate and build the capability Treasury will need in the future.
• A demonstrated ability to make sound, well-considered decisions on matters of real consequence, while communicating clearly and holding the confidence of others.
• A track record of building trusted, influential relationships with senior stakeholders.
• Well-developed communication skills, with experience tailoring complex information to different audiences.
• A graduate or postgraduate qualification in accounting, finance, economics or a related discipline. Membership of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, or comparable, is desirable.
• Experience in, or an understanding of, public sector accountability and reporting environments is an advantage.
• A commitment to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Ko ngā hua | What We Offer

This is a position of genuine influence and consequence. The integrity of the Crown's debt management and treasury operations rests on the function you lead, creating the opportunity for you to make a critical contribution to New Zealand. Alongside that scope and responsibility, NZDM offers flexible work arrangements, five weeks of annual leave, and genuine investment in your ongoing development.

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