General Manager Finance and Planning (CFO)

Join us at New Plymouth District Council!

Tūhono mai ki Te Kaunihera-ā-Rohe o Ngāmotu!

Who are we? - Ko wai mātou?

Te Kaunihera-ā-rohe o Ngāmotu - New Plymouth District Council (NPDC) is dedicated to serving our community and enhancing the quality of life for those who live, work, and visit here.

We are guided by the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and are committed to fostering partnerships that respect and celebrate our district's rich cultural heritage.

Through innovation, sustainability and collaboration, we aim to deliver exceptional services and initiatives that support our vision of building a thriving, connected and future-focused district.

At Te Kaunihera-ā-rohe o Ngāmotu, we pride ourselves on being an inclusive and dynamic organisation that values :people, creativity and progress.

The opportunity - Te āheinga

We are seeking a visionary leader for the newly established role of General Manager Finance and Planning (CFO) - a pivotal position within our Executive Leadership Team (Te Ranga Urungi). This permanent, full-time opportunity offers the chance to shape the strategic direction of Council and drive outstanding business performance across Finance, Risk and Integrity and Strategic Planning.

As General Manager, you will provide inspirational leadership that motivates teams and aligns organisational efforts with long-term goals. You'll play a key role in fostering a high-performing, inclusive and collaborative culture, while contributing your expertise and insights to executive-level decision-making.

This is a unique opportunity to influence the future of our district, champion innovation and make a meaningful impact in a dynamic and community-focused organisation.

Key responsibilities - Ngā haepapa matua

• Provide strategic leadership and advocacy to align council-wide objectives and initiatives
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability and excellence to drive performance
• Shape and implement strategies that guide the group and broader council direction

Finance:

• Lead financial strategy to ensure sustainability and value for money
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, reporting and investment fund management
• Ensure strong financial controls, compliance and risk mitigation

Risk and integrity:

• Embed enterprise risk management and uphold legal, privacy and insurance obligations
• Provide oversight of integrity functions to maintain ethical standards and public trust

Strategic planning:

• Lead strategic and district planning to support long-term community outcomes
• Ensure policy development is evidence-based and responsive to change
• Align planning initiatives with council and government priorities

General:

• Build strong relationships with stakeholders and represent the organisation in strategic forums
• Inspire high-performing teams through leadership, coaching and development
• Promote continuous improvement and uphold legislative and employer obligations

Essential skills and experience - Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako

• Minimum 10 years of leadership experience in a complex environment
• Qualified Chartered Accountant
• Experience defining, planning and shaping strategies and initiatives that set direction for the organisation and group
• Well-developed interpersonal and relationship management skills with the ability to positively influence a wide range of individuals
• Viewed as a pragmatic team player, with the ability to demonstrate emotional intelligence and sound judgement, whilst collaborating and cooperating on decisions and initiatives
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills, along with considerable tact and diplomacy
• Practical understanding of central and/or local government
• Demonstrated skills in working effectively and empathically with external stakeholders, communities and iwi/hapū
• Experience working with Kaupapa Māori, competency in Tikanga and a dedication to applying Te Ao Māori lens

Why Taranaki? - He aha ngā hua o te rohe nei?

Taranaki is a region like no other, offering a perfect balance of career opportunities and lifestyle. Nestled between the stunning Mounga Taranaki and the sparkling Tasman Sea, it's a place where you can explore world-class hiking trails, surf pristine beaches and enjoy vibrant arts and culture, all within minutes of each other.

The region boasts affordable living, excellent schools and a strong sense of community, making it an ideal place to live, work and raise a family. Whether you're seeking adventure, tranquillity or a bit of both, Taranaki provides an unparalleled quality of life that will make every day feel extraordinary.

What we offer - Ngā ratonga

At New Plymouth District Council, we aim to create and sustain a truly rewarding workplace environment for our staff.

This includes:

• Solid career pathways
• Learning and development opportunities
• Personal and professional growth
• Our Peoples Package spans five key pillars:
  wellbeing, development, benefits, culture and recognition

Why join us? - Ngā hua o tō hono mai?

We value the wellbeing of our team and provide an inclusive workplace that recognises and rewards your contributions. Together, we're building a better New Plymouth, one step at a time.

Applications close Tuesday, 23 September 2025.

Be part of a council that values people, culture and opportunity.

Me tūhono mai koe kia tautoko i te Ngāmotu o āpōpō!

Te Kaunihera-ā-rohe o Ngāmotu is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and we are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application to assist you through the recruitment process.