Head of Financial Control

About the role:

The Head of Financial Control will lead critical financial functions within the Finance Group, ensuring high-quality external reporting, compliance with financial regulations, and strategic financial management. This role works closely with the Chief Financial Officer and other departments to deliver financial services that support Selwyn District Councils objectives and manage financial risks.

Key responsibilities:

Lead and manage the external reporting (finance, tax, and statutory), treasury function, capital and project accounting, and reporting to ensure compliance with key financial regulations.

• Collaborate with business units across SDC to align financial services with strategic objectives and provide commercial insights for decision-making.
• Provide high-quality financial and commercial reporting, analysis, and advice to Heads of Departments, staff, and Councillors, supporting key operational and strategic decisions.
• Partner with the Chief Financial Officer to develop and execute comprehensive financial strategies to maintain financial health and ensure resources are available to meet SDC goals.
• Proactively manage financial risk, developing frameworks and providing advice, solutions, and mitigating actions as necessary.
• Oversee the treasury function, ensuring the proactive management of cash and debt requirements.
• Identify and lead projects that drive efficiencies, automation, or technological improvements in financial information management.
• Ensure financial systems, controls, and processes (including payroll, bank products, and anti-fraud measures) are fit for purpose, safeguarding public funds and assets.
• Oversee and manage payroll operations, including supervising two payroll staff, ensuring the accurate and timely processing of payroll, compliance with relevant legislation, and proper financial controls.
• Lead the preparation of the Annual Plan, Long-term Plan, and Annual Report, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and achieving clean audit opinions within statutory deadlines.

About you:

Our ideal candidate will be a Chartered Accountant (CA) with a proven track record in financial management within local government. You will have strong business acumen and be an exceptional people leader.

You will also:

• ​Have extensive experience (10+ years) in a senior finance role in a large multidisciplinary and complex organisation.
• Be a proactive leader with a strong background in finance and a knack for collaboration.
• Have a strategic mindset combined with the ability to provide actionable insights to our leadership team.
• Be someone who thrives in a dynamic environment and is passionate about driving positive change.

Great work-life balance with flexibility

• Career coaching and development
• Life insurance
• Wellbeing and volunteer leave
• Three days paid leave between Christmas and New Year
• Two weeks paid Partners Leave
• Sick leave from day one
• Continued KiwiSaver contributions during savings suspension
• Discounts with local and national businesses

About us:

Selwyn is New Zealand's fastest growing district. We have a fantastic quality of life, great communities, and a thriving economy. Our Council works actively with residents to provide the services and facilities that help our communities to thrive and grow.

Our head office is based in Rolleston (only 25km from Christchurch), which offers an enviable family lifestyle, outstanding local facilities and an easy drive to the ski fields, rivers and hills that make up Canterbury's stunning landscape.

Our values are important to us and represent the way we work: · Be a good human · Be brave - Think differently · Better together- Make it happen for Selwyn.

We honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and we are committed to working with our Treaty partner to deliver on our obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

If you'd like to play a part in making Selwyn the best place to live, work and play, join us today!