As the New Zealand Lead, you will be responsible for establishing and leading the local finance function for a growing lender entering the New Zealand market. Acting as the key finance representative on the ground, you’ll partner closely with the interim CEO and UK-based finance team to help build robust financial controls, funding processes and reporting frameworks that support a rapidly growing lending portfolio.

This is a unique opportunity for someone with experience in banking, lending, financial services or treasury-focused finance roles who understands the operational and financial mechanics of managing loan books, funding facilities, cashflows and regulatory requirements.

You will play a critical role in shaping the finance function from the ground up, ensuring strong governance, liquidity management and financial oversight are embedded as the business scales.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all day-to-day finance activities for the New Zealand business
• Establish and maintain robust financial controls and governance frameworks appropriate for a lending environment
• Develop management, financial and regulatory reporting across lending activities, funding arrangements, liquidity and balance sheet management
• Monitor cashflow, liquidity positions and funding requirements, ensuring adequate oversight of capital and working capital needs
• Support the management of lending-related reporting, portfolio performance analysis and funding metrics
• Work closely with UK finance stakeholders to implement finance processes, controls and reporting standards within the New Zealand operation
• Liaise with external providers responsible for payroll, accounting, taxation and compliance obligations
• Oversee general ledger integrity within Xero and ensure reporting structures support business and regulatory requirements
• Assist with operational finance activities, including accounts payable and transaction oversight where required
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, strengthen controls and build scalable finance processes as the organisation grows

About You:

We’re looking for an experienced finance professional who understands the financial, operational and reporting requirements of a lending or financial services business.
Ideally, you will bring:

• Experience within banking, financial services, commercial lending, asset finance, non-bank lending, fintech lending or similar regulated environments
• Strong understanding of liquidity management, cashflow forecasting, funding facilities, balance sheet management and financial controls
• Experience supporting or reporting on lending portfolios, loan book performance or funding structures
• Demonstrated capability in management reporting, financial governance and regulatory reporting
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work effectively across multiple jurisdictions and senior leadership teams
• A pragmatic, hands-on approach and willingness to operate across both strategic and operational finance responsibilities
• CA, CPA or equivalent qualification
• The ability to work independently and thrive in an environment where systems, processes and frameworks are still being established

What’s on Offer:

• A rare opportunity to build and establish the finance function for a growing lender entering the New Zealand market
• The chance to influence financial strategy, controls, funding processes and governance from day one
• Christchurch-based role
• Full-time hours for an initial six-month contract
• Competitive hourly rate based on experience

If you’re excited by the opportunity to help build a lending business from the ground up and have experience in banking, finance or lending environments with a strong understanding of funding, cashflow management and financial controls, we’d love to hear from you.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, so we encourage early applications.