Madison Recruitment is partnering with a large infrastructure organisation that is investing heavily in the delivery and governance of its capital programme portfolio. As part of a broader transformation initiative, an opportunity has arisen for an experienced finance leader to establish and lead a newly created Project Accounting function.
This is a unique contract opportunity for someone who enjoys building capability, embedding robust financial controls, and partnering closely with business leaders to improve visibility, governance, and decision-making across significant capital investment projects.
About the Opportunity:
Reporting into a senior finance leadership team, you will be responsible for designing and embedding project accounting practices that support effective capital programme delivery. Working across a complex portfolio of projects, you will drive financial performance through accurate forecasting, cost assurance, governance reporting, and commercial insight.
You will also play a key role in shaping the operating model for the project accounting team, strengthening financial frameworks, and supporting project and programme leaders with high-quality financial information and decision support.
Key Responsibilities:
- Establish and lead a fit-for-purpose Project Accounting function.
- Build capability, provide leadership, and mentor project accounting professionals.
- Deliver robust forecasting, budgeting, cashflow reporting, and cost management across a major capital portfolio.
- Provide financial assurance and challenge to programme and project teams.
- Oversee capital accounting activities and ensure strong financial governance.
- Develop and enhance reporting frameworks to support executive and governance decision-making.
- Monitor project financial risk, contingency utilisation, and change impacts.
- Drive continuous improvement in financial controls, processes, and reporting.
- Support the optimisation and implementation of project and portfolio management systems.
About You To be successful in this role, you will bring:
- CA, CPA, or equivalent professional qualification.
- Significant experience within project accounting, capital programme finance, project controls, or infrastructure finance environments.
- A proven ability to establish, lead, or transform project accounting or finance functions.
- Strong expertise in forecasting, cost management, financial controls, governance reporting, and capital accounting.
- Experience partnering with senior stakeholders to influence investment and delivery outcomes.
- A collaborative leadership style with the ability to build credibility across both finance and operational teams.
- Experience within infrastructure, utilities, engineering, construction, transport, or other asset-intensive sectors.
- Exposure to project management and portfolio systems such as Oracle Primavera Cloud, Aconex Cost, Infor LN, or similar platforms will be highly regarded.
What’s in It for You?
- Opportunity to build and shape a newly established function.
- Exposure to one of New Zealand’s most significant capital investment programmes.
- High-impact leadership role with strong visibility across the organisation.
- Collaborative and future-focused working environment.
- Opportunity to leave a lasting legacy through improved financial governance and performance.
Apply Now:
If you’re an experienced finance professional with a passion for project accounting, capital programme environments, and building high-performing teams, we’d love to hear from you.
For a confidential discussion, please contact: Adam Napper or Heather Kerr at Madison Recruitment on 09 303 4455 or email: adam.napper@madison.co.nz / heather.kerr@madison.co.nz
